Working mums!

I’ve got an interview for a new job, my baby is 4 months old and I have 6months full maternity pay at my current job. I was wondering if I got this new job would I be able to say to my current work I want to continue my maternity for another 2 month to get my full maternity package or can my current job just tell me to leave effective immediately as I’ve got this new job coming up? I’m worried that I’ll loose 2 months maternity with my baby and have to return to work earlier than expected (Ps, I also have about 2 months of holiday pay which I was planning on using but the new job may want me to start latest November so that wouldn’t be too helpful)

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Just a head up in case you didn’t know. You’ll have to check your maternity policy with your current job, but if you leave before returning you may have to pay back your maternity pay

I’d ask if your new job will wait for your maternity leave to end before you start. This would also give you time to sort out childcare etc. You’d also have to also abide by your notice period at this current job anyway - I don’t think they’d be able to just tell you to leave.

I can't advise much but I left my job as I had a premature baby and I just mentally wasn't ready to return, anyway I did have to pay back around £200 of my mat pay x

Agreed with Christina, you may need to pay back the full 6 months worth of maternity pay if you leave before returning

Definitely worth looking up your company's policy and your contract. I also think you need to consider the emotional side of a new job and returning back to work that soon, I did this around 6 months and it was really hard. Only you know how you feel about your mat leave / how ready you'll be / how much of a change in stress and responsibility it will be - but it's worth thinking about.

Thank you everyone! There is nothing In my policy that states I have to pay back maternity Just a section on “if you decide not to come back follow normal resignation procedure document” This then just talks about notice periods So I’m hoping I won’t have to pay anything back otherwise I probably won’t be able to leave 😬😬😬