I'm torn, no idea what I should do.

[Maruschke]

Can your hubby work from home one day a week even if you don't return? Perhaps that way you will get a sanity break once a week and he will spend some time with his son .

[Devon]

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions everyone.

Dusty - I think my manager's plan is to offer me a new 12 month contract starting in November, so it would go till November next year. I would have 14 weeks paid leave, then the rest of the contract I would be on unpaid maternity leave. I would need to return before the end of that contract. Although we're appointed from a pool here, which is advertised every 6 or 12 months, so I can just make sure I keep applying and stay in the pool, which would not guarantee me a job, but would give me a pretty good chance.

I'm not sure they'd be keen on letting DH work from home one day a week, he needs all the equipment at work. It would always be worth asking though, you never know what they might be prepared to accommodate.

I think if I do come back I will do one really long day, when bub is with DH, and then will ask if I could do perhaps another half day, and the rest at home. I really don't know how flexible they'll be, but it can't hurt to ask.

At this stage I'm going to keep my options open and see how DH and I feel when our baby is here. Have to see how my mum feels about it too.

Thanks again for your replies.

Devon
xxxx

[sushee]

Devon,

Even on contract you should be able to negotiate having a full year off (I work from state govt, not contract but a lot of my staff were on contract), so between your boss and HR, that option should be given to you. You should call HR and check if this is the case, and if it is, then it's a fait accompli - your boss HAS to do it. I believe permanent employees have the option of taking the 2nd year off as well (I did) but as a contractor, you should be allowed a minimum one year unpaid.

Of course your boss would want you back asap, but don't be pressured into agreeing to anything you may regret. Find out what your rights are (for yourself, don't depend on anyone's second hand information) and then stick to your guns. As a contractor, life can be a bit more precarious, but there is a PSGA for a reason.

Just as background, I came back to work 4 days a week under the PSGA after having almost 2 years off when Charlie was born. I now have agreed to work full-time hours but on priviso that I work one day from home (though this is negotiable and I can make it more days if I wish). I also retained the right to return to part-time hours of my choice in the event working from home doesn't produce the kind of results my boss wants.

Either way I'm covered. And I made sure i was well-versed in all the inas and outs of the PGSA before I sat down with anyone to negotiate.

If you need to chat about it, I'll send you my work number, you can give me a bell.

[onthefly]

Hi Devon
First thing I would say is definitely keep your options open as much as possible, but if you can take leave then do so for as long as you can .
I went back to work when DS was 8 weeks old out of financial necessity. I work from home though so didn't have to put him in daycare, thankfully. DH didn't earn enough to even cover a baby sitter so he is home too as SAHD. It's not an idea situation, but is the best we could arrange. One thing to consider in regards to working from home is that you can't really work full time and look after you baby - it's an either or thing.
That said, a little bit of work after your baby is 6 months (or older) might be good for you - and a great opportunity potentially for your DH and mum to spend time with the little one. It's very differnt to leave your baby with someone you know loves him/her than with a childcare worker (not that they're nasty and unloving or anything, but YKWIM).
Satya - Hope you guys can work something out

[Doing my best]

Hi Devon,

I would say don't commit to anything until bub is here. I was going to go back to work FT before I had DD, but now I don't want to work at all. I did go back p/t when DD was 4 and 1/2 months for financial reasons, then resigned and took time out with DH and DD (a saved for and well earned holiday), and have just started work again p/t. I am hating the thought of working now that I have spent so much time at home, but we need the extra income to keep afloat..

So to summarise my rambling , don't make any decisions now. You don't know how you will feel when bub is here. DH will still have time to bond with bub..

[Devon]

Thanks everyone for your replies

Sushee - Thanks for your advice! I think the problem for me is this clause:

22.11b - An employee employed for a fixed term contract shall have the same entitlement to parental leave; however, the period of leave granted shall not extend beyond the term of that contract.

The way I have read it is that they don't owe me anything past the end date of my contract. They don't even need to offer me another contract after my current one expires in February, but they are probably going to so that I can get my full paid parental leave, which is really quite good of them I think.

I'm definitely going to keep my options as open as possible, and am not going to make a committment to anything, especially before I've even met my baby.

[sushee]

Oh bugger. I didn't realise that that's what it said in the PSGA. That's not fair. I have to admit I hate the use of fixed term contracts in govt, because it means some have less rights than others, but that's my little beef (so don't mind me).

I remember when I had a contract employee under me who was pg, we jumped the 'queue' of contractors to get her permanency prior to her taking parental leave. But I know it's not the 'done thing' in govt. Mind you, now she's back with the dept so it was worth the investment. I hate that we don't seem to value our women enough to give them those sorts of options, and we are prepared to lose them instead.

[Devon]

Sushee - where I is work is really dodgy - almost everyone is employed on fixed term contracts. They're not really supposed to do it - I think if the jobs are there they should be filled permanently.

Can't argue with 'The Man' though, and I am quite happy that they will give me another contract so that I can get all my paid parental leave, they don't need to do that for me.

At least I'm not casual, they don't seem to be entitled to any paid leave at all.