Maternity Leave or Quit???

[Ngala]

I've come to be in a bit dilemma in regards whether to take maternity leave or to just quit my job. I have spoken to DF about it tonight and he has not really helped me!!

The plan was to finish work on the 22nd of June and take 1 month of paid annual leave and then start maternity leave after that. Maternity leave at my company is unpaid.

Now my problem is that I have no intention of going back to my current position as I am going to be working from home doing bookkeeping and DF really doesnt want me to return back to full time work.

I was kinda getting a kick out of giving my boss the false hope that I was going to be coming back - he thinks its going to be early 08!! But we discussed this ages ago when I was 13 wks pg and nothing has been said since then.... Now I am thinking that I should tell my boss my plans so he can find someone permament to fill my position.

If I was to speak to my mum, she would say to take my maternity leave and just leave things open incase I do need to return to work full time after a year. But if I was to return to work full time after the year, I would find a job closer to come as my current position is 40 mins away.

So, what shall I do? Any advice and help would be great!!

TIA

[Karina]

I had the same thoughts as you - I really wasnt planning on going back even though I sort of told everyone there that I am planning on returning.. however, i took my maternity leave anyway, just to leave things open so I *could* go back if I decided I wanted to. I dont really want to, but its really just in case, kwim? I dont want to go back full time, but I would consider going back part time if I needed to. I dont have any work thing that I could do from home. Sorry, that probably hasn really been much help? I mean, if your boss gets someone to come in an fill your position temporarily, when you tell him/her you arent going back, they can always offer that person your old job on a permanent basis... so I wouldnt worry too much about that. Jobs can always be filled.

[Trillian]

Are you in love with your job? I think sometimes the decision can be easier based on that - if you aren't then quit and having the time at home with Avaleigh will let you re-evaluate where your interests are and you might even choose a different career path.

[Willow]

I'd take maternity leave. Leave your options open. You don't know what the next 12+ months are going to bring and having a job to go back to might end up being a godsend. I wouldn't burn your bridges if I were you.

I have two girlfriends who were in the same situation, swore they weren't going back to their old jobs, but life and circumstances get in the way and both of them ended up going back and were grateful they had that option. Doesn't mean you have to stay if you go back, but it's just a safety net.

If you don't go back, you don't go back, but no need to tell them that now.

[Lil MG]

Yep, I'd take the leave. Your entitled to it but not obligated to return so as Willow said, if nothing else, it's a safety net. If life throws you a curve ball, financially or otherwise, you won't be completely stuck. I would rather stick pins in my eye than go back to my job (and it's not even that bad) but I'm taking the leave 'just in case'.

[Ngala]

Are you in love with your job? I think sometimes the decision can be easier based on that - if you aren't then quit and having the time at home with Avaleigh will let you re-evaluate where your interests are and you might even choose a different career path.

Great question Sherie. NO I am not in love with my job. So that is why I am thinking of just quitting and when I do return to work full time I will make sure I am in the field that I want to be (architecture!!)

But everyone has stated a good fact that if I do take the maternity leave, then it will be a safety net if I do need to return back to work after the 12 months. Thanks everyone. I feel like I will just stick to my original plan of taking the maternity leave and seeing what happens after the 12 months

[Muppity]

I would recommend at least waiting until your annual leave was up before telling them because if you take your annual leave you are still entitled to the 17.5% leave loading but if you get it paid out if you leave then you don't get that leave loading. It might not seem like much but over 4 weeks it is almost another weeks pay.

best of luck with whatever decision you make.