Voluntary redundancy and trying for baby!

Peaz_2

Cross posted on jobseeking but no replies so thought I'd try here!

I am after some advice but this is quite a long post so please bear with me.

We are in the process of trying to get pregnant with our second child. It took me 18 months for us to fall pregnant with our son as my cycles are really irregular. Last one was four weeks, and I am going into the seventh week and still waiting for this cycle! It may happen, it may never happen.

I currently work part time, and my mum looks after my son.

We’ve been offered the opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy. Its not guaranteed but if they agree it it, there is no right of appeal so I can’t apply, ‘just to see’. One condition is that the role must not be replaced for two years. Since I have been here, there has always been two admin officers and a senior one. When I returned after maternity leave, they created a part-time admin role for me, so I think that they will not need to replace me and therefore give me the redundancy.

Its six months, tax free –which will be about £4300. I am looking at part-time jobs and at the moment I can see three- one is a two day job, same pay. The other is a three day job with the same company so more money but only just. I’d have to put my son in childcare for one day if I do three days, and get a cleaner (I am stuggling with housework, two days at work and looking after a 15 month!) The third job- the salary is as much as I was getting for 5 days so financially we’d be so much better off. We’ve recently moved and have a huge overdraft, plus we have money on the credit card and we owe quite a bit. We can then use my salary to pay off the debts, and use the redundancy to do some much needed renovations. The third job however, is a 10 month contract. IF I get pregnant I won’t be entitled to SMP. OH wants to continue trying to get pregnant as I’m 33 soon and I had originally said we will stop at 34 (hated being pregnant and hated giving birth. Selfish, I know but that’s a whole different subject). So in any case, IF I get pregnant and I take the first or second job I might not be allowed to SMP anyway.

If I stay here and get pregnant, I will be entitled to SMP and maternity pay, but the redundancy package is so good.

I’ve looked into Maternity Allowance which I sort of understand but I can’t grasp the test period thingy. But if I get MA, its only about £100/month shy of what I would get in maternity pay if I stayed here. We could do it.

I might not get pregnant ever, and if I stay I would be passing up an opportunity to clear debts/do our house up. OR I might get pregnant and we could potentially struggle if I don’t get Maternity Allowance.

Has anyone been in the position? Can anyone help with the ‘test period’ of MA? What would you advise? Part time jobs are few and far!!

Oh, and I love my job! Its relaxed and the people are great. Saying that, my friend has gone from banking to working in the same industry as me and she is getting paid more even though I have worked in this industry longer! I know its not all about the money, but the third job is incredibly tempting!!