jobseeking whilst on maternity leave - what to tell agencies/prospective employers

an9i77

tomtontom wrote: »

Playing the game is fine as long as it doesn't impact on others. Is the ex employer going to recruit another woman of child bearing age now? Not if they can help it.

If the OP didn't think they were doing anything wrong then they wouldn't be looking to twist the truth whilst seeking new work. And when the truth comes out, no doubt she'll threaten them with a tribunal. She sounds like a nightmare employee!

Yes, that's me! Nightmare and proud. If I stand up for my rights, rights which this government have given me because they think I deserve them, and that gives employers nightmares, then great.

an9i77

tomtontom wrote: »

It is quite clear that you don't care about anyone but yourself. Good luck, karma will catch up with you one day.

Well, I certainly don't care about my employer MORE than myself, which is what you're suggesting. Plenty of people I do care about more than myself. My family for example. Family who are dependent on me to earn a living to support them...

comeandgo

Exactly when along the interview line would you admit you are in fact on maternity leave? If I was going to employ you I would find your lack of truthfulness worrying. What else would you hide/omit to tell in the future.

an9i77

comeandgo wrote: »

Exactly when along the interview line would you admit you are in fact on maternity leave? If I was going to employ you I would find your lack of truthfulness worrying. What else would you hide/omit to tell in the future.

Why would I need to admit it at any stage?

bluenoseam

You're also being less than honest when it comes to prospective employers - which is reason enough for them to enforce a gap in employment by sacking you. But the same can be said for anyone at any time in the first two years, you know that though.

I disagree with the premise that you're giving people on maternity leave a bad name though, you're doing what's best for your family, is it ideal, no, but ultimately it is what it is. Just don't go expecting current employer to be anything other than silent when it comes to references, after all you're effectively stuffing them which could turn them very nasty very quickly. I'd also be concerned with your notice period with regards to what notice you have to give of your intent not to return to work!

getmore4less

How are you going to handle notice start date?

SMP stops if you start a re new job.

any contractual maternity issues like payback clauses.

Expect the reference might mention something.

an9i77

The reference is a tombstone reference, will just say dates, title and reason for leaving (resignation)
I'm on a month's notice whether I'm on mat leave or not, so don't see why this would affect anything. i'll just resign with notice as I would have done if not on mat leave.
I know SMP stops but I only have two months left, it would stop if I returned to my current job now so not sure what significance that has? no payback clause as only SMP.

getmore4less

an9i77 wrote: »

The reference is a tombstone reference, will just say dates, title and reason for leaving (resignation)
I'm on a month's notice whether I'm on mat leave or not, so don't see why this would affect anything. i'll just resign with notice as I would have done if not on mat leave.
I know SMP stops but I only have two months left, it would stop if I returned to my current job now so not sure what significance that has? no payback clause as only SMP.

just covering the angles,

You probably also know that you may also be due full pay during notice even if still on maternity.

Conveniently they can't have you take the accrued unused holiday so have to pay that also.

an9i77

I thought the pay during notice only applied when being made redundant - as technically it wouldn't be a redundancy but a resignation I'm not sure that would apply. Although happy to be proved wrong on that one.

getmore4less

Employment act, applies on resignations as well