NHS returning to work after maternity leave - can I just work bank?

laughing_laura

pinkshoes wrote: »

If they cannot offer you part time, then just return for 3 months full time then leave.

You need to compare childcare costs for those 3 months against your take home pay, and whether this loss would be more than you had to pay back.

Do they not give you the option to have the additional maternity pay as a lump sum once you have returned for a sufficient amount of time?

I have just completed my 2nd year of teacher after having twins. I work part time and take home about £40 a week after childcare and petrol! Keeps me sane!

Could you go back full time for the 3 months then look for alternative part time roles?

Thank you that is a good idea - I have annual leave straight after my maternity so wouldn't even have to do the full 3 months so could probably manage to just stick it out at full time if needed.

I understand what you mean, I am looking forward to spending time at home with our baby but at the same time I know I need to work not because of finances but because of my sanity and own development. I worked hard to get here so don;t want to give it all up.

I've been told they don;t do any maternity pay splitting and that I have to take it as it is given which I thought was odd as I know people in other trusts who have had it split over 9 or 12 months etc but I have been told that is discretionary and can not be accommodated.

laughing_laura

Comms69 wrote: »

I would just ask your employer -


but doesn't your husband go part time? Certainly I don't think one employer, with enhanced payments etc. should have to 'suffer' for the benefit of another employer

He would be happy to go part time if it was financially viable but it isn't. He gets paid a lot more than me, we wouldn't manage on him being part time.

I am not saying my employer has to suffer, if they can't support part time then I will have to suck it up and move on elsewhere. i don't see the harm in looking into what my options are though?

BrassicWoman

can he get a few weeks leave to help you hit the 3 months?

silvercar

Save all the annual leave you have and will acquire while on maternity leave and then utilise it to avoid childcare costs as much as you can.

For the first 3 months, you should be comparing pay+enhanced maternity pay vs childcare costs to decide if it is worth returning to work for those 3 months.

laughing_laura

Flugelhorn wrote: »

quite a few years ago ( so things may have changed) I quit a full time job in the NHS as they would let me go back part time after mat leave

I was told that if I did ANY job in the NHS for the three months, even half a day a week (not sure of the minimum) then I kept all the occupational mat pay. So that is what I did.

Yes I know someone who went back and did one 8 hour shift a week after she had her baby. I would like 24 hours ideally but may have to look around for another position.

laughing_laura

BrassicWoman wrote: »

can he get a few weeks leave to help you hit the 3 months?

He is allowed to take up to 14 days at a time so yes I think we could see about him taking that to help a little bit