Really don't want to go back to work

[Beckyb1991]

Actually terrified of going back to work! My maternity leave will run out mid January when Emilies 8 months old. The thought makes my heart race and makes me shake and sweat. I know it's pathetic but it's really bothering me. I really hate where I work anyway- they treated me terribly when I was pregnant and the thought of going back after 39 weeks off is awful. Also I have no idea how we will afford childcare & we have noone to help us as his mother is useless and my family is hundreds of miles away. I cry all the time about this! I wouldn't know if we'd be entitled to any benefits if I decided not to go back . I'm just at my wits end 😢

 

[CARNAT22]

I'm in a slightly different position (Bee will be older and I don't mind my job and I have childcare sorted) but I feel exactly the same way.

I don't want to leave my baby. She is still weeny and still breast feeds a lot and she still needs ME.

Sadly we rely on my salary (OH is self employed so payment can be dictated by whatever job he is on at the time) so I have to go back.

Every time I think about it, I want to cry.

Maybe someone can explain the practicalities of benefits and what you might receive if you didn't go back? Not sure of you get much as you have effectively 'quit' a job.

Maybe see if you can go back part time and top up with working tax credits? Or look for a new job?

It's so tough and you have my sympathy

X

 

[tinselcat]

Hi becky

I really feel for you, it's a horrible position to be in xx

I'll be going back to a job I didn't like in February and not looking forward to it as I don't want to leave my beautiful baby, although at least they have allowed me to return part-time. Is that an option with you?

Also, hopefully someone else here will be able to advise where to look (there's probably a government website or maybe the CAB might be able to help) but I think it's worth your while finding out what kind of benefits you would be entitled to if you quit?

Another option might be to look for another job which you would like more, and also that might allow you to work part-time?

xxx

 

[JD.Deedee]

Ring tax credits and ask them to calculate how much you'd get in childtax credits, working tax creds ect. you might get enough as a top up. I didn't go back to work because of lack of childcare and me not wanting to work for nursery fees.

 

[kanga86]

Try the entitled to website. You can enter in your joint income and it will work out how much if any benefits you would be entitled to. I work part time outside of hubby's work hours so we don't have to pay childcare. I currently do between 20-28hrs a week. Mon - Fri 7pm-11pm and Sat Sun 5:30-9:30am. Weekend shifts are casual as extra money xx

 

[babyslog]

Kanga what type of Job dk you do?
Im currently PT in an office based job. But ive been there 7yrs, hate it and only returned because i didn't think id fond anywhere else that would accept the days & times i needed to work to fit OHs hours.
An evening or early morning job sounds ideal for me as id really like to hand my notice in after my next Mat leave! Xx

 

[kanga86]

Just cleaning Dani, the evening one is in offices the weekend in a leisure centre. Not glamorous or the best job but it works for us while the boys are young and then I will get my bookkeeping job once they are all in school xx

 

[babyslog]

Just cleaning Dani, the evening one is in offices the weekend in a leisure centre. Not glamorous or the best job but it works for us while the boys are young and then I will get my bookkeeping job once they are all in school xx

Sounds perfect and ideal tbh!

Ill get browsing once im nesr the end of my mat leave and decide what to do xx

 

[Orion]

Just be careful - if you decide not to go back and got more than SMP, the company may have it written into your contract that you have to go back to work or pay some of your maternity pay back

Just make sure you check. You could always go back for the minimum then leave. But it'd be a shame to have to pay money back that you didn't budget for.

 

[babyslog]

Just be careful - if you decide not to go back and got more than SMP, the company may have it written into your contract that you have to go back to work or pay some of your maternity pay back

Just make sure you check. You could always go back for the minimum then leave. But it'd be a shame to have to pay money back that you didn't budget for.

Thanks hun, luckly i know about this already as i get 18wks full pay.
I can decide not to accept it though, so ill see closer to the time and decide before i go on mat leave, if its a high chance of not returning..

As im part time it only works out £200 more than smp anyway as my pay has dropped alot since going PT. so i may opt out. But like you said, could work it back then hand in my notice x

Almost got caught out with this though as i was undecided.manager never told me about it and it was only when i was reading online that i checked my contract xxx

 

[Orion]

If you're not sure, you could claim it and keep it to one side. Then if you don't go back, you've got it ready to pay back. And if you do go back, you've not lost out.

It's when people have every intention of going back, then don't, that get caught out by their contracts.

 

[babyslog]

If you're not sure, you could claim it and keep it to one side. Then if you don't go back, you've got it ready to pay back. And if you do go back, you've not lost out.

It's when people have every intention of going back, then don't, that get caught out by their contracts.

Ueah thats another option! In terrible tho and would spend it lol!

I did read somewhere on the gov website that if hr or management do not mention this and make it clear to you before you start mat leave then apparently u dont legally have toN
I need to find where i read that from though!
I might be wrong xx

 

[Belfa]

I don't know anything about benefits but I remember you not enjoying your job when you were pregnant. I'd definitely look into the benefits side of things but like Kanga, there may be another job you could do that means you don't need to factor in childcare.

My full time pay is okay but I recon if I took some shifts in a pub for example then I may make the same as I would part time in my current job once travel and childcare etc was taken into account.

I've started to do a network marketing job in my spare time and hoping it fills the gap for me x

 

[littlemonkey]

I'm the same as kanga, I'm going back to a job working part time evenings that fits in around my husband's job so I don't have to pay for childcare. I was lucky (if you can call it that!) that my previous post was made redundant while I was pregnant so they pretty much had to find me a suitable role while I was on maternity leave. If you're flexible about the type of work you are willing to do, there are the jobs out there. I'm not going to be doing a job I'd necessarily choose in different circumstances, but the hours are perfect, pay is good for part time and it keeps me in the same organisation with my pension safe etc. I can't complain really.

I go back next week and I am dreading it though! I have to do five weeks training full time which is going to be so tough!

 

[Orion]

If you're not sure, you could claim it and keep it to one side. Then if you don't go back, you've got it ready to pay back. And if you do go back, you've not lost out.

It's when people have every intention of going back, then don't, that get caught out by their contracts.

Ueah thats another option! In terrible tho and would spend it lol!

I did read somewhere on the gov website that if hr or management do not mention this and make it clear to you before you start mat leave then apparently u dont legally have toN
I need to find where i read that from though!
I might be wrong xx

Not sure that'd stand up. You sign contracts etc when you are taken on in a job, and there are numerous bits of paperwork you sign for maternity leave. I'm sure somewhere they'll have covered themselves in writing and it'll be your own responsibility to read what you sign.

 

[babyslog]

If you're not sure, you could claim it and keep it to one side. Then if you don't go back, you've got it ready to pay back. And if you do go back, you've not lost out.

It's when people have every intention of going back, then don't, that get caught out by their contracts.

Ueah thats another option! In terrible tho and would spend it lol!

I did read somewhere on the gov website that if hr or management do not mention this and make it clear to you before you start mat leave then apparently u dont legally have toN
I need to find where i read that from though!
I might be wrong xx

Not sure that'd stand up. You sign contracts etc when you are taken on in a job, and there are numerous bits of paperwork you sign for maternity leave. I'm sure somewhere they'll have covered themselves in writing and it'll be your own responsibility to read what you sign.

Ah i see. Will have to have a dig through it. I signed when i started at 18 and probs wouldnt of paid any attention!