Quitting While on Maternity Leave?

[Anonymous]

I'm a fed, currently on maternity leave. I am 80% sure I don't want to go back. Before baby, I was certain I would keep working. I think I am changing my mind. I'm not sure how to approach my office if I do decide not to go back. Has anyone been in this situation or been in an office where someone quit while on maternity leave or shortly after returning? What worked well or poorly? I assume the sooner I make up my mind an tell my office the better as that would give them more time to find a replacement.

[Anonymous]

It will work out poorly. You need to go back for a few months before you quit, or you will not be able to get a good reference.

[Anonymous]

It happens, but it's a shitty thing to do.

[Anonymous]

Just resign in the usual way. Most people totally understand. It happens.

[Anonymous]

It happens all the time. Check your benefits first -- but nobody will be too surprised.

[Anonymous]

You might have to repay benefits

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just resign in the usual way. Most people totally understand. It happens.

Yup. Happened with me too. I fully planned to return full time but it's amazing how things change when you're IN the situation. I did go back but resigned within a few months, so technically not on leave but not that long after. And frankly when i showed up for work after leave my bosses seemed shocked. It's like they expected I'd change my mind. I remain close with them and they have genuinely supported my decision to take some time away, and wouldn't have held it against me had I made that decision earlier. At the end of the day we're human and sometimes our priorities shift. Some people will understand that, some won't. I wouldn't give a flip about those who don't. There is a professional life to be had after motherhood, should you choose to stay home (and choose to return to the workforce). Don't let pleasing others stand in the way of what you feel is right for your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It happens, but it's a shitty thing to do.

How is this shittier than quitting under other circumstances?

[Anonymous]

I went to quit and was offered a very part time schedule. Worked out amazingly well for me.

[Anonymous]

I did it. I got a new job while on maternity leave. Several people before me did it, too. The place I worked was not very family-friendly (80 weeks for three months of the year, mandatory weekend work, no option to take work home after hours, etc.) Amazingly, they've become more family friendly over the past 10 years, and their retention rate has gone up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It happens, but it's a shitty thing to do.

How is this shittier than quitting under other circumstances?

Because you're taking advantage of maternity leave policies that exist assuming you're coming back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It happens, but it's a shitty thing to do.

How is this shittier than quitting under other circumstances?

Because you're taking advantage of maternity leave policies that exist assuming you're coming back.

But not as a fed, there is no maternity leave per se. OP would be using accrued sick leave (so time she earned like any other non-pregnant employee) and unpaid leave. Not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a fed, currently on maternity leave. I am 80% sure I don't want to go back. Before baby, I was certain I would keep working. I think I am changing my mind. I'm not sure how to approach my office if I do decide not to go back. Has anyone been in this situation or been in an office where someone quit while on maternity leave or shortly after returning? What worked well or poorly? I assume the sooner I make up my mind an tell my office the better as that would give them more time to find a replacement.

Congratulations, OP. You're doing the right thing for your child. I admire you.

And no, you will not need to pay anything back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It happens, but it's a shitty thing to do.

How is this shittier than quitting under other circumstances?

Because you're taking advantage of maternity leave policies that exist assuming you're coming back.

Maternity leave doesn't exist. She's taking annual leave and possibly a short term disability leave.

If companies actually had generous maternity leave then fewer women would be forced to do things like this. There's a huge difference between going back at eight weeks and going back at six months.

[Anonymous]

OP here. PPs are correct I'm using a combination of annual leave, sick leave, and leave without pay. I think I'll end up deciding not to return to work, but every time I get really close to making that decision I get stuck on how to start that conversation with my office! I don't want to burn bridges. It is a good place to work and I would like to go back to work after a few years. I feel bad about plans being in place to cover my position for 3 months. It would have been easier for them if I'd quite before the baby.