I am currently 36 weeks pregnant and gearing up to go on maternity leave at the end of the month.

Question

I recently came across a new job oppurnity that would be better for my family. I'm at the finishing stages of interviewing with this new company and I am worried that I will find out I got the job while on maternity leave. My question is, what happens to my maternity benefits and how do I go about leaving my current job without issue?

Anonymous · Answer

That is tricky situation. Most companies that offer paid maternity leave have a clause that states you may have to pay back some of the salary that is paid to you while on leave. Companies that are offering extended, paid maternity leave have high expectations when employees return. If the new company wants to hire you, you  may be able to negotiate a signing bonus if you do in fact have to reimburse your previous company.

Anonymous · Answer

Wow, that's a tricky situation -- I'm afraid it depends a great deal on your employers' benefits policy. You are entitled to 12 weeks unpaid leave by the government. But it's likely that if you change jobs while on leave, any paid leave you're currently eligible for will end. Assuming the new company knows you're about to have a baby, can you negotiate a signing bonus from them to cover the cost of your lost leave?

I am currently 36 weeks pregnant and gearing up to go on maternity leave at the end of the month.

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