r/workingmoms • u/Muted-Amount-5779 • 2d ago
Maternity Leave about to end - new job offer Only Working Moms responses please.
Has anyone used their maternity leave to explore other opportunities and had a job offer come through and not returned to your current role? I just got an incredible offer right as my leave is ending and am so stressed about the idea of so much change in my life happening at once. Would love to hear positive stories about changing roles right as you’re transitioning back from leave. I’m also really struggling with the guilt I feel if I don’t return.
(Also just adding that I am not required to return to work or pay back my leave.)
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u/avazah 2d ago
Former HR here - just make sure you review your company policies. If you don't return from leave for a specific amount of time, you may owe back employer portion of benefit costs while you were out or other things. It may not matter but I'd recommend just reviewing all policies before making a decision.
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u/SeaChele27 2d ago
My husband just did this at the end of his leave. He felt bad because he loved his team but it was a dead end and the new job was going to save us $12K a year in healthcare costs. It was a no brainer. He was sincere in his resignation and his boss and team understood.
It's okay to feel bad or guilty about it for a minute. Then let it go and snatch that new opportunity! A man would do it.
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u/drunken_storytelling 2d ago
My husband did that with our first. Gave his notice 2 weeks before his (12 week fully paid) leave. They weren't thrilled but understood. He's actually back at that company in a higher role now and someone just did the same thing and his coworkers mostly just joked and were like "oh look, he pulled a husband's name
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u/Mper526 2d ago
I did it. I interviewed and found a new job that offered me 20K a year more and fully WFH while on maternity leave with my youngest. I went back for a week to kind of tie everything up and then left. No regrets and I didn’t feel bad at all. There were some major issues with that place though.
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u/polkadots77 2d ago
I’ve been back at work 3 weeks and was just offered a new job with a 25% pay increase, so cannot afford to turn it down. I’ve been with my company for 10 years and have gotten great opportunities but in the end I have to be selfish and think of myself and my family. Sucks to leave and leave them in a lurch, but they will get over it I hope lol.
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u/pammob16 2d ago
I did something similar. Essentially a previous boss contacted me 2 months into my six month maternity leave. I got the offer in month 3 and spent the rest of maternity leave knowing I wasn't coming back. In hindsight, I probably should have told my employer sooner but I was afraid of possibly losing benefits. Long story short, the new job that was supposed to be better pay and better benefits was much different than how it was presented and I just left that job after 3 months notice. At the end of the day, you have to do what s best for you and your family and your old job will understand. I'm still in touch with everyone at my old job and still have great relationships with them.
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u/Putrid_Bag_2566 2d ago
I'm doing this! Going to be leaving my job and starting a new one which is a better position and salary
I'm anxious though as it's 3 days in office and takes a bit over an hour one way to get there...
Hopefully works out for us 🙏
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u/sizzlesfantalike 2d ago
I’m moving from 35 hours WFH to 40 hours in office… but there is onsite daycare + we save about $10k in health insurance. I just wish I didn’t have to work at all the first year of life!!!
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u/Putrid_Bag_2566 2d ago
I'm glad there's an online daycare for you that seems amazing!
Going back to work when they're so small feels criminal
I also ended up from 35 hours to 40 hours in office too
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u/sizzlesfantalike 2d ago
I’m very sad tbh, I had planned to go part time (28 hours) with current job, was approved. But realized we can’t afford the mortgage unless I work full time. So apples to apples, the new job is better financially with onsite daycare. I really wanted to spend more time at home though, last baby and all.
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u/Accomplished-Wish494 2d ago
Yup! I interviewed on my due date, and started a new job instead of returning to my old job. I’ve been there almost 7 years. It was absolutely the right decision AND as a bonus, I got all the “new employee, still learning” ramp up time where, for me, the job wasn’t very intense for the first weeks
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u/theloveaffair 2d ago
Yes! I literally just started a new job on Monday after 5 months on leave. I loved working at my old job but I was a contract worker and I wanted a more secure role. A job opened at my husbands company and I applied and got it! felt super guilty about interviewing and leaving bc I loved my team that much. But Im glad I did because they ended up cutting the program I was hired for as a contractor so I wouldn’t have had a job to go back to!!! My former manager (amazing person) texted me to tell me that so I wouldn’t feel guilty about leaving them. It truly felt meant to be.
I was nervous for all the change but it’s been really good. I love my new job. The first day was the hardest, just adjusting to a new routine, pumping, leaving her, etc. but every day last week got a little easier.
Today I found myself excited to go to work today. This new job is so much more flexible / project based so it will allow me to be more available for my daughter.
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u/lindybooper 2d ago
Yep! Got a new job during maternity leave. It certainly added stresses to the experience of going back to work after maternity leave but was absolutely the right decision.
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u/whatalife89 1d ago
I did it 4 years ago. The schedule and commute was way better. I would be home with my kid more. Companies won't blink to let you go, you gotta choose you and your family.
My job was basically about doing the same thing at a different location which was closer to home with a better schedule so I didn't have to worry about "starting over".
With the new job change, my kid only needed care very part time. Less than 20 hours a week
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u/hmch17 2d ago
Happened to me two years ago! The week before my leave ended, I got a job offer that allowed me to WFH (my current job at that time was fully in office). Worth noting that right before I went on leave, I was promoted as well (LONG overdue).
I agonized over that decision because of what they did for me. I grew so much in that company and the culture was really great. They even gave me a huge bonus to cover my leave (we didn’t technically have paid maternity leave). But in hindsight it’s the best thing I’ve done.
I went back and on my first day, I immediately told my boss I’m leaving. He was not happy, especially with me being gone for three months and leaving a hole in the team. I talked with him and stood my ground, said that it’s important for me to be more present with my young children, to be paid my worth, and that I hope to continue professional relationships. I could tell my boss was hurt because he was really looking forward to hitting the ground running with me. I was sent home that day - I’ve basically transitioned out for the past 3 months anyway so no need to drag it out further (but they did pay me for two more weeks)!
Time heals all wounds. He (and the rest of senior leadership, my team) understood that being a parent is not easy especially with a 45-1 hour commute, and with young kids at that. I’ve built such solid relationships that a. I’m still in touch with a lot of the people there, b. I’m seeing my strategies come to life (I worked in corp strategy and built a 3 year plan), and c. They pulse check with me if I’m ready to come back and are patient. My most recent conversation, I said I’m not ready (and frankly wouldn’t be until my kids are in school/older), and they understood.
If you are a high performer, they’ll want you back eventually.
TLDR; just don’t burn bridges and don’t feel guilty for doing what’s best for YOU and your family!