Changing jobs in NHS on maternity leave?

13 messages

Amber-Lous-Mum Platinum member

11/10/2009 at 06:03

I'm just on the look out for a new job to apply for in the NHS for when I finish maternity leave, but at the moment it's just to see whats out there and give me an idea of what I can do.

But Ive spotted a job that is almost perfect and that I really dont want to miss out on. It's permanent (which my current one isnt), only 18.5hrs per week and I have the qualifications and experience to do it plus it's the next pay band up so more money! And it's working for the same NHS Trust that I already work for so from a HR point of view it makes things a lot easier.

I just have no idea where I would stand if I applied for it now. I'm only a week into my official maternity leave and I was hoping to take a year off! But now Ive got all excited about this job as they dont come along very often - being part time and a step up and I really dont want to go back to my old job or work my way up from that job as it's not the career I want (and I dont think it would suit me cos Im not from a nursing background!). So this other job is perfect!

I'm going to apply for it, but I need to find out whether the fact that I'm on maternity leave would put them off offering me the job as I wouldnt be able to start straight away and if it would affect my maternity pay?!

Just wondered if anyone has experience in this or has any thoughts????

Thanks

xax
35+3

hjanea

11/10/2009 at 06:36

Hi A, a few years ago we got a ward manager who was just ending her mat leave and so was still on it when she applied and got the post. Whether the fact that you have only just started would put them off I don't know. But if you went for it and were the best candidate they might be willing to wait for you or get someone temporarily in the meantime. If they weren't able to do that but liked you they may also keep you in mind if something came up nearer the end of your mat leave. It has to be worth applying for-it'll give you something to do now you're a lady of leisure!!LOL!
H.xxx

XXXsohappyXXX Platinum member

11/10/2009 at 08:00

Hi A,

Sorry i don't know the answers to your questions but agree with you and hjanea that you should def apply. I work for the NHS and will be looking for a new job when i'm off so i'm glad you posted this. I know that you are entitled to apply for a new job if u want once on mat leave as you don't have to pay back any mat leave money or go back to your original job as long as you go back and work anywhere in the NHS for at least 3 months following your mat leave.

Keep us posted how it goes xxx

Sunflower81 Platinum member

11/10/2009 at 09:10

I agree, it's worth applying and seeing what happens - in all honesty, I think the fact that you can't start for a long while might put them off, as unfair as that seems - but you never know, if they don't get anyone else suitable they might be willing to wait.

It shouldn't affect your maternity pay I don't think - certainly if you leave at the end of your maternity leave and get another job in the NHS it counts as returning to work, so changing jobs part way through should be the same. If anything, HR might have to do some paperwork to end your maternity pay from your old job and re-do it for your new job, but from your point of view it should be exactly the same. But thinking about it, if they do hold the job for you, you wouldn't have to resign from your current job immediately anyway would you, you could leave it until 4 weeks before you want to start the new one (or however long your notice period is).

Sohappy, you're right about having to go to any NHS trust for 3 months after maternity leave to not have to pay any money back, as long as you're in your new job by 12 months from the date your maternity leave started.

piggypops

11/10/2009 at 11:17

hello

i intend to look for another job in the NHS with a different trust during my materniity leave as i dont want to go back but i am holding off looking until i have been off for 3 of my 9 months for this very reason. i dont want to find an ideal job i cant go for.

it really depends on wether they need cover now or not, if its a new post of covering for someone leaving it may not matter that you are not going back soon. it may take a while to process everything anyway. its certainly worth showing an interest, have you though about giving them a ring and finding out a bit more about it?

becca
27+2

Amber-Lous-Mum Platinum member

11/10/2009 at 11:56

Hiya - thanks for the replies

Great to see a few people are thinking of doing a similar thing! I probably shouldnt have looked quite yet - far too much time on my hands lol!!

Yeah I think it would be worth a shot - closing date end of Oct - 4 weeks to sort out candidates takes us to end of Nov - so maybe interviews in Dec/Jan - then (thinking optimistically if it's good news!) there's all the CRB/Occupational Health checks to go through (again lol!) so that could take a good while anyway.

I only saw the job advertised yesterday, so I will give them a ring tomorrow - find out things like if it's a new post, when they are hoping to get someone started. I do know it's a job share so they already have someone in post doing the other half of the job - which is probably a good thing!

Yeah I think if I didnt want my mat leave to be affected - I would have to hold off on handing my notice in otherwise I'd effectively be leaving work for a few months before starting a new job, Im guessing anyway! Even though I'd be in the new job within 12 months from mat leave start date, there would still be that gap in employment. So it all depends on if they would be willing to wait if I got it. I suppose the other option is to just take less maternity leave!! Not sure how I feel about that though until I have the baby lol!!

I'll see what they say tomorrow when I ring them

xax

piggypops

11/10/2009 at 12:03

as long as you stay in the NHS your pay will not be affected, it may be worth handing in your notice 4 weeks before you are due to return so month 11 if you are taking all 12, or make sure if you hand it in earlier your date correllates with the start date of new job to remain in continuas service and make sure your start date is the day after your last 'working' day (the last working day can be the last day of your maternity leave i belive but it may be best to check with the HR helpline)

annacabana Gold member

11/10/2009 at 13:16

Hello

When I was on maternity I saw a job in the NHS with a different trust that I wanted to apply for. I rang and spoke to the ward manager and she said that they can't discriminate just because someone is pregnant or on maternity leave. She said that if I scored the highest in interview then they would have to offer me the post and I would be able to finish my planned amount of leave. I'm afraid I didn't apply in the end as changed my mind so don't know if this really works in practice. Oh I had 6 months of mat leave left at the time.

AnnaXXXX

KirstyMacey Platinum member

11/10/2009 at 16:33

Hi hun i work for the NHS aswell and will be looking out for jobs when im on mat leave and probably will have a look sooner rather than later but like you hopefully something will come up nearer the time i go back the later the better but the job i want dosent come around very often so have to keep looking.

As someone else has said they cant legally discrimnate you as you are on mat leave or are pregnant but behind closed doors i dont really know if they would employ you/me being that we are taking a year off if you see what i mean. If you do score the highest then technically they should take you on but you will never know either way unless you apply. If you are really the right person and they love you they will be able to wait it just or depends on the ward/department situation at the time and how much in need they are for the position to be filled.

I would def apply as you dont know until you go for the job xx

mammy8787

28/06/2012 at 16:36

Hi as you work in the nhs i have a question im 6 week pregnant and have a job interview for a day job in the nhs and i am wondering if should tell them at the interview or if i get offerd the job do i tell the then can they withdraw a job offer if told them if got offerd the job ?

help please as at the moment i work nights on my own in a care home and i have a 4 year old so this job is ideal as it a day job in a outpatients department

MrsV06

29/06/2012 at 23:43

Hi, Legally, you don't have to tell them until 26 weeks pregnant.... However your maternity leave/pay will be affected as you'll not have worked for the NHS for a year by the time you take maternity leave... May be worth looking into your entitlement at both jobs and weighing up benefits of each?

They cannot withdraw the job offer based on your pregnancy....

Good luck x

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev062pr___.png

Janeyjane84 Silver member

26/02/2013 at 14:24

09/04/2013 at 13:33

Hi,

I have just discovered I am pregnant with my first baby. Total shock and suprise. My situation is interesting. I met and fell in love with my boyfriend 2 months before I was due to reloacte 300miles away to take a promotion. We decided at the time that we hadn't known each other long enough for me to turn down what was the opportunity of a lifetime job wise. (We had only been on a few dates when I had to formally accept the job...) We have had a long distance relationship for 5 months and have stayed very comitted and strong.. acouple of months into my job here, I saw the eact same job advertised in his city. I interviewed for the job and was offered it on a 6 month probabtionary period.... (because I have moved so soon into this post.) I am due to move back and live with boyfriend and start job next month....

Thing is, I found out 3 weeks ago I was expecting. I went to the BPAS clinic and really considered a termination... Having discussed at length with my boyfriend, we have decided to keep the preganancy. i am now 8.5 weeks pregnant. I have not told my new employer yet and will be 14 weeks when I start my new job.

I have worked for the NHS for nearly 6 years without a break in service so believe that I will get NHS contractual Maternity pay. I am in this city for a further month working my notice before I move back. I feel so alone and guilty for being pregnant. I just want to be back with my boyfriend instead of here......

Any advice would be much appreciated,

R x

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