Maternity Leave
First time single mum here! I work in a school and am starting to think about when I’d like to take maternity leave. I’ve had a lot go on personally and now think that staying off work with my little one until she is 2 and can join me at the onsite nursery at work is best for mine and her wellbeing. Is there any single mums who have chosen to leave their job rather than take maternity leave to be able to stay off for longer with their little one? I’m worried if I would still manage financially and with my rent etc.
Thanks in advance.
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No experience but don't quit your job! You can at least get statutory maternity pay (even if you don't return to work at the end of your mat leave). If you quit before your mat leave stats you'll get nothing (though you will likely be eligible for maternity allowance, which isn't quite as good as SMP).
If your work offers enhanced mat leave, you normally have to return to work for a certain number of weeks (I believe 13 if youre a teacher and your school follows the burgundy book?) after mat leave in order to not pay this back. So if work does pay this to you and you don't intend on returning, make sure you keep the money safe in a separate account ready to be paid back.
Also make sure you go through CMS so you don't take on the full financial burden of raising a child alone. It takes 2 to tango!
Good luck!
Thanks so much that’s really helpful, I’ve still got a while before I have to finalise everything but with everything that’s gone on I want to protect myself and my girl and be prepared
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