Maternity leave and what to do afterwards

Hi all, am currently on maternity leave with twins. I am more than likely taking the 16 weeks additional time off at the end also. I am not getting paid any top up from employer. I am wondering firstly on annual leave and bank hols. Do I get paid for them at the end of the 26 weeks and do I have extra time of as a result. Say for example I have 5 bank hols. Do I get a week wages and also the time off? and same with annual leave?


Then at the end of the 16 weeks am undecided whether or not I will go back at all or will I ask for part time? (which I may or may not get) I am thinkin full time work would be too much as its an hour commute each way. Other option not go back and maybe look for part time nearer me which would probably harder to get?

Is there tax benefits by takin the addional 16 weeks even if I decide not to go back?

Really confused what to do. any advice much appreciated.

maternity leave and unpaid maternity leave must not have breaks between them so you cannot take holidays and then unpaid leave you can take unpaid leave and then holidays

You need to do your sums about going back to work full time or at all. Start with the cost of childcare, then see how much your commute to work costs and see how it compares against your salary.

Secondly, if you are married, your husband should be able to take some of your tax allowances if you don't go back to work, that means he get's paid more after tax

Thirdly you'll find if you are not working, you'll actually spend less as you won't be buying the cups of coffee/sandwiches/lunch out etc.

Ultimately you need to figure out if you can survive on your other halfs salary and the Childrens allowance and €1000 per head you get from the government

Have to say, Mrs Sox took a 3 year carerr break last year after we had our first, best thing she ever did as all 3 of us are far more relaxed then having to run around trying to get home for the childminder

Is a careeer break an option for yourself

Best of luck with it all

Is there anything in your employment contract of employment about returning to work following Mat leave. If your employer is paying while on Mat leave it is likely that there are some conditions about returning to work for a specified time

Black Sheep said:

Is there anything in your employment contract of employment about returning to work following Mat leave. If your employer is paying while on Mat leave it is likely that there are some conditions about returning to work for a specified time

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Certainly in the case of my own wife, she was on paid maternity leave for 24 weeks, then unpaid for 8 weeks and then she took her 3 year career break. There is absolutley nothing in her T&Cs or in those of my own company obliging an individual to return to work after paid maternity leave

Sandrat thanks for that I was unaware that I must take the unpaid leave after the maternity. Mpsox career break is not an option. was your wife entitled to her holiday pay when on maternity? Blacksheep as I mentioned in my initial thread am not been paid by my employer while on maternity.


I have done my sums and I either go back two day a week or not at all.

So my question now is when should I ask for part time? Should I wait until end of additional weeks? if not given then I will have to hand in notice. when should I do this without losin any entitlements? Am I still entitled to the missed holiday pay?

Ooops! Sorry I misread your initial comment about employer top-up. That little word "not" escaped me.
Apologies
BS

you are entitled to all annual leave and public holidays that occur during your maternity leave both paid and unpaid. You are to be treated as if you have been in work for the duration when it comes to this.

I plan on taking my full 26 weeks paid, 16 weeks unpaid and then my holidays from 2008 before going back to work in April when I will still have all my 2009 holidays left. I then intend on taking one day annual leave and my husband will take one day parental leave per week off. That only means 3 days childcare to pay for. In order to keep your prsi stamps up if you take unpaid leave you need to get your employer to fill out a form when you return to work saying you were on unpaid maternity leave.