I'm about to do it... nervous!

[mamandedeux]

So I'm due back to work in 3 weeks. DS1 is 4 and DS2 is 11 months. My year is up. In about 5 minutes, I will be calling my boss to tell him I'm not going back. It won't come as a surprise to my employer since I've been very open about my wish to stay home, but now that I'm about to make it official, it's very scary! I'll have to pay back my employer for my mat leave (I'm actually ok with that - this is not a financial decision), lose my pension, forfeit a great job, co-workers....blah blah blah. It just seems like I'm losing so much... I know, I know, what I'm sacrificing is nothing compared with what I'm gaining (time with my boys!)... but still, I have butterflies! Ok, here goes nothing...

[Adaline'sMama]

Yay! Congrats!!!


Well, how did it go?

[JessieBird]

Congratulations!!! That's so exciting!
I'm going to be doing the same thing eventually... Do you by any chance work for the federal government in Canada? (just picking up on a few details you gave) If so, I'd love to compare notes with you re. the payback of mat leave benefits. I'm never sure if I'm getting the right info from my pay advisor. Feel free to PM me if I've guessed right about your job.

[mamandedeux]

I did it! I did it!

Everyone was great about it, no hurt feelings.

Jessie, you guessed right. I'm hearing to hear back and I'll PM you.

Again,

[OkiMom]

Congrats!!! Im glad it all worked out well. Enjoy your time with your babies.

[MountainMamaGC]

You have to pay back mat leave if you dont return to work?! What a terrible system.

Congrats on being a SAHM!

[carmel23]

Yeah! What a wonderful time to do this. You will have a blast.

[Three~Little~Birds]

Originally Posted by Lydiah

You have to pay back mat leave if you dont return to work?! What a terrible system.

Some employers 'top-up' maternity benefits so that you earn close to regular pay for the year that you are off. This is uspposedly contingent upon your return to work with them following your mat. leave. It's a bit of a 'deal with the devil' I had to pay back mine when I did't return back
..but it was still worth it!!


Congratulations, Mama

[Rev1053]

Congrats!

[sanguine_speed]

Originally Posted by Lydiah

You have to pay back mat leave if you dont return to work?! What a terrible system.

It seems to be a rather effective employee retention program. It's a big incentive for federal gov't employees to go back at least long enough to repay their benefits, and once they've got child care set up and are back at work, they're more likely to stay.



Congrats mama!