My husband and I have almost decided that I will now stay at home with our two children (beneficial for the family and more economical). I'm currently on maternity leave from my job - how do I tell them that I won't be coming back to work now? When I left for my maternity leave I was sure I was going to go back to work. I'm also worried about not being available to train someone new, as you would be if you gave them 2 weeks notice. Also how much notice on maternity leave do I give them (my maternity leave currently in the FMLA non-paid leave). Has anyone been through this situation?
Hello - what kind of work and what town do you live in? (I'm looking and not employed now)
You have to always be honest with your employer - you KNOW they are wondering your decision being a new mom again. You can always come in to work for a few hours to train - it's not difficult and most employers understand :)
I wish you the best.
The same thing happened to me. I loved my job and it really broke my heart to leave, but I just couldn't tear myself away from my baby. Although I do miss work, I don't regret my decision. I took my baby up to my office about two weeks before I was scheduled to go back and introduced him to everyone and stopped by my boss's office at that time and spoke to him. I told the truth about how I felt and apologized for not giving more notice. I also made them an offer to work part time if they wanted; I also offered to go back in to train someone whenever they found a replacement. My boss actually tried pretty hard to get them to allow me to work PT, but they wouldn't go for it. They did consider my end date to be that day - not from the beginning of my FMLA leave. What they ended up doing was to have me sign up through the temp agency that the company used and when they found a replacement I went through them to go back in and train that person. They basically converted my old salary to an hourly rate and paid me that. It seems silly to me that they used the temp agency since they obviously had to pay them more, but I guess they just found it easier to have me quit and then be a temp rather than change status. Anyway, I think if you give them as much notice as possible, that is the right thing to do. Write your resignation letter, but try to go in person and tell them and give it to your boss - just to be professional about it. And definitely at least make an offer to go back and train someone, especially if you did a lot of things that others don't know how to do, as was the case with me. Congratulations on your decision.
I guess I have been in the same situation, though my company was not understanding at all. I worked for them for over 2 years before I had my first child. My issue was that I did not have daycare and wanted to return PT until something opened up. By part time, I may just one day off during the week so my mom could get her doctor appointments in. My "boss" told me that it was FT or no time at all. She then told me that she had heard I was not returning anyway so she had an ad out for my replacement. I reminded her very curtly that I was on FMLA and did not give her any written notice of leaving so if she replaces me while I was gone, she would be hearing from my attorney. She quickly changed her tune and asked if I could find something in two weeks. I told I would be looking. Well, after that I decided she was not worth my time or commute to work anymore...I had to drive 45 minutes each way to get to work.
I just called her up after one week and said that I was unable to find daycare and would not be returning. She was fine with that..or so she said. I guess I get good referrals from them..not sure since I have been working out of my home with medical transcription since shortly after that time anyway.
In your case, I am hoping your employer is understanding. I would just be honest and tell them that it would be a great financial strain for you to return to work though you had honestly thought it would work out, but after researching daycare rates versus income, it is not going to be so. Tell them you feel awful about such short notice but offer to come in for a bit to train your replacement shortly after your maternity leave ends.
Good luck!
J.
I haven't but since you are out on FMLA (and therefore not obligated to have turnover sessions), I would call your direct report and explain the following (most companies will surely understand):
Due to the cost of childcare + gas vs. current salary, it is just not economical to return. Tell them how much you love them and would like to keep an open door to return if your situation even changed.
Good Luck!
E.
What I did when I decided to stay at home was take my entire maternity leave, then I went back and turned in my two weeks. My mom was able to look after the baby for those last two weeks, so I was lucky. I chose to do that because while on maternity leave, I was still getting paid. My leave was for 8 weeks.
But since you are in the FMLA portion, call your supervisor/manager and explain your decision and ask what the best route to take would be. It's really become normal for moms to decide not to return to work while on maternity leave.
Enjoy it! Best decision to ever make!
I went through a similar situation when our second child was born I decided to stay at home while on maternity leave. I am not sure how big the company you work for is and what their policy is, but I was told by HR to turn in my notice 2 weeks prior to the end of my maternity leave. We had a benefits coordinator at our company who was very discreet and told me exactly how to handle my decision which was very helpful. I just called my manager and setup a meeting with him and told him that I didn't plan to return. In my case, everyone was very supportive of my decision. At our company, a written letter of resignation would have also been acceptable, but I wanted to do it in person (as hard as it was) just in case I decided that I want to go back to work at the same company someday.
