https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:06:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-571184 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:35:34 +0000 lomom 571184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My paid time off will be covered by vacation/sick time so I won't have to pay that back (I'd be paid out upon termination anyway) and the remainer would be FMLA. I'm definitely taking 12 weeks, 4 of which will be paid, so I may tell them after 4 (if we decide before then) so that they can adjust for the projects I have on my plate in August/September (I will, if LO comes on time, return at the beginning of August, if I go back, so they've scheduled me on a few projects to begin in August). I just hate to shock them, but at the same time, DH and I aren't making a decision until we see how it goes with me staying home... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-570906 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:50:56 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 570906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am lucky in that I get a year off for maternity leave. That being said, I am fairly sure that I will not be returning to my current job. Its been my dream to be a SAHM, but since it isn't financially possible, I am considering taking in a few day care kids during the day and staying home that way.<br /> I'm a little nervous to tell my company that I won't be coming back though. Not sure when/how to go about doing that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-570844 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:51:16 +0000 Foodnerd81 570844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: I specifically asked HR about paying back any benefits and at my company, I wouldn't have to, I'd just have to tell them when I decided. She actually said, sort of off the record, that if I decided not to come back I'd be best off waiting until I finished my paid time off and then tell them. My friend's HR told her that even if she told them now that she isn't coming back, she would still get the same amount of paid leave. So it definitely varies by company.<br /> @septemberlove: I would ask your HR department what would happen if you didn't-- I said it like, we are moving, I don't know what the day care situation will be in our new neighborhood, if we were not able to make it work-- and this isn't the plan but just in case-- what would happen, would I have to pay anything back? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-570820 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:25:45 +0000 MamaCate 570820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: an ex-coworker of mine did this and i think letnher supervisor know a few weeks prior to her scheduled return. I believe she had to pay back her short term dsablity payment though as it assues you go back. It was a pain for her team but they hadbalready been working without her and were able to hire a replaccement fairly fast. I do work in nonprofit though so it may be more forgiving. I just wanted you to know it is not unprecedented, good luck figuring out what will be best for your family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-570802 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:04:55 +0000 Foodnerd81 570802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am pretty sure I'm not going back, but like your Dh, I don't want to make a final decision until I am actually home with Lo. Plus I've been at my company for five years and I earned those maternity leave benefits!! My plan is to tell them when my paid leave runs out, which is a few weeks before I would have come back (would have taken extra unpaid fmla). So they will stI'll have a few weeks to get everything together. I also get a bonus right before I leave and don't want to jeopordize that by waffling before. I think you have to do what's best for you, which to me is leaving your options open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-570794 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 08:54:01 +0000 tlcbaby 570794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I am in the same boat. Leaning toward not going back, but want to have the option there in case we decide it is not financially possible. </p> <p>I have heard that it is polite/customary to give at least two weeks notice, as you would with any job. So at least two weeks before you are scheduled to return, you should give your notice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-knowing-if-youll-return-from-maternity-leave#post-570736 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 06:16:04 +0000 lomom 570736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are, surprisingly, seriously discussing me staying home for one year after LO is born. </p> <p>He, understandably, doesn't want to make a final decision until I'm on maternity leave. He says that's the only way I'd really understand what it would be like to stay home and he doesn't want me to quit and regret it. </p> <p>I can't imagine not wanting to be home with LO so if he will let me, I want to stay home. </p> <p>It worries me, figuring out what to say to work when/if the time comes. I don't want to just bail unexpectedly and leave them high and dry, but DH doesn't want to make a final decision until near the end of my maternity leave. </p>