Should You Resign While on Parental Leave? The Complete Guide

Taking parental leave to bond with a new child is a special time. But it’s also a major life change that prompts serious career reflection. During this pivotal period, many new parents grapple with the decision to resign from their job or return to work

Resigning while on maternity, paternity or adoption leave is complicated. There are legal and financial factors to weigh along with the ethics of quitting during leave. Timing is also key.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about resigning while on parental leave so you can make the best decision for your family.

The Resignation Dilemma During Parental Leave

It’s common for new parents to rethink their career while on parental leave. Caring for a newborn is all-consuming. Priorities shift, bringing work-life balance into sharp focus.

Suddenly, aspects of your job that seemed tolerable before having a child feel untenable. Long hours, a stressful work environment, extensive travel, or other demands can cause you to question whether it’s time to move on.

The sheer exhaustion of new parenthood can also impact your feelings about work. You may wonder if becoming a stay-at-home parent is the right move. Or, you may get a new job offer with better pay, schedule, or work-from-home flexibility.

With so much change happening, resignation can feel like the best path forward. But the decision isn’t always clear-cut.

Key Factors to Consider Before Resigning

Resigning while on leave is very personal. Every family’s situation is unique. As you weigh this major decision, be sure to reflect on:

Finances – Do you have enough savings to manage without your income? Check household budget trade-offs.
Benefits – Will you lose health insurance or other benefits if you resign during leave?
Career goals – Do you want to stay in your industry long-term?
Work-life fit – Does your job offer schedule flexibility to balance work and family?
Job history – Will quitting hurt your resume if you re-enter the workforce later?
Future plans – Do you want to resume working eventually? If so, when?

Also carefully review your employee handbook. Some companies require repayment of parental leave pay if you don’t return to work afterwards. Understand the rules before deciding.

When Should You Resign? Timing Considerations

Knowing when to resign takes strategic planning:

Before leave – Giving notice in advance can help avoid burning bridges. But you may lose out on paid leave.
Early in leave – Lets your employer start the transition process but still allows you to take most of your leave.
End of leave – Allows you to use the full leave while job searching and lining up alternatives.
Upon returning – Gives you time to see how you feel after leave before deciding. But can be harder on the employer.

Think through the pros and cons and be mindful of company policy. There’s no perfect time to resign, but some timings are better than others.

How to Resign Gracefully While on Leave

When you’ve decided to resign during parental leave, follow these tips to maintain positive relations:

Give proper notice – Provide at least two weeks notice, if possible. More is better.
Meet in person – Request an in-person meeting, if feasible. This is more personal. If not possible, call.
Show appreciation – Thank your employer for the opportunities and time off. Keep it cordial.
Provide a reason – You can be honest about why you’re resigning without oversharing.
Offer transition help – Propose assisting with training a replacement or transition needs.
Get it in writing – Obtain details on when benefits end, COBRA eligibility, severance terms, etc. in writing.

The goal is an amicable split. Handled delicately, you can resign with grace and diplomacy.

Questions to Ask Before Resigning

Resigning is a big step. To make an informed decision, be sure to ask yourself:

Would part-time hours or a flexible schedule allow me to keep working?
Does my employer offer job sharing, telecommuting, or condensed schedules?
What other positions at the company could better suit my needs as a parent?
Am I eligible for an extended leave of absence if I need more time?
Can I afford to resign right now financially?
Will resigning negatively impact my career long-term?
Will I lose important benefits if I resign during leave?
Do I risk burning bridges by quitting without more notice?

Also consult with your human resources department to fully understand impacts to your benefits, salary, and contractual agreements if you resign.

The Ethics of Resigning During Parental Leave

Resigning shortly after taking a lengthy parental leave can feel ethically questionable. Some argue it’s wrong to reap the benefits of leave when you know you won’t return. Others say you must do what’s right for your family. There is no consensus.

The moral calculus depends on your relationship with your employer and what feels right to you. Giving your manager advance notice is ideal. But if your priorities change during leave, you may have to resign at the end or shortly after.

While not ideal, resigning due to change of heart during leave is understandable. New parenthood is unpredictable. As long as you provide notice and transition help, a prompt yet graceful exit can still preserve goodwill.

Handling the Financial Impact

Before giving notice, be clear on how resigning will impact you financially:

Insurance – When does employer health coverage end? What are COBRA continuation costs?
Leave pay – Will you have to repay any portion of parental leave pay if you don’t return to work?
Retirement – Can you roll over your 401(k) account? How long until any pensions vest?
Severance – Are you eligible for severance pay based on tenure? Get policy details.
Bonuses/commissions – Will you still receive any owed incentive payments?
Stock options – Do you lose any unvested options? Confirm exercise deadlines.

Leaving benefits and income on the table adds up. Develop a complete picture of the financial outcomes before submitting your resignation.

Alternatives to Resigning

While resigning is one option, also consider:

Extended leave – Take more time before deciding by extending your leave.
Part-time – Switch to part-time hours or job sharing.
Telecommuting – Ask about working remotely if onsite hours are the issue.
Transfer – Change roles or teams for an improved work-life fit.
Flexible schedule – Adjust hours or shifts through flextime, compressed workweeks, etc.

With some creative thinking, you may find an arrangement that allows you to keep your job but also meet your needs as a new parent.

Should You Resign While on Parental Leave?

The best decision depends on your specific situation. Resigning can be the right call if you want to be a stay-at-home parent, change careers, or feel your employer won’t accommodate your need for greater work-life balance.

But with careful self-reflection and open communication, you may be able to craft a new role that retains the job you know while also setting you up for success as a working mom or dad.

Either way, moving forward thoughtfully will lead to the best outcome for you and your growing family.

resigning while on parental leave

Are New Parents Entitled to Accommodations?

Many women cant afford to quit after they have a baby, or dont want to for other reasons. Of course, some women love their jobs and want to keep working throughout their parenting years. Other women might want to take a longer break from work but are concerned that it will hurt their earning power or career prospects. In this situation, you might try to explore other options with your company to help you better balance your work and family.

Employers have no legal obligation to accommodate parents by, for example, offering part-time work or allowing flexible schedules. Although a number of states require employers to accommodate the physical limitations of pregnant employees, this right ends for most women after they give birth. If you have an ongoing need for accommodation relating to your pregnancy– for example, because you suffered an injury during childbirth, you may still be entitled to accommodation, depending on your states law.

If, however, your company provides accommodations like these to other employees for other reasons, it may not discriminate based on a protected characteristic. For instance, a company cant offer new fathers—but not new mothers—the opportunity to work part time. And, a company that routinely allows schedule changes for employees to return to school or pursue hobbies may not deny those same benefits only to new mothers.

If your company isnt obligated to offer you accommodations, you can still try to negotiate them. Especially if the alternative is losing a valued employee, your company might be willing to make a few changes, such as temporary part-time work, scheduling changes that will allow you and your partner to manage child care (such as coming in earlier, leaving earlier, working more or fewer days, and so on), doing some of your work from home, curtailing business travel, and so on. It cant hurt to ask.

If you’re thinking about quitting when your maternity leave ends, there are a few issues to consider.By

For women considering whether to return to work when their maternity leave ends, there are many practical things to think about—and a few legal issues as well. First and foremost, of course, are financial questions: How will you and your family pay the bills and secure health insurance? How long can you afford to stay out of the workforce? What effect will your time off have on your future career prospects?

As you think through these important money matters, youll need to know your legal rights—and obligations—when you quit your job after having a baby.

How Do I Quit My Job After I Return From Maternity Leave?

How do I resign from my job after parental leave?

If you decide that you want to resign from your job after returning from parental leave, you can write and send a resignation letter to your employer. This letter can offer proper notice and help you communicate your reason for leaving the role clearly.

What is a resignation letter after parental leave?

A resignation letter after parental leave is a written document you’d submit to your employer after spending time with your newborn child. This letter is the formal notification of your decision to resign from your work responsibilities.

Should I resign while on parental or maternity leave?

Determining whether you want to resign while on parental or maternity leave is an important part of your transition into parenthood. As you spend time at home with a new addition to your family, it’s likely that you’ll reevaluate any long-term goals or plans you made in the past.

How do I resign after maternity leave?

Depending on when you plan to resign, the following resignation letters can be customized to fit your own situation: Please accept my resignation effective January 28, 2022. As you know, I had my second child in December, and I have decided that I will not be returning to work after my maternity leave.