by D.X. » Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:27 am
Hi Parker,
You are in your right to pursue your career interests irrespective of maternal leave Status (or any other Family Status for that matter).
Remember, in today's world, you owe your employer nothing, similarly they owe you nothing.
Additionally, in your Country, maternal leave is a RIGHT and NOT a Company benefit. In my opinion, like European countries its a progressive stance for Woman's Rights, Family Values, and Women Empowerment that some other countries don't honor (like the US; ok off my political Soap box).
That being said, you don't Need to disclose your intent to your current employer, even if it was a Company benefit, remember, your contract to work is a Business Agreement for work delvired vs. compenstation.
Maternity leave also offers an opportunity, on a personal Level, to re-evaluate what you want in Terms of career opporunity and certainly you can use that Card when applying for your next Company.
To the extent of which disclosing your maternity Status is up to you.
Some narrow minded Managers which unfortunately represents the majority will see your maternity leave as Absence from the work force and may not see you on the cutting edge (false but sadly a terrible and stupid perception). The other challenge you may face is that disclosing that fact you will have a newborn will also raise concerns on your availablity to work post maternity leave - i.e. you will have to take time to manage child sickness, paedeatrician visits, if you and your husband work, then you'll have to leave "early" to pick your kid up at "Kinderkrippe". Your travel ability is restricted. So that can be Held against you.
Sadly there are a minority of progressive Managers who will see the benefit of a working mother (you'll probably be more dedicated and more efficient) but that is often underappreciated.
So my recommendation, weigh if you Need to declare based on when you apply for the Job. If you do declare, do mention that the emerging oppornity aligns with your interest and experience, and the Company is infact your dream Company (like any other candidate in any other Situation would) and don't dwell too much on the maternatiy leave factor, Point to your current experience and what you bring to the table, value wise. If you Focus on the maternity factor, see my Point on narrow-minded Managers.
Also weigh what you have in your current role. Do you like your Team? Do you forecast you will have flexibility to take care of your child upon return with your currently employer (time wise). It is great to think about career, but, don't be narrow minded American in thinking here (I'm American so I'm allowed). The time you have with your child now is an amazing time, becareful trading that for work and career, besure to have that Balance if you can.
As for me, I'm a new father. My wife is on maternity leave (government mandated like Canada), she to is re-evaluating and it in her right to do so, but she is putting Family first. As for me, I currently have a work Environment that is flexible, I walk our the door at when I Need to, no one asking me why - they know I have a newborn. Of course, I'll say why I'm leaving to some member of my Team, i.e vaccine shots, or fever, etc. I Show up when I Need to in the morning (mainly delayed as his mom and I are still learning to establish Routine), and work from home as needed and no body really asks. I can also avoid travel and my Company supports when I deem a Business Meeting in another Country as non-priority for me vs. Family Need. They acknowledge my Situation and that in itself is worth its weight in Gold. Yes other companies have approached me recenly, but I've declined, because I have no interest in building new relationship, re-establishing myself, and having to commit to travel. So take that into consideration, the reality is that Jobs will emerge again and you can take a decision later if you want.
Hope this helps, a Long post, but I tried to give you an answer while sharing my experiences.