PPL vs Baby bonus and working (with a twist)

**Yolandac31** · 31-07-2012 22:18

Hi all,
Firstly I'm not pregnant yet but am trying to get organised and ready we are just waiting for PHI to kick in. I have been discussing options with my employer as I basically manage the place plus some and we have never found anyone who would be suitable to take on my role - staffing, infastructure and quality management..

My boss and our HR advisor have asked me to consider taking the baby bonus and working ASAP after the birth part time and from home and they will give me a 'bonus of sorts' to supplement the lost amount of ppl.

I also get 12 weeks at full pay from my employer. ( with either government option)

If I go ppl option I would have to get a new phone as my mobile is a work phone and I let my old one lapse as no need for it with unlimited everything at work.

Im quite the work a holic but I don't know what the best thing to do obviously baby bonus is less money but you can make more by working plus if the give me a top up bonus but how will I know if I can handle a crying baby while trying to read documents ect.
My boss would ideally want me in office a few days for a couple of hours to keep in the loop bit would want baby there to babysit (she wanted another).

DH thinks that I won't last 18 weeks off work as when on annual leave I'm still checking emails and logging in daily.

Thanks!

**andy90** · 07-08-2012 21:19

My understanding is that while on PPL you can have 10 days were you "check in" with your job. This means that if you wish to you can work 1 day a week for 10 weeks without your ppl being cut off.

Hope this helps

**kw123** · 07-08-2012 21:24

Originally Posted by andy90

My understanding is that while on PPL you can have 10 days were you "check in" with your job. This means that if you wish to you can work 1 day a week for 10 weeks without your ppl being cut off.

Hope this helps

I don't think that this has actually been implemented yet unfortunately...

**Kimberleygal1** · 07-08-2012 21:48

Mmm it's a hard one. I had 4mths off after having ds1 then went back to work and had him at work with me for 2 days a week, a nanny had him the other 2 days. This was fine til he was on the move so was all good and bearable til about 9mths then it was too hard! With ds2 I had 12mths off then went back to work and he was at work with me one day a week until he was 13mths old. Now I work 4 days a week, bubs is in daycare and I work 1 day a week at home. It works fine and I have no prob getting my work done with him at home with me.

Just checking that you are aware you can get your 12mths employer ppl plus you can then get the 18weeks ppl from the government?

**soccer mum** · 12-08-2012 16:03

It sounds like you are very motivated and organised so you would probably do well working pt and from home. I know plenty of people who do this successfully, although it isnt easy. Probably worth finding out about the breast feeding policy of your work or having a chat about that as that that will be the main hiccup with working and having a young baby (if you do breastfeed). It sounds like your work would be pretty flexible though

**Yolandac31** · 13-08-2012 20:11

The 10 days is for training what I want to do is work and more than 10 days.
I did a search on the centre,ink website and it looks like only $1500 different in PPL and baby bonus. Plus I get 12 weeks from my employer already I think I will go baby bonus with my employer parental and by sounds of it they will also give me the $1500 difference so I'm not out of pocket IFKWIM?

I think I will when small take into work and then get child care or mum has 2 days off a week plus work at home.

Soccer mum- breast feeding wont be an issue as we are all female workplace and boss has 3 young kids and is very family oriented she also breast fed just in a different room.

I think I will go baby bonus option even if I don't get difference as its note really about the money it's about having the option to keep some sanity also!

**Pesca77** · 13-08-2012 21:39

Before deciding on the baby bonus, make sure you wouldn't earn over $75k combined in the first 6mths after bubs is born (including your bonus and salary from work).

I was a workaholic, even checking emails while on my honeymoon in the glorious Maldives

but you may be amazed at how much you change when the baby arrives. I didn't miss work at all and cherished the time at home, hated going back 11mths later....

I now work full time, but 2 days per week from home and it works fine. He still sleeps 3-4hrs in total each day at 12mths, so I get a fair bit done.