Should I use my PTO before resigning, or resign at the end of maternity leave?
I’m in California and currently on maternity leave. I’m scheduled to return to work on October 19, but I’ve decided that I want to stay home with my baby and not return to my job.
I have about 3 weeks of accrued PTO and really like my employer’s health insurance, so keeping my insurance as long as possible is important to me.
I’m trying to figure out whether it makes more sense to:
- Return on October 19, use my 3 weeks of PTO, and then resign; or
- Resign at the end of my maternity leave and have my unused PTO paid out.
I’m also wondering about the etiquette of resigning after maternity leave. Is it better to tell my manager before I’m supposed to return, or is it reasonable to take the PTO and give notice during that time?
Has anyone been in a similar situation, especially in California? I’d really appreciate insight on the PTO, health insurance, and what you would do in this situation.