Confusion over pay and holiday question

[flippityflop]

I was wondering if anyone could help me. I am on maternity leave, and my pay ends on 26 September 2012. Before maternity leave I was full time and entitled to 27 days holiday plus bank holidays. My salary was £35000.

I am going back 3 days a week at a pro rata rate of £21000.

Whilst on maternity leave I have accrued 25 days holiday (inc bank holiday) and the way I see it I have 2 options.

Option A) End my maternity leave on 25 September and take 25 days holiday (for which I will be paid), returning to work on 31 October.

Option B) Take maternity until 31 October and be paid out for the accrued holiday (with possibly an additional 2 days leave accrued for October) and return to work on 31 October.

Now, if I were to go with Option A then I would effectively no longer be on maternity from 25 September - I would be back in employment, but just on holiday. My question is, in this instance should I expect to be paid a salary for October? The holiday I will have accrued is up until 25 September so effectively from what I can gather, I should be paid the 25 days holiday AND the salary for the month of October.

If I went for option B, I wouldn't be effectively back at work in October so not entitled to the salary as I'd be on the unpaid part of maternity but I would be paid for the holiday I have accrued.

Does anyone know the answer to this? I am trying to work out which makes better financial sense (for me!). Have I got something wrong. I am find it very confusing!

Appreciate any help.

 

[Clairikins]

Hiya

It works out the same financially, it just differs when you get the holiday paid. If you go back earlier you will get paid some in September and the rest in October. If you have it paid instead of taking the time then you would get it all in one go whenever you agree with your employer.



If I understand your question correctly about option A, would you get salary and holiday pay, you wouldn't get it twice, you would just get the holiday pay, same as you do whenever you take leave.

I can't see any pros or cons to either of your options as they work out the same financially and timewise. You could stay on unpaid mat leave until 31st October, then return to work to take your accrued leave (until about 5th Nov) and then reduce your hours and start back properly, that way you get more time at home.

 

[gingajewel]

Hiya

It works out the same financially, it just differs when you get the holiday paid. If you go back earlier you will get paid some in September and the rest in October. If you have it paid instead of taking the time then you would get it all in one go whenever you agree with your employer.



If I understand your question correctly about option A, would you get salary and holiday pay, you wouldn't get it twice, you would just get the holiday pay, same as you do whenever you take leave.

I can't see any pros or cons to either of your options as they work out the same financially and timewise. You could stay on unpaid mat leave until 31st October, then return to work to take your accrued leave (until about 5th Nov) and then reduce your hours and start back properly, that way you get more time at home.

This is totally right -you will just get holiday pay. So i think its just down to personal preference in which ever you choose