NHS Maternity pay

[lozenge]

Hi all

I am currently on maternity leave and work for the NHS. My maternity policy states that I have to go back for three months otherwise I have to pay back my maternity pay less SMP. Although there are exceptional circumstances where they will waive this. Does anyone who has worked for the NHS know what these exceptional circumstances are?

I have a 1.5 hour commute to work, and now thinking of doing this and returning to work full time in May and leaving LO seems like a HORRENDOUS idea!

Any answers would be greatly appreciated x

 

[MrsRH]

I wok for the NHS and know of the 3 month rule but don't know anyone who has had this waived.

I would think the exeptional circumstances would be health reasons, like a disabled child or severe illness/depression with Mum.

I'd have a word with HR. Could you go part time? Could they offer you flexi time or child friendly hours???

xxx

 

[lozenge]

I wok for the NHS and know of the 3 month rule but don't know anyone who has had this waived.

I would think the exeptional circumstances would be health reasons, like a disabled child or severe illness/depression with Mum.

I'd have a word with HR. Could you go part time? Could they offer you flexi time or child friendly hours???

xxx

Thanks, I am going to ring HR tomorrow. I will try and ask for part time, but the trouble is that it isn't really a role that is suited to part time, and my boss, not having children herself, can be very funny about these sorts of things, so not sure I would get it. Can't bear to think of leaving my LO now. x

 

[Jane1972]

I know with my contract it says that I have to return to that trust or another nhs organisation, could you get a part time job doing something else if you have no luck with HR even if its just for the 3 months, its a lot of money to pay back.

 

[lozenge]

I know with my contract it says that I have to return to that trust or another nhs organisation, could you get a part time job doing something else if you have no luck with HR even if its just for the 3 months, its a lot of money to pay back.

Yes that was another question for HR, whether I could work the 3 months at a Trust closer to home. It is a hell of a lot to pay back! xx

 

[babybaillie]

I work for the nhs but havent even looked it. glad u brought it up tho...

 

[emmajane]

I work for Social Services and also have the same thing but with annual leave and nbank holidays accrued whilst on Mat leave, I only have to work 6 weeks. I know it is not great but better than 3 months. You may well have the same thing?

 

[lozenge]

I work for the nhs but havent even looked it. glad u brought it up tho...

I wish I had thought about it more at the time. Pre LO I thought 3 months wasn't that long, but now he has been born and it is actually happening, it seems like an eternity. Plus I expect I will still be getting broken sleep by then, so not much sleep + getting up at 6am for 1.5 hour commute does not sound too appealing. Argh

 

[mummy2b2010]

i work for the nhs hun and as i cant bear to go back to work for them once the baby is born i have decided to hand my notice in the month before i go on maternity leave, as this will mean i still get 6 weeks of 90% pay and 33 weeks of smp which will be fine for me. i can understand your frustration hun, it may be a good idea to try get a job closer to home at a different nhs trust, maybe part time in a local surgery or something?? xxxx

 

[lozenge]

i work for the nhs hun and as i cant bear to go back to work for them once the baby is born i have decided to hand my notice in the month before i go on maternity leave, as this will mean i still get 6 weeks of 90% pay and 33 weeks of smp which will be fine for me. i can understand your frustration hun, it may be a good idea to try get a job closer to home at a different nhs trust, maybe part time in a local surgery or something?? xxxx

Thanks, I think part time and closer to home is the only option really. I knew it would be hard but as May gets closer I am dreading it more and more. The last 10 weeks have flown by and I know it will soon be time to go back and I cannot face it. I love my LO soo much and want to see him grow up, and I want him to know who is mummy is, not his child minder! Wish I didn't have to work at all, but unfortunately that isn't an option.

Are you going to be a stay at home mum then? How lovely xxx

 

[Blah11]

The commute won't be good enough reason to get the rule waived as you knew how far you'd have to drive when you got pregnant. I agree with the others, ask about job vacancies closer to home.

 

[MrsRH]

i work for the nhs hun and as i cant bear to go back to work for them once the baby is born i have decided to hand my notice in the month before i go on maternity leave, as this will mean i still get 6 weeks of 90% pay and 33 weeks of smp which will be fine for me. i can understand your frustration hun, it may be a good idea to try get a job closer to home at a different nhs trust, maybe part time in a local surgery or something?? xxxx

Are you sure about this?? If you are not employed by the NHS any more surely they don't need to pay you SMP???

I'm sure you have checked this but it doesn't seem right to me
xxx

 

[mummy2b2010]

well ill prob have to go back to work part time but my dad owns his own cleaning company and the shifts are very early morning and also he said i can bring the baby with me and my step mum or he would look after the baby while i was working......ui would love to not work at all but we have a wedding to also save up for as when the baby is one were getting married. xxx