Returning to work for 3 months after maternity leave and then quitting?

[silverbell]

Hi everybody

I'm not even TTC yet, but thinking ahead (as is my nature).

I know that in the UK and in my place of work it is stated that employees must state whether or not they will be returning to work after their maternity leave ends and if they don't return to work for at least 3 months then they have to repay the maternity pay received whilst on leave.

I'm fine with this, but obviously - like most first-time mothers - I am concerned that I will not know whether or not I will need or want to return after my leave finishes. My question therefore is whether a person can state they'll be returning, work the required 3 months and then hand their notice in to quit? (should they find they don't need to work or that they miss LO too much etc etc)

 

[littleblonde]

Where i work dosnt have this policy so i dont no if what im saying is right. But if they state that you have to work at least 3 months after mat leaves ends , then that would be all you have to do. Maybe make it so you go a week or 2 over. I can see why they would do this, but its not fair for them to make you decide this before having a baby as you juist dont no

 

[Quartz]

You could return to work for the three months and hand your notice in and work your notice as per usual.

Also you dont pay back it all only any pay you receive above statutory maternity pay

 

[debjolin]

you only pay back what your place of work gives you as pay on maternity leave. you

dont give back SMP. My place of work has this policy also. I had to sign the form

yesterday to say that i would be returning to work for at least 3 months after mat leave is up. If you state that you are not returning to work then your maternity pay is not as good. I work for the health service btw and thats there policy. your place of work may be different.

 

[MrsRH]

if you are on a good wage, the amount you pay back can be quite a lot!!! SMP is only £123 ish per week pretax
xxx

 

[silverbell]

Thank you everybody, that's really helpful

I'm still undecided about what to do, but I suppose I'll know more when and if I get pregnant and can make a better informed decision at that time, but this information has really helped put my mind at ease. Many thanks to all x

 

[Blah11]

The NHS does this. If you don't come back for 3 months before leaving you need to pay back all the money the NHS paid you excluding the SMP but if you work 3 months and hand your notice in you're absolutely able to leave and keep the maternity money.

 

[Sinead]

you can also use your annual leave for this period too, and any accrued bank holidays

 

[debjolin]

you can also use your annual leave for this period too, and any accrued bank holidays

Oh really... I didnt know that. xx

 

[wannabemamma]

You can buy yourself out as well normally, just return whatever you received over and above SMP and don't go back for the 3 months. If you think this is an option try to save all that you receive abouve SMP then it is there if you need it/decide to quit.

 

[FierceAngel]

as ladies have said above you only pay back any amount over smp..

my company pay 50% pay throughout which will be a big diff to smp... i plan to return to work anyway but if i didnt want to then id simply do the min and leave xxx