I am currently on 9 mths maternirty leave. If I dont return to work. Will I have to pay the money back ?

Question

I have worked for my employer for over 2 years. And in my maternity leave notes it states -

If you decide you do not wish to return to work after your maternity leave then you should write to your manager confirming your decision to resign from your position.

But I am concerned that I may have to pay back all I have recieved on my maternity pay? I have already put down in writing my return date to work. But I am now thinking I may not want to return.

Answer 1

Hi,

I have just resigned after 6 months maternity leave and a further 6 months additional maternity leave. I got 10 weeks full pay and 16 weeks statutory pay. I did not have to pay anything back.

The pay which you receive during your leave is based on what benefit you have built up prior to your maternity leave. Therefore your employer will have paid you based on your two years service. You will not have to pay anything back.
Furthermore if you did it would have to be clearly outlined in your contract.

One important thing is you just need to make sure that you give the appropriate notice to your employer. Therefore if you are required to give 4 weeks notice you must do this a minimum of 4 weeks before the end of your maternity leave, otherwise you may have to return to work to work out your notice period before you can leave. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am assuming that you are in the UK.

It depends how much you were getting paid. The saturatory min of about 106 pound is yours. Some employers offer more than this as an incentive for you to return. Anything over and above the 106 could be claimed back, but some employers are stricter than others. Quietly ask around and see. If you start asking for part time and flexible working in an org that has no precedent thaey may actually be quietly pleased not to have a working mum that has to take time off at short notice because a child is sick. It shouldn't happen but it does.

If you look at what you signed there should be something in it that states how long you need to return for. It may only be a few months and you may be able to start back part time, so you wouldn't actually have to work very much to make the money rightfully yours.

Answer 3

I am just about to start my maternity leave in 2-3 weeks. You don't have to pay back any SMP - standard maternity pay, but if you have had company maternity pay as well, they may ask for that back.
I would contact your HR at work to ask the question - a pity they didn't give you this info before you went off on leave so you know where you stand.
I have decided I am going to keep the extra pay to one side, as it will only be a small amount, incase I don't want to go back. If I want to keep the extra I have to go back after my leave for 3 months minimum. I can't tell at the moment how I will feel at that time. Hope all goes well with you though!

Answer 4

If you are receiving SMP, then no you do not have to pay it back. If you are still receiving salary after the first 6 weeks when most people drop to SMP then there are possible conditions placed on it - maybe that you return for a minimum of 6 months. Your company only have to pay SMP, anything more is down to them. Your boss isn't just going to give money away, is he?!?

If there is an HR dept at your company, speak to them. If you'd rather not, ask a friendly colleague to call and ask "if I got pregnant....". I think you should have been made aware of any conditions though.

But SMP is all yours! All £450pm of it!

Answer 5

The maternity benefits you received due to disability are not paid by employers, and you would not repay those.

If you are being paid by your employer and those extended maternity leave benefits are being paid on condition of returning to work, it's possible.

As far as what your maternity leave notes say, it just means you have to tell your employer with a written note of your intention. You would need to tell them specifically the date you plan to return to work, or clearly that you will not be returning to work.

Answer 6

no you don't have to pay it back, as long as it was your intention to go go to back to work. 9even it wasn't, just don't say). Ive been on maternity leave 4 times and only gone back once. just put it in writing your resignation, should that be what you want to do. you could also have an extended maternity leave. But check your leave rights at your local Advice center.

Answer 7

you don't have to pay back any money they give you for maternity pay. its your entitlement.
and you don't have to let your employer know that you are not returning to work until 2 weeks before your leave is up. as you might change your mind. however it is nice for them if they have at least a months notice

Answer 8

no you dont have to pay maternity leave money back. i too also gave a return date to my employer but when this time came i just called and said i was not returning to work. there is nothing they can say or do its your decision.

Answer 9

absolutley not. If you choose not to return to work you don't have to pay back anything. You're employer claims either most of the ma or all of it back due to you're national insurance contributions. Are you aware that you can take extra time off unpaid i think its an extra 3 months. I didn't return to work after the birth of my daughter.

Answer 10

adequate for basic stuff,no longer plenty probable 500.I rather have an extremely good credit,so i'd desire to pass out actual now with no longer something yet Visa fee card and purchase as much as 35,000,automobile or something.i choose for to no longer reason it rather is the relaxing common section.the place did the relaxing pass whilst the bill for 900 shows up each month for 5yrs.provide or take.