Maternity pay/Leave

Re: Maternity pay/Leave

scubamoo — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:38:46 GMT

Oh and I forgot to say if you're a member of the BVNA you can check with the legal team for free

Re: Maternity pay/Leave

scubamoo — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:37:24 GMT

I have recently been on maternity leave and decided not to go back to work while my little one was small. I took the full maternity leave of 12 months of which I only got the SMP.

I wasn't sure at first whether I wanted to go back, I contacted the BVNA legal advise team as I was in the same position. I found out that even if you decidd not to return to work you still have to give then notice as per your contract - I didn't have a contract but I gave 2 months as I thought it would be professional to give as much notice as possible without compromising your benefits (you are still entitled to holiday pay whilst on maternity leave but when you hand in your notice - technically you stop acruing holiday)

My little one is now 18 months old and I have now agreed to cover holidays for the other nurses.

SMP is for everyone and regardless of whether you return to work or not you do NOT have to pay it back.

Hope you are enjoying being a mummy.

Re: Maternity pay/Leave

rpo28 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:59:23 GMT

Thanks for the advice, this is what I thought but after having conflicting information, just thought I check. Thanks again

Re: Maternity pay/Leave

lolly — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:54:30 GMT

i have been back from maternity leave since Jan and as far as I understood it was that if you have been paid SMP only, then you don't pay it back. This is because it is paid by government (your employer would have claimed it back) and everyone gets it. So for example had you been out of work you still would have got it, but it would have been paid through the job centre.

If your employer had paid you more on top of your stautory (some out there are nice and do apparently!) Then this is either why have have to work x amount of time or pay back. The government website it brillant and explains it all, can't remember the address but it will show in Google.

I hope this helps

Re: Maternity pay/Leave

t-bag — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:03:48 GMT

Hi,

You just need to hand in your noticed period, whatever is written in your contract. The place you would have to pay back mat leave pay is the NHS, or go back and work a three month period then leave. Hope this helps.

Re: Maternity pay/Leave

Julie-Anne Wilson — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:14:06 GMT

As far as I was aware, you never have to pay back maternity pay. I would think you could just hand in your notice whenever you made up your mind.