Requesting part time hours & SMP/CMP

[PenguinTuxedo]

Hi,

I'm just looking for some advice please. My first baby is due at the end of July, and I'm currently filling out all my maternity paperwork etc. I'm late doing it as they delayed giving it to me due to me being off sick, so I'm needing to sort it out asap.

I thought I was only entitled to SMP, but my work also offer CMP. First 6 weeks at 90% and then next 12 weeks at 1/2 pay (plus SMP). The forms say I need to decide if I want the CMP to be paid normally during my ML, or if I want it as a lump sump when I return. You have to return for 3 months or you have to pay the CMP back.

The thing is, I don't know which to agree to, because at the moment, I don't know if I am returning to work. I am on a low wage, so I will basically be working to pay childcare costs. In an ideal world, I would like to return 2 or 3 days a week for my sanity, but not sure how this would play out financially.

I need to say what I want to do about this CMP within the next day or so to get the forms sent off. I don't know what to do though, because if I say yes, pay me normally, if they refuse part time hours then I have to pay it back, which I won't be able to do. If I say no, pay it to me as a lump sum upon my return, if I am able to do part time hours and return, then I understand that will likely effect my benefits (WTC, child care vouchers etc).

So at what point do I request part time hours for returning after ML? I'm pretty sure they will say no, but there is a form to request it in my ML pack. Do I do it now? If I do and they refuse, would that mean I have to hand my notice in now?

Thanks for any help, and sorry if the post doesn't 100% make sense - I'm pretty confused right now!

[flowery]

"If I say yes, pay me normally, if they refuse part time hours then I have to pay it back, which I won't be able to do."

Why not? Just put the extra aside and pretend you aren't receiving it for the purposes of budgeting. If you do go back, the money is yours to spend. If you decide not to go back, you'll be able to pay the money back no problem.

[PenguinTuxedo]

Because from what I understand, 1/2 of my wages would be £425 each month, making my pay up to £850 each month. SSP on it's own would be around £618 per month. So I wouldn't be paying the £232 difference back to my employer (I would be able to keep that back), I would be paying the £425 back as that's the 1/2 of my wages that my employer has given me...if that makes sense?

[flowery]

No not really.

You can't be made to pay back SMP, only anything over and above.

[Ellypoo]

SMP includes the 6 weeks at 90%, therefore you can't be made to pay that back. Just the 50% which is paid to you in addition to SMP.

As Flowery said, you can't be made to pay back SMP, so it will only be anything over & above that that you pay back.