l have a potentially stupid question

[Acceber]

Do you have to pay back maternity leave if you decide not to go back to work?

[Mumpbump]

As far as I know, no if you simply got the statutory minimum. If your employers paid more than the statutory, then it depends on the terms of your contract. Don't think they'd have a right to claim it back unless they specifically stated that they would if you don't go back.

[babybensmum]

Hello. For me I got paid the statutory mat pay and will only get full pay if and when I go back, so I get to keep everything so far. They are crafty as they pay the six months full mat pay over the next 12 months, meaning you cant just go back for a month and grab it all...

However, my sis got full pay for 6 months, then didn't go back and did have to pay some back, but that was 7 years ago and think things have changed.

Sorry, prob not much help!

[Taichimum]

Does depend on employer. I have heard lots of diff stories with the commercial sector on the whole being less charitable. The minimum I have heard of is to work a months notice and then you don't have to pay back anything. Also remember that you acrue annual leave whilst on mat leave, so you can use that instead of actually going back for a short period, if you only have to do the minimum of 1 month for example. You get 10 days stat annual leave for every six months of your mat leave, even if your employer does not give you any. Mine gave me full leave entitlement for six months and statutory for the other six months.