Does anyone know the answer to this?

[Doodledumdums]

This may be a question which has answers specific to individual work places, but it is something I need to know the answer to, but don't know how to find out!

Basically I am due to go back to work in December after a years maternity leave, however I am looking at finding a new job and not returning to my old one. The trouble with this is, I received 6 months full pay for maternity leave, and I have an inkling that I may have to pay some of it back if I don't return to my old job- which would make finding a new job a totally unviable idea!

I have contemplated contacting my HR department, but I am worried about the confidentiality of doing this. I work for a huge multinational company, so I guess HR should be confidential, but I am worried that if I ask them this question, it may somehow reach the ears of my line manager, and this could become awkward!

Does anyone have any experience of having to pay back money for maternity leave after not returning to a job?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[AlmostPerfect]

From what i understand at my work place ( am on mat leave too ) if i got paid in full, and didnt return after mat leave i would have to pay back the extra as i would no longer be entitled to it. Do you have a contract, i got a special 'pregnancy at work, your rights' thing given to me. It would tell you in there, working for a big company they should have something like that, i'd give HR a call an ask for a copy, that way you dont have to let them know you are thinking about leaving. Hope that helps

[Doodledumdums]

That's what I thought I thought it would be too generous to give maternity pay when people may or may not come back!

I know there is an employee handbook on the work intranet...but i'm not sure how to access it from home. I should have a look into it as that is probably my best bet at finding the answer!

[Rockchick1984]

I didn't have to pay back the extra pay I got, but think I was very lucky as the other mums I know who didn't go back had to repay!

[Bloodsocks]

At my workplace you have to go back for 3 or 4 months to keep the enhanced pay.

[PotteringAlong]

As a teacher, we have to do 18 weeks or pay back the enhanced pay.

[tribpot]

You could always ask HR to send you the handbook - that would be less 'obvious' than just asking the question.

[justabigdisco]

I didn't go back and had to repay, minus the SMP. I would've had to go back for 6 months to avoid repaying and for me it wasn't worth it as I had a great new job lined up, and I hated my old one.

[Doodledumdums]

Bugger, it doesn't look look i've got a way out then does it, I guess i'll just have to suck it up and go back. Paying back my maternity pay isn't really an option unfortunately.

I think i'll ask HR for a copy of the handbook, just to be doubly sure!

Thanks for all of your replies!

[peanutbutterhoney]

It absolutely depends on the company. If it's a large multinational you may not have to pay back. I asked this question on the phone to the HR service centre and they didn't bat an eyelid, just told me the answer. If its a large company it's very unlikely that question would get back to your manager (I also work in HR but in a different type of role).

[nextphase]

Absolutly depends on the company.
We were NOT required to pay back an OMP if we didn't return.

As already suggested, ask for the staff hand book (or the maternity policy, if you prefer). Alternatively, have you got a colleague you would forward the relevant pages from the intranet? To access intranets form home you generally need some sort of external password etc.