Not returning to NHS job after maternity leave

[FIrsttimeclapham]

Hi, I’m hoping someone can help. I’m in week 12 of my maternity leave from my NHS job and my husband has gotten a job in Ireland.

What is the best course of action here? I was thinking about letting my manager know informally and say that I will hand on my notice toward the end of my maternity leave and plan on coming back to work my notice (this should be 4/5 weeks after annual leave has been taken). Has anyone else done anything similar or been in a similar situation? I wouldn’t want to pay back my maternity pay which is the policy if not returning to work. Any advice or tips welcome

[Emelene]

Might be worth checking your contact but in my NHS post you have to return to work for at least a 3 months or repay OMP...

[adailymale34]

Yes you have to pay back the difference between SMP and what you are paid - so you have to pay back the enhanced pay. It's not actually that much (unless you are a well paid consultant...)
Or you can go back to work for 3 months!

[adailymale34]

Normally annual leave will not count in the 3 months you have to return for, sorry

[Thirtyrock39]

You don't repay smp but most jobs pay you more than smp for a whole which you will have to repay. Some jobs will ask you to say whether you just want smp if there is a chance you're not going to return so check what you've been paid while off