Are keep in touch days compulsory?

[strongmilknosugar]

Hi,

I'm starting my maternity leave on the 3rd of Jan (baby due in March). I'm going to take a year's maternity leave and then I'm going to hand in my notice a month before I'm due back.

My manager has talked about keep in touch days. Does anyone know whether these are compulsory? I don't really want to do them unless I have to.

Thanks.

[gininteacupsandleavesonthelawn]

No, not compulsory

[dementedpixie]

No they aren't

[superking]

No they are not compulsory so you don't have to have any if you don't want to.

Apologies if you have this covered, but have you checked that you won't be due to repay any of your maternity pay if you don't return from mat leave? If you're just receiving SMP then it shouldn't be a problem, but if your employer offers more than the legal minimum they may require you to repay some of it if you don't return. I have had friends caught out by this hence thought it worth a warning!

[dementedpixie]

From .gov website:

Employees can work up to 10 days during their maternity, adoption or additional paternity leave. These days are called ‘keeping in touch days’. Keeping in touch days are optional - both the employee and employer need to agree to them.

The type of work and pay employees get should be agreed before they come into work. The employee’s right to maternity, adoption or additional paternity leave and pay isn’t affected by taking keeping in touch days.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

no, not compulsory

Just be mindful if you are receiving any enhanced mat pay, if you don't return for the minium period you will bring required to repay it.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

x post sorry!

[strongmilknosugar]

Thank you all!

I'm only getting SMP as I've not worked a year for the company so won't need to pay anything back.

As far as they know I'll be returning to work and I don't want to tell them I'm not for obvious reasons. If I don't do the KIP days, would they suspect?

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

I didn't have any KIT days with either of my two, doubt I'll be doing any this time either, too much faff as it's a two plus hour round trip just to get there. No one has ever batted an eyelid. Worth doing for a bit of extra cash though as in my company wether you stay an hour or all day, you get a days pay. If you aren't going back it might be worth doing them for a little buffer fund.

[strongmilknosugar]

I have a feeling they probably won't care either. I don't think my manager likes me anyway!!

I'd find it really hard to lie about my plans when I come back (It's bad enough now!)

[Pocketsizedpixie]

I just told my work it wasn't possible for me to go in as I had no childcare. No one asked beyond that.

[strongmilknosugar]

I think I'll use that as my excuse, which will be true!!

[Brown76]

Just curious OP but will you get the same maternity leave even if you tell them now you won't be returning?

[strongmilknosugar]

I probably would but I doubt they'll be very happy as they'll have to pay me holiday and pay rises (I'm public sector) during the whole year.

[strongmilknosugar]

Just read somewhere else that they're not compulsory. Thanks for confirming everyone.