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Original poster

Not returning to work after maternity leave - NHS

37 replies

Hortuslover · 16/01/2019 19:24

Hi,
I just wondered if anybody who works for the nhs has ever not returned to work after maternity leave if the original plan was to go back.

I’m due back in June and seriously considering not returning as permanent staff but do bank for the flexibility?

If there is anyone, did you have to pay anything back and how much was it? Could you pay back in instalments?

OP posts:
BF888 · 17/01/2019 00:38

I have a relative who has been on mat. Leave from NHS. She was due back in October and decided to extend unpaid. I’m not sure what’s she’s going to do, but she’s had plenty of informal chats with them, she has mentioned that she would have to pay it back which is off putting. I think one of her options would be to return for but less hours, and in a different position. She was only a few days a week anyway.

I would recommend to arrange a meeting with your manager, as they maybe able to sort something out with you. To be honest They have sounded very accommodating, but I suppose it depends on the role and who your manager is.

EmpressJewel · 17/01/2019 08:15

I haven't worked in the NHS for many years, but I would be surprised if you didn't have to pay it back. I mean, if they do it for you, they would have to do it for everyone. Unless there are extenuating circumstances.

If you have to pay it back, you could offset some of it against any accrued annual leave you have. So, if you have a years leave, that's nearly 6 weeks of pay, so that's roughly half of the 12 week return period.

HoraceCope · 17/01/2019 08:17

I understood you only had to go back for 3 months op, is that doable?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Employment advice Families
Original poster
Hortuslover · 17/01/2019 14:12

Yes, the agreement was to go back for 3 months. But dh has just changed career which means him working shifts as well. It’s going to be really hard me working 3 long days a week and him doing 4 Shifts (2days and 2 nights a week) I just can’t see how it’ll be doable without never seeing each other.

I never thought about offsetting against annual leave. I’m due back in June so will have accrued holidays from beginning of April to second week in June. I’ll speak to HR and payroll to see if there’s anything I can do.

OP posts:
lemonlife · 17/01/2019 14:15

Remember your accrued annual leave counts towards your 3 months. I went back for 3 months but with my annual leave it actually only worked out about 6 weeks and I just juggled childcare for those.

Original poster
Hortuslover · 17/01/2019 14:48

Just spoke to hr and they confirmed that by 3 months from my return, I will have accrued 115 hours annual leave which only equals 3 and a bit weeks Sad

Would I be able to go back 5 weeks, hand my 4 weeks notice in which takes it to 9 weeks and have my annual leave on the end?

OP posts:
lemonlife · 17/01/2019 15:00

Were you full time before?

HoraceCope · 17/01/2019 18:28

Can you transfer nearer home?

confusedandemployed · 17/01/2019 18:30

What about the leave you accrued whilst on mat leave? Have you used this?

PoesyCherish · 17/01/2019 18:31

My sister works for the NHS and contemplated not going back. She said she'd have to pay back all of the mat pay. Is going back part time an option for you? It's what my sister did but I think she said that would've then increased the 3 months.

PoesyCherish · 17/01/2019 18:33

Would I be able to go back 5 weeks, hand my 4 weeks notice in which takes it to 9 weeks and have my annual leave on the end?

Probably not but you could go back for 8.5 weeks, hand your notice in and that takes you to the full 12 weeks then and you'd still have worked the same amount as your above suggestion.

3out · 17/01/2019 18:35

Could you use the annual leave to work short days? (Finish at 3 but take annual leave 3-8pm for example)
You might be able to return on reduced hours?

Heatherjayne1972 · 17/01/2019 19:04

Why do you have to pay back the maternity leave money?

Surely that’s not right?

Original poster
Hortuslover · 17/01/2019 19:18

The conditions of maternity pay is repayment of maternity pay minus smp if you don’t return to the nhs for 3 months. I knew this and expected to go back but things have changed dramatically for us as a family so I’m not worried about what I’d do.

The hospital I work at is the closest one and they’ve recently, since I’ve been off have changed shifts in the way of staff can only work long days or nights, no short days allowed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hortuslover · 17/01/2019 19:25

I’m on 36 hours which is actually classed as part time.

The annual leave from 2018/19, I took before starting May leave as I wouldn’t be back in the same year and can only carry over a weeks annual leave. So I’ll only accrue holidays from this April until September which is when I’d leave, working 3 months on return.

I’d be an absolute liability to a ward now, I’d need that much flexibility that it’d be hard to get what I needed in order to be fair to other staff.

OP posts:
3out · 17/01/2019 19:26

That doesn’t sound Family Friendly. I understand that FF working doesn’t have to be given if it is detrimental to the service, but they’re shooting themselves in the foot potentially. Locally, a lot of the older staff work ‘short’ shifts, and parents too.

AprilSpring · 17/01/2019 19:27

You need to talk to your manger and HR it depends on how you’ve been paid and how long you’ve had off already.
With Dd1 I went back and handed my notice in on the same day! I warned them I was going to do this, but I bet behind my back they were cursing me. I also negotiated fixed days which helped lots with childcare arrangements, and dropped a few hours a month so I didn’t do the 4th long day every 4 weeks (so just did x3 12.5hr shifts). I actually preferred it to the short days I do now as although I didn’t really see Dd1 for those 3 days I spent 4 with her. DH also fixed his shifts (non nhs) so he could have Fridays off. This did mean we only had One whole day together as a family, which was hard. But it worked for a bit.

Those saying transfer - the nhs doesn’t work like that, you can’t just work for another trust without serving notice at one. Mat leave entailment is worked out trust by trust too.

3out · 17/01/2019 19:30

I’d discuss it with your union first, just so that you know roughly how much you might have to pay back if you don’t return. If it’s then possible to pay it back (in instalments) then leave, and if it’s not then speak with your line manager and see if you can return on reduced hours or using your annual leave each week to work reduced hours. Is your partner due any holidays? Maybe he could be at home for a couple of weeks (one week a month?) so you could work.

HoraceCope · 18/01/2019 06:59

can you get an out patient job?

PoesyCherish · 18/01/2019 07:21

If you're part of a union speak to them. My sister found them incredibly helpful for negotiating when she was in a similar situation

OliviaBenson · 18/01/2019 10:03

Why is it on you to leave your job when part of the problem is your husbands new shift pattern? Is there not a compromise you can both reach?

sleeplessinsomewhere · 18/01/2019 10:13

Might be worth posting in HCP chat.

Were you a nurse? What band?

I'm nhs AHP and I'd always urge anyone to try and keep their career going.

I had short mat leaves then became a single parent. I was a team lead and was recruiting people returning to practice after a career break. They really struggled. It was expensive and time consuming. They also dropped down a pay band. Maybe 2 actually.

Oh and don't forget about parental leave. I knew someone who had twins who returned after 2 years using 6 months per child iirc.

Good luck Smile

sleeplessinsomewhere · 18/01/2019 10:14

Just to say it was expensive and time consuming for the candidates. Not me or NHS.

StealthPolarBear · 18/01/2019 10:19

You say the issue is you'll never see each other. Can you just deal with that for the short period until you can leave?

StealthPolarBear · 18/01/2019 10:20

Parental leave is unpaid though.