Anyone repaid NHS occupational pay that can give some advice?

[LittleTopic]

I work in a non-medical field but took a temp contract with the NHS a few years ago which became permanent. I love my job but there are a couple of sticking points - long travel (3+ hrs per day), and the cost associated with that being the main ones. I could cope with this on a temp role, it became a bit annoying when I took the perm role, but I’m now on mat leave and starting to see how difficult this will be in managing childcare etc. DH travels a lot for work too.

A similar role in the private sector has come up and I am almost at the end of my mat leave. This role is equal pay, but a 20 minute bus ride away - saving me around £4000 on an annual season ticket and offering much nicer work life balance. I’d be able to be home for DC at a reasonable time and could actually do things like go to the gym occasionally!

Obviously if I take it and resign I need to repay my occupational mat pay - has anyone done this? Can you specify a payment plan? There’s no point taking a new job if I am going to be making hefty repayments but if I can manage my outgoings I think it would be worth it for the long term benefits of having a job much closer to home. Jobs in this area don’t crop up very often!

Thanks in advance

You are best getting advice from your HR/payroll dept. I think they generally will agree to a payment plan and a final deduction from your salary. From my experience they may insist the amount is repaid before you leave.

Worth noting my experience wasn't with mat leave but with a salary sacrifice scheme when I moved from one trust to another.

Good luck

@jaggynettle thank you, I think you’re right. I work quite closely with our HR so was trying to avoid giving them a heads up as I worry it could get back to my boss before I’ve even accepted the job but I may just see what I can clean out of them!

@LittleTopic May still be worth speaking with them and asking in a hypothetical manner how much you'd repay and how/when they'd expect it paid? It's unlikely to get back to your manager as they'd have to honour your privacy and if you just don't mention about the other post they will be none the wiser

Check with your hr dept. My workplace will often let people offset their accrued annual leave against the time they'd need to return for.

So we have 30days holiday (& a 4 week period that you need to return for), and so rather than properly returning, you take the holiday and don't need to pay it back. Think this is hugely discretionary though!