Paying back maternity pay

[Beehavewillyou]

I returned from mat leave a few months ago, and am pregnant again so will be on mat leave again in a few months time.

I have had lots of problems with my manager, no support, he is never really around to help/dumps everything onto everyone else. No one is really sure what he is doing on a day to day basis.

Given the choice I would leave after my next Mat leave but I would be leaving within the time where I would be required to pay back my additional maternity pay.

Has anyone been in this situation? Did you pay it back? Did you pay it in instalments? Try to get it priced into your new job offer?

I'm a bit confused as to why this is a question.

If you aren't going to return after your upcoming maternity period, then tell them in advance, and don't claim the enhanced maternity pay you're not entitled to. That way, there's nothing to pay back.

You're still entitled to statutory maternity pay regardless.

Can you not go part-time to make it less painful?

*Just tell HR you only want SMP.

Or alternatively put the enhanced amount in a high interest account so at least it makes you some money before you pay it back.*

I was going to suggest this also!

I remember a form to complete before I went off asking if I wanted to receive the enhanced maternity pay or wait in case I didn't return to work. They also asked if I wanted the enhanced pay just paid at the start or spread over 39 weeks, or another time period of my choice up to 39 weeks if I was choosing e.g. 30 weeks maternity leave.
I think the enhanced pay was only for a few weeks, maybe 6 or 8 so not a huge consideration. Some friends in other sectors got much better packages.

Is it a generous maternity pay package?

If so I would try and find a way of making the time back work. You could use your accrued annual leave to go back part time for a time, and they ask if you can be part time going forwards.

You can request to just be paid SMP- that doesn’t need to be paid back.

if you take company maternity pay and leave within the time frame for paying it back( most places it’s 13 weeks) then a reasonable offer of instalments will be accepted. You will only pay the extra not the smp.