Are my employers allowed to ask me when I'm coming back?

[rollerbaby]

As I understand it, I don't need to give advance warning if I plan to return an entire year later. At what point can they ask for a yes or no in advance? If I go back earlier I need to give 8 weeks notice, so presumably they can contact me at the point which I would need to hand my notice in if I no longer wanted to return?

Thanks

bump

Do you have a difficult relationship with your employer?

I see a lot of questions like this and, TBH, I always wonder about the relationship. Your employer is allowed to ask about your plans, just not to force you to say (other than to confirm that it's the full year, or another period of your choosing, and for them to remind you of the 8 weeks if you want to come back early). Most good employers will ask if you have a sense of your plans though, and it helps them to plan. There are lots of employees who will happily say to the employer "well, I'm not sure and I've put the full year in my letter, but I might be ready to come back after about nine months" or whatever - particularly if it's a second or subsequent child and they know more about how they are likely to feel.

Are you being placed under pressure?

Are they not trying to ascertain roughly how long they'll need to get cover for?

I take it this is for mat leave?

Generally, they'll ask before you go off if you intend to take the full entitlement or additional unpaid leave (where I work), but at around 6-9 months in, they usually contact you to see if your plans are the same etc.
People generally change their minds about the length of time off for financial reasons tbh.

It's a bit unreasonable not to give them a rough idea. They have to manage your absence.

I don't know if it'll apply to you, but you may have to pay back your mat pay if you choose to terminate your employment without returning to work first.