Gave date to return to work but have changed my mind... help!

[butterflypie]

Hi
I told work I will be returning on 31st Jan but I've now changed my mind and won't be returning. Is this okay? Am I allowed to do this?

Are you intending to return to work but just want to alter the start date or do not intend to return at all?

You are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave. If you want to change the date you are returning for later you just need to notofy them in writing of this. Usually your employer will request you give them at least 8 weeks notice of the date you wish to return. If you do not wish to return to work at all then your notice period as per your employment contract will apply.

I don't want to return to work at all.

Hiya there - I had a similar dilema when I was about to return to work. Things may have changed so don't take my word for it and different employees may have different conditions but in those days if you said you would return, and were therefore on full maternity leave, which in my case meant full pay for the leave meaning they topped up my smp to equate to full pay. I was told that if I didn't return I would be expected to pay this topping up amount back. However, if I returned and worked for 1 month I would not have to pay it back.

Thinking this second option was going to be my choice. Luckily, I decided to take career break after mat leave (available for further 4 years) got offered vol. redundancy, got paid a little wodge and no repayment. Happy days!!! :)

Just hand in your notice as per normal. If you won't have taken your full 52 week entitlement you should make sure you do first though, as you remain entitled to benefits and holiday throughout your maternity leave.

If 31st Jan would be the end of 52 weeks maternity leave, just hand in your notice giving whatever your normal notice period is.

If 31st Jan would have been earlier than 52 weeks, write now saying you do not wish to return then and would like to instead take your full entitlement to 52 weeks. You could then confirm that you will not be returning to work therefore your last day of employment will be x date, or alternatively you could just confirm you are taking 52 weeks and then resign nearer the time.

I began my mat leave on 25th Jan this year so I would just hand in my notice on 25th Dec and that would bring me up to my 52 weeks wouldn't it?

Thanks everyone for your help :)