Maternity pay

[12mum12]

Hi, I have decided not to return to work after maternity leave, although I was paid SMP plus some from my employer. I'm aware that the extra needs paying back, does this have to be paid immeadiatly or can I pay it back gradually???!!! Thanks :)

Completely up to your employer - if they are paying you extra they can basically put whatever terms and conditions they like on it. If your maternity policy doesn't specify how it's paid back, you will need to ask them if they will accept instalments. Usually the default would be to deduct it from final salary if possible, so if you have holiday pay owing that will probably be deducted.

You'll need to check your policies/handbook and talk to your employer. It will vary on who your employer is. I would assume that they would deduct it from any money that is due to you (pay in lieu of any untaken holidays for example) and give you a window in which to repay the remaining amount.

I should have quite a bit of holiday pay actually, hopefully that will cover most of it!!! Thanks :)