paying back NHS mat pay

[twolittlepigs]

Could anyone tell me how the NHS reclaim the maternity pay you received if you decide not to return to work?

Do they expect a lump sum payment?
If you pay in instalments, are they interest free?

Thanks.

Speak to your HR. I'll guess it'll be lump sump. Have you gone back?

Bear in mind your last pay date will have any accrued holidays in it so they could just take it all from that.

HR will only tell me that they refer the matter to the debtors. My accrued A.L will reduce but not cancel out the debt, unfortunately...

Do you have any special reason for not returning? My DD was ill and so I felt I couldn't return to my job (not the NHS but public sector college). I was told to write a letter setting out all my reasons - they discussed it and decided I didn't have to pay the money back - it also helped that the dept were looking to make a redundancy and although they would not have chosen me (they had their eye on an unpopular middle aged lady)they saved a lot of redundancy money.

I had a friend who was asked to pay back an overpayment on MP in installments and when she had problems they were fairly reasonable about reducing the payments. Sometimes you can negoiate an amount- it was even muted that she put it as a charge on her estate when she died!

Good luck

Surely the nhs trust you work for will have a writtn policy on this?

Are you a UNISON member? My UNISON rep told me that she had never known our trust to ask anyone to pay them back. I would get some advice.

Alternatively, can you go back just 2 days a week or something to start with, see how you go?

Does everyone have to pay back mat pay of they decide not to return to work? i am on leave after DD2 and considering my options but didn't realise this was an issue

You only have to pay back if your employer gives you extra, above the SMP, and if it is in your contract. NHS maternity pay gives you more than SMP and you need to return to work for 13 weeks after Mat leave - otherwise they can ask you to pay back the extra.

You do not have to pay back SMP.

I'm interested too. Has anyone had to pay back their NHS mat pay? Was it in installments and if so over how long?

Hi

I'm interested to know if when you go back to NHS after maternity leave for the 3 months they require when can you put your notice in to leave to a job external to the NHS?

Is it after you've been back for 3mths or can your notice be part of the 3 mths??

OP can you let us know how you get on with HR i will poss be facing the same situation in afew months.