I don't want to go back... what steps to take?

[IMissSleep]

I've decided that I do not want to return back to work. DS is 6.5 months and had planned to return next month. But me and OH have had a long talk about it and we have decided that:

• I don't like where I work (retail - with lots of miserable women)

• the money will be crap, OH runs his own company so money is not an issue.

How do I go about telling them? Do I just hand my notice in like as if I was working - letter to manager and HR?

How much notice do I give?

Any advice will help

Hi you will still be getting maternity pay (its for 9months) at the moment won't you -I think it might be complicated if you resign before it runs out. I think anyway if you were going back before 1 year - you have to give formal notice of 8 weeks anyway -
in your circumstance I think I would ring your manager and say you are now not sure when you are coming back but it won't be next month - and then give your standard notice period timed to when your maternity pay finihes. Or if the two are not that much difference - depends when you started your mat leave you could just give a notice letter and give them a bit longer which I guess they might appriciate.
Also remember you accure holidays while one maternity leave so you need to sort out about them as well. And if they pay any extra maternity pay about the statutory you just need to check if you need to pay if back. HR should be able to help you...
goodluck

Thank you!

I'll look into the holiday thing. Yes I think I will tell my manager that I need the full year off. I get staff discount still and have purchased a few things during my leave - will the difference have to be paid back?

Have you had any occupational maternity pay in addition to the SMP? You need to check your contract if that's the case - most places will want that paid back if you do not return to work.

Ah...

I've just checked and I will have to have worked 6 months in order to pay back nothing. Bugger.

Its not a huge amount of money, will have to sit down and have another chat with OH!!
Thanks for pointing that out, would never of checked!

No problem! I knew that would be leaving after having dc2, so opted beforehand to not have the occupational part - or rather to defer it, so that if if IF I went back, I would be paid lump sum of the accrued OMP, but if I didn't go back, there wouldn't be anything to pay. Local government.