Applying for a job while on maternity leave

[DefinitelyNotMe]

I am 3 months into my planned 10 months maternity leave. A job has arisen in my team that I think I can do, and would amount to a promotion. I've discussed it with my manager and he's happy for me to apply, but if I was offered the post, does anyone know how this could affect my maternity leave? Can they ask me to come back sooner, or not offer me the post because I wouldn't take it up for 6 months? Anyone had any experience of this?

It doesn't affect your maternity leave at all. You still get to decide when to come back, and they can't not offer you the job because of your maternity leave, although realistically if it were you and another candidate who was ready to go straight away and you were both neck and neck otherwise, the fact that you are on maternity leave wouldn't help you.

Thanks flowery, that's what I had hoped!