Maternity leave - Childcare vouchers - not returning to work

[Coconutfeet]

I have been following with interest the various threads about payment of childcare vouchers whilst on maternity leave. This is something I need to challenge my employer about.

I've just started maternity leave. DS1 will still be going to nursery during this time. I am currently unsure about whether I will be returning to work and am considering having the half-pay portion of my maternity pay saved up for by my employer to save me having to pay it all back if I don't return.

I'm unsure what would happen with the childcare voucher payments that they have made. Would I have to pay them back as well?

You don't have to pay vouchers back, no. But your employer is entitled to deduct the cost of vouchers from anything it pays you over and above SMP, so I would expect that to be taken into account.

Thanks for replying flowery. I'm a bit unclear what this means. (Sorry - heavily pregnant and very tired)

If I don't go back to work, and therefore don't ever receive the 12 weeks half pay, as it was being held back for me, what would this mean in terms of voucher payments?

They will (or could) have deducted voucher payments from the half pay, meaning the balance you would have received would be lower, but if you don't return, you won't get any of it. They can't claim money from you after the event for a benefit provided during maternity leave, same as a company car or private healthcare or anything else that people might have as benefits.

Oh I see, thank you!