How much notice do you need to give employers before returning from mat leave?

[gorgeous2012]

Im currently on 3 months notice...

I had to formally tell them 8 weeks before returning back, not sure if this was just my companies policy though?

At my place it is assumed I'm taking the year and if I want to return early it's 2 months notice.

It's not always dependent on your actual notice period.
I would advise checking all the correspondence you had from them about the dates of your mat leave and/or the mat leave policy. Or give them a call and ask. It's usually at least 4 weeks so that they can give notice to the person who may be covering your post while you are away.

8 weeks if returning earlier than the date you agreed when you went off. If you didn't agree a return date, they assume you will take your full 52 weeks.

Your notice period to leave isn't relevant to it, it's a statutory thing.

Also, employers will often have you back sooner if they miss you! Mine would probably have had people back on about 20 minutes notice if you'd offered!