Continuous service and maternity leave

[Telluride]

I work for a local authority and currently on maternity leave. I really dont want to return to my old job and want to apply for a new job with another council. What im worried about is do I need to pay back my maternity leave or is this covered (like annual leave etc) by continuous service?

I dont want my employer to know my plans at mo and therfore dont trust H.R not to pass this on if a call to make an enquiry. The maternity policy says if you dont return for 3 months you have to pay back maternity leave but there is no mention of continuous service - has anyone had this experience or know about this please?

Hmm, in private sector cont service definately counts even if u return to new department/ location. Public sector I'm less sure of. Mostly because whilst u would be continually employed in public sector generally, I would suppose that councils run their own affairs as individual businesses. Therefore new contracts relating to the new council rather than a transfer of terms...?

There's a lot of PUblic employed and legal people here, someone will know more...

It's not a legal thing when it comes to paying back maternity pay, it's purely the terms and conditions your employer has. Sector makes no difference either.

Can you let us have the exact wording of the policy?