Month's work as repayment for Enhanced Maternity Leave - can this come out of accrued annual leave?

[CloudWallaby]

I work in the public sector and am currently O'b maternity leave. The mat leave policy states that if I don't return to work for 1 month at the end of this I am liable to pay back all Enhanced Maternity Leave.

Does anyone know if I can simply hand in my notice and use the annual leave/public holiday entitlement as the month's work? I am now living overseas and would rather not return just to work for a month...it also seems that it would be a hassle for my employer to find me a new role (my post wasn't kept open) and have me there for a month and then leave...
I don't want to mess my employers around but obviously I also don't want to lose the money!
Many thanks in advance.

I did - almost.... I worked in the public sector too...

I saved a month's leave to use specifically for that purpose, but I HAD to return for half a day for my end of employment "debrief" - something to do with having signed the official secrets act etc,
and talk about future employment not being allowed to be related to past employment for a year, pension details, and a general "what would you change" "do you have any problems with your management team etc" anti-bullying type debrief...

good luck....

You can where I work (central government)

Thanks so much both of you, that's really helpful