Don't want to return after maternity

[babynelly2010]

Hi, hi I work at civil services and do to return in mid march. I had additional 12 week pay at 50% on top of standard smp and I will need to repay that if I don't return for at least 12 weeks. When my maternity leave ends I will have 4 week holiday remaining. Could my holiday be used to repay that extra maternity pay. So if I had extra pay 12 weeks at 50% that is 6 weeks at full pay. Could I use 4 weeks of holiday and be left with just 2 weeks to repay. Any experience with this. What should I do? Any stories to share? What should I definitely not do? Thank you :-)

Thank you for this advice. I am still thinking on what to do. I think it would not hurt to ask for part time and see what happens. Yes I do not want to return at all.

Just question. Would you recommend asking for reduced hours 1st and then once approved ask fir spread out holiday or be out and open about it right away?

I mean ask for reduced hours and holiday at once?

Why don't you just ask for the maximum career break and then you can decide further down the line.

Double check the specific rules around the 12 week return period before you make any decisions about returning part time - some of the authorities I worked for required the 12 week return to be based on the original contracted hours and a reduction in hours increased the number of weeks that had to be worked.

So for example if you dropped from full time to 0.5 fte, then you had to work 24 weeks instead of 12 weeks in order to not have to repay the OMP.

Worth checking your policy to be on the safe side.

I asked to spread holiday and my manager, who is a not very nice person, refused saying it is not viable for her programme over such long period of time.
So I am in a pickle I cant afford to quit and cant afford to go.
Also my maternity cover was made full time and there is only one spot for that role, so she is working on squeezing me out.
What do I do :(

Full time I mean permanent

I would be surprised if they would consider the 12 weeks repaid if you reduce your hours I would definitely check the wording. If you can afford to stop working long term and that is what you and your partner have decided then I would just do it and absorb the repayment somehow I wouldn't let it stop you.

so if they have made your mat cover permanent and there is only one job for both of you what are they proposing happens if you return full time (which I know isn't your intention) they have to assume you will return on your original contract. There is an organisation called pregnant then screwed who support people who suffer from pregnancy or maternity leave discrimination maybe look on their website

What's your long term plan? Do you still not want to go back to work? Were you only considering returning part time for long enough to not have to repay your mat pay, or would you return to work long term if you were able to return part time?

If you definitely don't want to go back at all, then the simplest course of action is to resign and use your accrued holiday to offset the bulk of the mat pay owed, then come to an affordable repayment arrangement for the balance (2 weeks' pay). They can't realistically force you to pay it back in one go the second you resign, so you'll be able to discuss a repayment arrangement with them for the amount outstanding.

Or you could go back full time for 12 weeks and leave once you've completed the required period (not that long in the grand scheme of things!), keep your mat pay and get paid all your holiday when you leave. Surely the cost of any childcare needed for 12 weeks would be covered by the salary you earn during that period plus 4 weeks holiday pay paid out at the end?

Or go back FT for 8 weeks because you have 4 weeks holiday?

If they've made your mat leave cover permanent they might be happy for you not to return. Have you spoken to HR about the fact your cover has been made permanent before you have told them what you want to do about returning? Sounds like a possible redundancy situation anyway (though dodgy as the post is still there). It might be that they owe you (redundancy) money, not the other way round.

Thank you for these replies. I spoke to pregnant and screwed who were helpful.
I agreed to take holiday in a lumpsum. I will then return for full time and quit right after further 2 weeks. They are sending me some paperwork as they said they are increasing my salary and there is going to be some extra responsibility. Sounds a bit fishy but we shall see what the paper states. I would gladly take redundancy if it was offered!

After 2 months not 2 weeks.

Does sound fishy.
You have to return for 2 months ?!?

Keep us updated.

So, I got a bump in salary, about 10% and more responsibility. I am asking for even more money, just one point scale more, and a title change. My reasons are... you r giving me more money, more responsibilities, you made her permanent at my role, I all I am missing is a better title now.
I could land myself a dream job after this, haha!
Is it even possible to change a job title. Does this happen ever?