Do I need to return to work after maternity leave?

[MrsAlbie]

I'm currently on maternity leave from my job in the private sector.

I am only entitled to statutory maternity leave and pay (39 weeks).

Our annual leave year runs September to August. I used up two weeks of holiday days (my whole entitlement for year was then used up) before technically starting my maternity leave on 27/12/17. I reckon that makes me due back mid-September 2018.

I'm pretty certain I don't want to return to that workplace and will probably look for something new when my DS is a little older.

When should I tell them this? Is it better to request flexible working (they're likely to turn that request down - precedent set) and then say I don't want to go back? Or be honest straight away and tell them now?

My other question is do I owe them any days because I took my full holiday entitlement before the holiday year ended? I'm worried I'll tell them I won't be returning and they'll say, 'but now you owe us ten days' and I'll have to go back for ten days and it'll be horribly awkward.

I know these kinds of Qs get asked a lot but I couldn't find anything relating to someone only getting SMP and leave.

Thanks.

There would be a further 13 weeks at zero pay if you're entitled to statutory minimum may leave. If you give your notice to leave before that date then you will have accrued holiday from August until then so they'd owe you a few more days pay.
I think it's about 8 weeks before you are due back that you should usually discuss leaving although if your notice period is longer then you'd want to do it to coincide with that.