Do I have to go back?

[Someoneelsee]

I'm nearing the end of my maternity leave and my life's very different than how it was when I left. Due to a major change in circumstances it's just not possible for me to fit work in to my life now.
As I was given more than the statutory maternity allowance, does this mean I have to return to work otherwise il need to repay the difference? If so, how long do I need to go back for before I can leave.
Thank you

Your employer should be able to tell you if you need to return for a certain amount of time. No-one on here can tell you as employer terms and conditions will differ

What if someone worked for the same company as me?

You haven't said who you work for

Tesco

What does it say in your paperwork?

It will tell you in your contract/staff handbook/maternity policy if you have to go back and how long for.
You don't actually have to go back, you may have to repay part or all of your maternity pay above statutory if you don't

There's no mention of paying anything back, it just says "if you decide not to return to work you are simply resigning from your job and should therefore give your employer the normal notice set out in your contract. You can serve your notice period whilst on maternity leave" no mention of money. Suppose il have to ask, I just wanted to go into a meeting with the facts. Thanks

Sounds from that like you just need to give the required notice during your maternity leave and time it so that the end of the notice periods matches the end of your maternity leave

If you absolutely can't go back then your only issue is whether you have to pay back your enhanced maternity pay. Just resign then they will advise you.

Sounds like you don't have to pay anything back going by that excerpt, but ideally you should have given notice a month (or whatever your notice period is) before the end of your mat leave. Give them a ring and sort something out.

You probably also accrue holiday whilst on maternity so speak to someone in your personnel dept.