Not going back to work after maternity leave

[Megwan]

I was wondering has anyone else not gone back to work after maternity leave? Im currently 7 months in on maternity leave and im thinking about not going back. Does anyone know how i would need to tell my employer? Nothing in my contract states that i would need to give notice, so do i just go in with a letter?

Did you receive any occupational maternity pay over the usual statutory maternity pay? If you don't return to work you may need to pay that back. I assume if you plan to leave then you would give the appropriate length of notice as any other employer. So if it's a month then send a letter/email of resignation one month before you are due to return from leave. Don't forget to take into account your accrued annual leave.

I didn’t... I knew this was a strong possibility so I didn’t take the enhanced pay. Had I gone back I would have received it as a lump sum, but I didn’t want the faff of having to pay it back!
I then went to see my head teacher and followed up with a letter giving notice.

I didn't. I accepted voluntary redundancy during my mat leave - so I just had to take my computer back. But it will depend on your companies maternity leave policy how much notice you need to give.