Nhs worker - not returning to work after maternity leave

[disneyreg]

Hey

I don't think I'll be able to return to work after my maternity leave for various reasons which I won't go into.

Just wondered if anyone else has done this who work for the nhs and how paying back your omp worked?

Would I be able to pay in instalments?

How long do you get to pay it back?

Also when would I need to advise them that I won't be returning? I'm band 6 for reference.

Thought I'd ask on here before calling my HR dpt as they're impossible to get through to at the best of times!

Thanks in advance

You'll be able to offer installments - they can't take what you don't have. You need to tell them as soon as possible, though.

@disneyreg do you have accrued annual leave & be able to work odd days? If so you may be able to meet the requirement to return to work.

You only have to return for 3 months. If you take all your annual leave you might only be returning for a very short period of time!

Usually process is they'll write it back and invoice the net amount. Any holiday owing to you will be deducted. Invoice issued with 30 day payment terms but they usually accept instalments

Yes This

Glad to see its the same as it was in 1991

Had my firstborn in early 1991 and returned to work in the Summer for 3 months then left entirely

Also could you transfer to somewhere where you could do ‘light duties’?

I would also consider whether using annual leave you have accrued throughout your mat leave would allow for a very short period of return.

Thanks all, I won't be able to return in the current position as it's an on call basis (days and nights) and I have no one to look after my baby now.

I also won't have much holiday allowance because my maternity leave was July (23) - June (24) so I had to take all of 2023's annual leave prior to mat leave. If I do go back I would 3 weeks worth of annual leave to take so not much really.

Basically in order to go back at all it would have to be on a 'casual' basis so last minute shifts which I know they won't accept, sadly my trust aren't very lenient and many of my colleagues have left in the last year due to this it's sad as they're loosing staff but there just isn't any flexibility at all - so I'm preparing myself for not being able to return and the hit I'll take. I should note I'm going to be saving all of my omp going forward but I know I won't be able to pay it all back in one payment so wondered if I could in stages.

Thanks for all the replies x

That really sucks. I wouldn't give up easily though, I would ask for temporary role change. Could you try to contact unions?

Could you look for another job in the trust ?

Ive never worked in the nhs so sorry if this is a stupid question - can you aak to transfer to a different role like admin (even if it is lower paid) for the 3 months?

I'm not 100% sure I guess I could ask! It wouldn't be as simple as changing roles in any other job though as I'm a midwife and changing roll would just be to a rotational midwife (all shift work) which wouldn't work for me and other jobs in the same profession are specialist roles , as I've been paid band 6 I would have to work back the hours of equal to the pay that I've earned if that makes sense. So taking a lower banding job would mean I'd have to work more hours back.

Atm it's looking like bank work might be my best option as the hours are not contracted x

@disneyreg wrt repaying a reasonable employer will work on the basis that a willingness to repay in instalments is much better than having to pursue for non-payment.

This is a case where picking up the phone rather than email is beneficial as you can get a better idea of what instalments they consider reasonable.

One of the things you want to make sure of is that your NI & Tax are refunded. You may need to liaise with HMRC to do this.

How did this plan out for you? I'm currently in this position now I have used 1 month annual leave already so only have 2 months left to pay back the OMP! Its so confusing

Same here! I am a band 6, on mat leave (almost half way through my year) and certain I do not wish to return. I would like to know how the repayment process works if anyone has a clue, please! I thought I would want to go back when I started mat leave, but my mh declined over time in that job and I just want to be at home with my little one now. Maybe I'll return on day but not for a few years at least. I used annual leave at the start of the year but doubt I'll have much left. I'm happy to pay back I just need to plan ahead how I do that, for peace of mind!

Dont tell them you are leaving. Go along with your agreed return to work date and then get a gp fit note take sick leave for the 3 months return period. Then you can resign. You don't actually have to physically return, you just can't end your employment within 3 months.

@Lorelaigilmore88 a fit note for what though! A GP isn’t going to just magic a 3 month for note for no reason!

OP can you look for an alternative NHS role in another organisation? It just needs to be another NHS role, doesn’t have to be the same place you currently work?

Also I don’t know what you mean about having to work in another band 6 job? Your maternity pay is based on what you earned in your qualifying week. Pretty sure the rules don’t specify that you have to return to the same banded role? Just that you need to return?