Accrued holiday pay while on mat leave, do I get paid it if I don't go back?

[Paddingtonblue]

I have been on mat. leave for 7 months and due to a change in circumstances (what do you mean I am pregnant again?!?!), I am not going back to work. I told them this today, but it just occured to me that I might get paid out for the holiday that I accrued while I was on leave. Is this correct. Seems a little cheeky somehow.....can anyone tell me please

Yes Paddington, if you are leaving employment, it's perfectly fine to be paid in lieu of holidays accrued but not taken. Just a point though - you've told them now that you're not going back, but if you went on mat leave 7 months ago you have 5 months more mat leave (and therefore holiday accrual) left. Are they very clear that your last day of employment will be the last day of your maternity leave or have you given your normal notice period starting now and will be leaving employment in a month (or whatever)?

(Are you really pregnant again? )

Thanks Flowery, they are clear that my last day is in two months when the nine months we had initially agreed is up. This will be a helpful wee bit of money as yes, I really am pregnant again . DS tooks months of meticulous planning and ovulation test usage, this one is pretty close to an immaculate conception . Thanks again, will check that it will be paid out.

Congratulations!

Just to add though, you get a year maternity leave, not 9 months, and you accrue holiday for all that, even though you don't get pay for all of it. Your employer should always assume you are going to take the full year unless and until you inform them formally that you are coming back early, regardless of what 'agreement' you might have made when your leave started.

So you have an extra 3 months of holiday that you are entitled to. Adds up to quite a bit, that's 6 days if you work full time. I'd make sure you write to them and confirm that your last day of employment will be the last possible day of your maternity leave, not 9 months.

Oh yes, definitely agree with flowery.

Congratulations!

Hmm, that sounds like a very good idea. I will do that. Thanks so much for your elp.

This is why I love MN. Am in a similar situation to you Paddington -- not going back to work at the end of my maternity leave (although I am not pregnant!). I had confirmation from HR today of my holiday accrual, which I doubted just very slightly, so I am delighted to see this thread which confirms that they are in fact correct!!

Many congratulations on your pregnancy.

at the immaculate conception!