Anyone know what happens if I'm off sick when returning after maternity leave.

[Meglet]

I'm due back at work after 1 years maternity leave at the end of July but will probably be having a hysterectomy in the summer and be off for 2-3 months.

What happens if I can't return to work at the end of maternity leave? Am I still entitled to sick pay, obviously I will be signed off sick while I am recovering so I can prove what I've had done!

thanks in advance.

Meglet your entitlement to sick pay will be exactly what it would have been had you not been on maternity leave - the fact that you were previously on maternity leave should make no difference. Check your sick pay policy to see what the rules are.

Is there a waiting list for the op?
Just thinking that if you have asked for date in the summer and have delayed it then maybe they will have a case to say you scheduled it for when you will be back at work when you could have had it sooner?
Not saying you have! Just trying to pre-empt anything they could say!

It's not an uncommon situation. Basically when your maternity leave ends as long as you've not handed in your notice then you are back at work with all your normal terms and conditions based on total length of service. Therefore you are entitled to sick pay provided you meet all the normal conditions ie sick notes etc. It would imo be a good idea to let your boss know now that you have this situation. They will be gutted if they let your maternity cover person go and then find out you won't be back for a bit!

ihearteastereggs I'm not sure how long I'll have to wait. Its being done as a preventative measure against cervical cancer, so the consultant might want it done urgently if my last colposcopy has a very dodgy result. Then again he said they don't like to operate on mums with children under one, so he might do it in sept after dd's first birthday.

Thanks for your replies. Once I know what time scale I'm looking at I'll let work know. Just wanted to have an idea what would happen financially.