I have had contractual maternity pay, used my holidays and don't want to return to work will i have to pay b

Question

I have had contractual maternity pay, used my holidays and don't want to return to work will i have to pay b

Answer 1

you don't pay back any statutory maternity pay you have received, but anything above this has been contractual and agreed  between you and your employer. Your contract should tell you what happens in the event you don't return. your employer may also have sent you these details when your maternity leave started. I think it is likely that your contract will stipulate that you will pay back any maternity pay if you do not return for a specific period of time

Answer 2

Pay it back?

It will completely depend on your employment contract and employer maternity policy. I'd say it is unlikely but not impossible. You need to try and check this.

Mine is that I get maternity leave at 70% of my salary for 6 months and then as long as I go back to work for at least 3 months I get a return to work bonus of the remainder (ie: 30% for 6 months).

Worst case is you may have to go back for 3 months to ensure you don't have to pay it back. MIght not be a bad thing if that was your plan all along. Right now i'd imagine you're feeling understandably adamant against leaving your baby but a few months may mean you make a more relaxed impartial decision.

Answer 3

Any Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance paid is never repayable.  However if you have been paid sums in excess of statutory entitlement and you dont return to work then these sums may have to be repaid.  Whether they are repayable or not depends solely on your contract of employment or if appropriate what was agreed when you went on maternity leave