FertilityZone

If you recieve above the statutory maternity package (90% for 6 weeks then £117 per week for upto 39 weeks) then you have to pay back the difference hun, and no its not wrong, it is your entitlement whether you intend to go back or not. The statutory package is paid by your employer and re-imbursed by the government

Contractual (company) maternity pay
Your employer might have their own maternity pay scheme. Check your contract of employment or staff handbook, or ask your employer's HR department. Some company schemes require you to pay back some money if you don't come back to work. However, you must be paid at least as much as SMP (if you qualify), which doesn't have to be repaid.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

More about Statutory Maternity Pay If you have the right to receive SMP, you'll get it even if you decide to leave your job (or are made redundant) before you start receiving SMP. Also once you start getting it, your employer must continue to pay SMP to you even if you leave your job or are made redundant. You don't have to repay it if you decide not to go back to work or leave your job whilst getting SMP.



There may be a clause that you can keep your mat pay if you return for a short term your HR dept should be able to advise you on exact dates. That could also be returning part time from full time.

ACAS at http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1341 will help you out with all your enquiries. They are a government site with advisors to help you with your enquiries and very good.

Kate x

Lots of links in this thread hun

MATERNITY LEAVE/PAY/BENEFITS

Hi - just wanted to say I felt like you when DD was born. I saved the m/l pay and put it in an ISA account. I was pretty sure I wouldn't go back so that way it was there if I needed to repay it and it also gave us a chance to see if we could cope without my pay.

In the end I did go back, my employers were miles more understanding than I thought they would be. I would really advise against making a decision now - you never know how you will feel in a few months time or what your circumstances will be.

Elmo

I have decided not to go back for the same reasons, childcare costs etc and I didnt have to pay any mat pay back. I am supposed to be returning on November 2nd but have decided to be a stay at home mum.

I handed my notice in 2 weeks ago as I had to give a months notice and I will recieve my last lot of M/L this month. It will be hard but tbh it is not worth my while returning to work and I know I couldnt leave the girls. Its going to be hard with only DH bringing the income in as we are not entitled to any Tax credits or anything but we'll just have to manage.

Good luck with your decision x

i was wondering this question as well as i cant see me going back to work in may when i am due back, just thinking about it now makes me want to cry.

xxx