repaying maternity pay

aligerdie

hi there

don't know if i've posted this on the right board, but I'm looking for a bit of advice.

It looks like I won't be returning to work after my maternity leave as I cannot sort out hours and childcare.

Because of this I'm going to have to repay my maternity leave, how does this work? Because of the amount of money it is there is no way I can pay it back in one go, will I be allowed to pay it back gradually?

Thanks alot xx

skeeterwckt

I have never heard of having to repay maternity pay after leaving work when you have had a baby, not sure this is legal ? You reserve the right to give up work after the baby has been born surely ? Maternity pay is your right as an employee, i dont know anything solid but i am sure there will be someone on here that can help you out.

skylight

Do you mean normal government based maternity pay (SMP) or extra maternity pay that was paid by your employer outlined in your contract (not all people are lucky enough to get this).

If the later then what does your contract state about getting extra maternity and paying it back?

bryanb

Statutory Mat pay is not repayable, anything extra the company has paid will depend on the terms of employment. Why not go back for a week or two then resign?

aligerdie

thanks for all your replies!

I received normal pay off my employer (civil service) for 6 months maternity, but took an additional 6 months unpaid too.

The statutory pay was included in my pay, but the additional was paid by my employer, which will need to be paid back.

I can't go back to work as I have 2 little ones under 18 months and I can't get any childcare. I did look into the option, but its not feasible in this area.

I really don't know what to do! x

aligerdie

skylight wrote: »

Do you mean normal government based maternity pay (SMP) or extra maternity pay that was paid by your employer outlined in your contract (not all people are lucky enough to get this).

If the later then what does your contract state about getting extra maternity and paying it back?

I *think* it states that if I don't return to work after the period of 16 weeks (or 52 with unpaid leave too) then it has to be paid back. That said, I could go back for a month and hand my notice in, but I can't get anyone to have the monsters!

thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it x

skylight

Well, Feb is a long way off. Could you have a childminder for one and a relative for the other? Its only for a short period. Child tax credits would help to cover some of the cost of the childminder (registered ones only).

Get yourself off to the local parent and toddler groups - as most women there will be child minders - you can discuss this with them in a few weeks/months and get to know them as well.

It would be better to go back to resign rather than have to scrimp to pay it back.

aligerdie

I know, but my work are pushing for me to sort this out. Sadly my relatives have refused to help me out, and my OH family live too far away to help (even though they've offered.)
If I can't get anyone and I do have to repay it, can it be in installments? I have no idea how this works

bryanb

How did you manage when it was one child? Couldn't you do the same again?

McKneff

firstly you say yu only think that you have to pay maternity pay back. show
this to someone to check or see the CAB to check (or ring ACAS)

if your oh family have offered to help but are too far away why cant one of them come to stay for a week/month.

If all else fails, ring in sick.

SuziQ

My sister was in this position,civil service too,but she didn't have to repay-check what their current terms are as you may be lucky. I think it is too soon anyway for you to give up on being able to return next Feb-with my last child it took up until a month before my return to work for me to find a childminder I was happy with. I expect you may be eligible for help with this cost also depending on total family income.