leaving work without maternity pay?

RoxieW

Tight !!!!!!s - still, its better than nothing. i'd reply saying, 'just to confirm - so if i decide not to return, i dont have to pay this money back, as you previously advised me?'

cazziebo

OP - you might want to edit your post to remove your own and your company's name.

You will get what's laid out in the letter whether you go back to work or not. It's only any additional company maternity pay that would have to be paid back, and from the looks of it your company doesn't pay anything on top of statutory (many companies don't, it's increasingly rare for companies to pay more.)

I would heed the advice of an earlier poster. You have no idea how you'll feel once baby is here so I would maintain to your company that you will be returning - you can always change your mind.

Bit sad to say this, but I would keep your plans quiet from now on. You may be very lucky and fall pregnant quickly, or it could take some time. Many companies, whether knowingly or not, "write off" women who they think may be leaving to start a family. This could affect any pay rises you might be awarded, or any promotional prospects. Strictly illegal, but it happens and it's difficult to prove.

JCS1

Even though SMP is weekly, you would still get your paid monthly.

Also, your employer claims 92% of SMP back from HMRC, 104% (I think) if classed as a small employer, so it doesn't really cost them anything.

jkmum

RoxieW wrote: »

Tight !!!!!!s - still, its better than nothing.'

It's more than I got when I returned to work after paying tax and childcare! (albiet for 2 kids - but still...! gave up work cos thought if Gordon wasn't going to help me with childcare I wasn't going to let him have a penny:D)

That reminds me, it's worth looking into if your company do childcare vouchers to help with your budgeting.

Savvy_Sue

As for managing on one salary, you start trying to manage on one salary now, living Old Style, making sure all your outgoings are as low as possible!

RoxieW

jkmum wrote: »

It's more than I got when I returned to work after paying tax and childcare! (albiet for 2 kids - but still...! gave up work cos thought if Gordon wasn't going to help me with childcare I wasn't going to let him have a penny:D)

That reminds me, it's worth looking into if your company do childcare vouchers to help with your budgeting.

Ah yes, with 2 boys and one on the way, with no childcare help it seems that I have to write myself off!! But dont get me started on the tax credits system and how two parent, hard working families are penalised - thats a whole other thread!

Spendless

No end of people said this to me when I was pregnant.:rolleyes: Not sure if it's an urban myth or if it really used to happen, but anyway as mentioned it's only if you are paid over and above the statuory amount that you have to pay that bit back if you don't return to work for them for so long (and no idea how long) after maternity leave.

tigtag02

A point to note is that you cannot leave until the 11th week before the baby is due and not the 15th as your email states

tt

Floxxie

RoxieW wrote: »

Ah yes, with 2 boys and one on the way, with no childcare help it seems that I have to write myself off!! But dont get me started on the tax credits system and how two parent, hard working families are penalised - thats a whole other thread!

Congratulations Roxie on the pregnancy! I had been following your thread and your question about having another.

I'm on maternity leave after having my third. I found out I was pregnant with him in my first week of starting a new job (!). The benefits of this were that I got paid Maternity Allowance (same as SMP but you don't get paid the first 6 weeks at 90%, you get paid 39 weeks at £118 or whatever it is at the mo and it is NOT taxable so it worked out great for me).

Anyway, just wanted to add to all the other comments - read up on maternity rights and never tell your employer what you will do after baby is born because you don't know yourself. Also please be aware that the majority of people do not get any help with childcare, no matter what the popular media will have people believe, so it may not be worth you going back. As suggested, live on one salary and take into account you will receive child benefit and tax credits (if not earning over £75k ish jointly)

I'm in the position that I cannot afford to go back - yes I agree Roxie! - but if I fell pregnant during my mat leave, I would certainly utilise the system. Has anybody got pregnant during their mat leave by the way?

P.S. Good luck on TTC.
Floxxie

Paparika

djdymond wrote: »

thanks everyone.

were going to move next month and the mortgage is double the rent pay ow which is whats causing us the worry and its hard for me as ive wanted a baby for over a year now...

anyone else had this worry? i said to oh i would go back to work but oh doesnt want me to because of the expense of child minding and to be honest i dont want to go back to work till the baby is at school. but id be on my second by then!

were worried how on earth ohs wages pays off everything each month with some left over for food!!!

Let them think you will be going back.

And don't forget if OH money is low then you have working tax credits and child tax credits to help you