leaving work without maternity pay?

oystercatcher

Definitely let them think you are going back as you don't know what will happen.

It's a long time ago now and the system was different in those days but I told my work I wasn't going back , took less maternity pay and ended up having to go back because my baby had died
At the time I was just glad they let me have my job back but I did lose money.

Don't worry there's a happy ending I have three lovely teenagers now

The other thing is don't let people know you are trying as it's incredibly annoying having people ask "Any news ? " when either there frustratingly isn't any news or there is news but you don't want to let on yet ..... I am terrible at telling even little white lies .

Oystercatcher

kazwookie

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/smp-faq.htm

pollyanna24

Just thought I'd add my tuppence (not sure if it's worth that much ).

I am currently 30 weeks and have been upfront with my boss from the beginning. I don't know if I'll be going back to work. A lot depends on whether my bf gets a job he is going for. If he does, then I don't have to work. If he doesn't, then he will give up work to be primary carer once my maternity is up.

I never expected my boss to pay any more than SMP because why should he? I have chosen to have a child and he has to pay my replacement. SMP is fine as he will be getting that back from the government and I feel I deserve it after the money I have ploughed into the system over the years (never claimed anything before).

We planned to have a kid and so have saved accordingly. We have quite a big mortgage and bf is not on the biggest of pay, but we have lived frugally for so long that I'm hoping we will be okay.

Still, it would be nice to have more money, but I have planned and budgeted thinking that I won't. Maybe he'll give me a nice fat cheque before I leave, but I doubt it.

PS. He has just given me my letter regarding pay. It is definitely 6 weeks @ 90% pay, then 33 weeks at £117.18. Then you can take another 3 months off unpaid. After that, I'm guessing they don't have to take you back if you don't go back after the year. And you definitely don't have to pay back SMP regardless of whether or not you go back to work.