when can i give my notice?

helzbelz_57

i started back to work four weeks ago after maternity leave. my employer paid 14 weeks maternity pay and then i got smp. do i have to work 14 weeks before i can give my notice or can i work 10 weeks and give my 4 weeks notice?

a friend said she thought it was 12 weeks but i presumed it was 14 because that is how long they paid maternity pay for.

also, am i able to use annual leave dueing my notice period or do i have to use it before i give notice?

Savvy_Sue

I can't answer the first question, I'd have thought that should be in your employer's policy on maternity pay. To my mind you can resign when you like, but I think what you're asking is "How many weeks do I have to work without having to repay the difference between Statutory MP and what my employer paid me."

helzbelz_57 wrote: »

also, am i able to use annual leave dueing my notice period or do i have to use it before i give notice?

That depends. Your employer may allow you to use your annual leave as part of your notice, but they're not obliged to do so. If they don't allow you to do so, they have to pay it to you.

helzbelz_57

yes, sorry, that is what i meant re the first question. thank you i will have a look on monday and see what the policy states.

pinkshoes

It depends on the company's policy.

The last company I worked at paid different rates depending on how long you'd worked for them.

Those who had been there over 5 years got 15 weeks on full pay then SMP, but had to return to work for a full 12 months after maternity leave, or pay back the difference between 15 weeks full pay and SMP (6 weeks at 90% then £123/week).

They did give you the option of just smp, then receiving the lump sum equivalent after your 12 months return, just in case!

angel.cake_2

Check your contract and T&C as the maternity policy should be clearly stated. Also, it should be on the letter of confirmation that your employer legally had to give you confirming your maternity leave and pay.

As others have said, annual leave in a notice period is at the employers discretion. You could always get leave approved before your resign though. They can't cancel it once they have approved it.