Maternity leave and moving?

renowen

Hi there, I have some big life choices to make so im hoping for some advice

I currently work as a nursery nurse for a private nursery attatched to a hospital, so I am employed by the NHS.

I am currently on maternity leave (SMP) and aside from the first 6 weeks I have been recieving the minimum SMP as I had not worked long enough for the NHS to recieve the full maternity pay.

With the new arrival, although we manage, my family have outgrown our home, but as I live in London moving to a larger property is not an option right now - However we could if we moved to another area further north or the country.

I was not intending on moving untill after I had returned to work and worked the 3 months required to not have to pay back any maternity pay but an opportunity has arised which would mean moving before I am due to return to work.

My question is - if I was to find another job working for the NHS to start when im due to return to work would this count as my 3 months? If so does the fact I am a nursery nurse and not actually 'hospital staff' make a difference?

I realise I can just call payroll and ask but im always wary that it will get back to my manager as the maternity co-ordinator and childcare co-ordinator (my boss) are the same person!

Many thanks

mariefab

Did you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks and £124.88 thereafter?
If so, you have only received the statutory minimum entitlement.
Your employer will recover 92% of this from HMRC.

If you don't return to work at the end of your maternity leave you do not have to repay any of it.
If you resign your employer must continue to pay you SMP for the whole 33 weeks, unless you start a new job during that period.
The '3 months' that you are concerned about would only apply to any contractual maternity pay that you received in addition to the SMP.

renowen

Thank you Mariefab

I had hoped this was the case and im glad to see it is.

Thanks again

clairec79

Even if you did get extra then it's ANY NHS trust - was checking the maternity policy the other day