Childcare vouchers on maternity leave

debbie_debt

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on maternity leave and getting the full £243 a month in childcare vouchers. I’m on SMP and so I’m not being charged for the vouchers at all. I was under the impression that I’ll never pay for them, but a friend of mine in the same situation has just been told she’ll have to pay for them all once she goes back to work, meaning she’ll be very skint. Can they do this? Is it standard practice for an employer to deduct backdated childcare vouchers after maternity leave?

Thanks for any advice! Particularly from anyone who’s been on maternity leave. Thanks

Debbie

Takeaway_Addict

debbie_debt wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on maternity leave and getting the full £243 a month in childcare vouchers. I’m on SMP and so I’m not being charged for the vouchers at all. I was under the impression that I’ll never pay for them, but a friend of mine in the same situation has just been told she’ll have to pay for them all once she goes back to work, meaning she’ll be very skint. Can they do this? Is it standard practice for an employer to deduct backdated childcare vouchers after maternity leave?

Thanks for any advice! Particularly from anyone who’s been on maternity leave. Thanks

Debbie

It used to be that the vouchers were seen as a benefit so the employer had to pay for them even when on maternity (Hence the take up in private companies was very very very low).

However, on a recent thread someone had said that Peninsuala won a case that meant employers did not have to pay for them on top of maternity pay which is why your friends employer is probably claiming them back or at least trying to.

maisie_cat

Aren't childcare vouchers a salary sacrifice scheme? if so you need to earn at least the amount of the vouchers before tax for the sacrifice to work. If not you will indeed owe your employer. as I assume you are or are planning to use them. They are usually anualised but paid monthly so if you are on mat leave you won't need childcare and can use them later in the year assuming that your childcare is enough

Mupette

Each employer is different, they don't have to pay your vouchers when you are on Mat leave, some do, some don't.

It's just pot luck.