maternity leave ending

[Jenarry]

my 26 weeks maternity leave is running out . i know that you are entitled to another 6 months leave unpaid. are there really no benefits you are entitled to.if i leave my job will i get any benefits? i have a lovely partner who is willing to put all his pay to keeping us if i stay off work longer but unfortunately is not enough to cover our bills,mortgage etc.i'm happy to return to work but would much rather do it after 12 months rather than 6...baby seems so young.any advice?

[atolhurst]

Depends on your terms and conditions but from a legal point of view, nothing compulsary

Your employment is left open for you (unless the co really need to fill the role or have a restructure) and your length of service isn't affected at all. And if you have BUPA, a lot of company's keep the cover for you during that time.

I'm sure it's really hard. Maybe you could ask to go back part time. As you have a child under 5 (or under 18 if they are disabled), the company have to consider an application for flexible working seriously.

[morbidstorm]

Hiya,

If you are thinking about not going back to work and you have been claiming maternity pay, check with your employer first, as many companies make you pay back some of your maternity pay if you leave at the end of your maternity leave.

Try the government website?

[havinmysay]

you will not have to pay back any of your maternity pay at all thats what i did took my maternity pay then handed my notice in have a word with your employer and u may be able to do flexi time or at least part time i were ready to go back to work when my baby was 7 months or phone your local benefits number

[THECORBYLOON]

havinmysay if a woman chooses not to return to work, Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) does not have to be paid back but Company Maternity Pay MAYneed to be paid back. If a woman qualifies for it she may get SMP topped up to a higher rate because of the Company's scheme and they can ask for the return of the topped-up portion.

You should have a look at the Tax Credits Calulator here
http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qua lify/DIQHousehold.aspx

[curiosity]

You are entitled to unpaid parental leave, it's 6 years ago since I read about this, but I think it was for up to a year, for either mother or father. If you work for a public service or company you will probably have a few options, temporary reduction in hours or flexible working time. I felt like you after my last child (now 6) I couldn't believe that my health visitor told me to go off sick for 6 months (I work for the NHS and would get full pay) she was surprised I didn't want to do this. To be honest, once I got back to work, everything was great, I dropped my hours (temporarily, which has now turned into term time only working) and I get the best of both worlds, due to flexible working practices. Find out what your company allow. Or take my health visitors advice, however, I think you'd feel bad.

[bohochick]

why don't you try and get a mortgage holiday for 6 months that way your biggest debt is put on hold till you go back to work.
i did this after having my baby as i too felt that 6 months was too young to leave her. money was tight but definately worth it.
i'm back at work part time and loving it, so think it through properly if you are thinking of giving up all together.
good luck

[cascarelli]

You're entitled to ask your employer for flexible hours to suit you, they don't have to agree but they must consider it

[Jenarry]

i will be going back part-time but just want to put it off a little bit. mortgage holiday sounds like v.good idea. going to look into it.thankyou.

[Jenarry]

have looked into having mortgage holiday for few months but mortgage provider said no-only available on flexible mortgages. damn,would've been perfect!! think may use some savings so can stay off just for another month or two then go back part-time.