do i have to return to work after maternity leave?

[lizwhitehead]

i have been working in my job for 3 years and have taken the statutory 26weeks maternity leave. do i have to return to work after this?
if i dont, will i have to pay back my maternity pay??

[EmEd1984]

if its statutory (SMP), no you don't legally have to return to work after taking maternity. however, if they're paying you anything over and above SMP, they might insist on it, perhaps its in your contract.

[EmEd1984]

sorry, that reads funny! you don't have to return in either circumstance, and you don't have to pay back SMP!

[lizwhitehead]

cool. i've heard you have to go back to work for a month then leave to keep the smp. is this true or can i just not return?

[EmEd1984]

thats not something i've heard, no. you just need to give the correct amount of notice as you would as if you were still there and not on smp.