I have been told two bits of conflicting information, I have been told that if i chose to leave my employer at the end of my maternity leave without returning to work, i would have to pay the maternity pay back? someone also mentioned i need to return to my previous employer for at least 6 weeks before i leave so i don't get this penalty. Is this correct?
You won't have to repay anything if you don't return provided (I think) you don't tell your employer at the outset that you definitely won't return.
Buildersmate will know the precise details.
You will not have to pay back any SMP whether you return to your job or not at the end of SML and AML, but you WILL have to pay back anything paid to you as an enhancement to your SMP - which I am sure Chris has said in his reply in jobs and education
Thank you all for your responses.
To be honest from the way they have treated me when i have been on maternity leave, I wont be going back!
Just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't owe them anything.
Here's a Controversial answer - ask HR what it says in the Company policy...... then you could go on the sick for that period and any additional monies rec'd whilst on maternity will not then be repayable.
no you dont have to pay back a penny as it is not your employer that pays you meternity allowence but comes from taxes you have paid. I know because ive done this.