Repayment of salary/returning to work rules

[Archie-lab]

I started maternity leave on 1st January and have recently had a baby after working for a company for 2 years in a very demanding role (mostly working in excess of 50 hours per week). Must I repay the first 3 months full pay they are offering me before I go onto SMP if I don’t return to work at the same company? If so, how long would I have to return working there for them (and when) before this is no longer the case? I cannot imagine returning to a full time role there as it is so demanding and as it’s only a small company, I cannot see how I could be offered an alternative role (at the same salary) on a p/t basis. We are financially going to struggle if I don’t return to work and I know I must work somewhere/somehow, but I know I will feel pressured by my current employer to return much sooner than I want to. I just cannot see a way of combining this job with my baby, in 3-6-9 months or at all. Any help/advice would be very gratefully received as I know they will start to ask me questions about it soon and I need to financially make plans.

[Tiggerr]

Hi Archie-lab and welcome.

Did you mean to post here? This is a weight loss forum and people here can definitely help you with ways and means of weight loss.

Maybe someone will have some experience/knowledge specific to your needs.

I hope you find answers to your satisfaction

[Archie-lab]

Sorry! Wrong platform! Thanks for pointing it out! 🙈

[RG07 Maintainer in reply to Archie-lab]

despite that I would speak to HR at your firm or if in a union- a union rep

[Tiggerr in reply to Archie-lab]

Best of luck!

[Hidden in reply to Archie-lab]

Citizens Advice bureau if you are in the UK is a very good and free source of advice.