I am already on maternity leave. Am I allowed to change the date that I will return to work?

Yes, provided you give the right notice. If you qualified for Ordinary Maternity Leave only, then your employer will be expecting you to return on the day after your 26 weeks of leave has finished. If you qualified for Ordinary and Additional Maternity Leave then your employer will be expecting you to return on the day after your 52 weeks of leave has finished. If you wish to change this date, then you must let your employer know a minimum of 28 days before the date you intend to return on, and it is advisable you put this in writing. If you fail to give the correct notice, your employer can delay your return for 28 days and if you work for your employer during this time they can refuse to pay you.

If your baby is due on or after 1st April 2007 then the rules will change and you will have to give a minimum of 56 days' notice of your intention to change your return date. If you fail to give the correct notice, your employer can delay your return for 56 days and if you work for your employer during this time they can refuse to pay you.