Once I’m on maternity leave, do I have to let my employer know that I’m returning to work?

Although you do not need to give any notice that you are returning to work at the end of your maternity leave, and you can simply turn up at work on the day that you are due back, you might find it helpful to contact your employer just to make sure that they know you’re coming back!

However, if you wish to return to work earlier than your 52 weeks entitlement, you must give your employer 56 days’/8 weeks’ notice of your intention to return early. If you fail to do this, and turn up to work anyway, your employer can refuse to pay you.

Your employer must also give you 56 days’ notice of when your maternity leave period is due to end. If your employer fails to do this and you return to work on a day that you reasonably thought to be the day after the last day of your maternity leave, your employer cannot turn you away or refuse to pay you for any work that you do.

You are protected under the law if:

• Your employer fails to give you notice of your return date and then attempts to dismiss or discipline you when you fail to return on that date
• Your employer gives you less than 56 days’ notice of the date that your maternity leave period would end, and it was not reasonably practicable for you to return to work on that date.