Returning To Work

Returning to Work

If you intend to return to work at any time before the expiry of your full maternity leave entitlement (26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave plus 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave), you are asked to give HR at least 8 weeks notice in writing of your intended return date.

You may wish to discuss the terms of your return informally with your manager before this. You must ensure that you receive the compulsory two-week leave period after the birth of your child.

If you wish to change the date of your return to work, you should give 28 days notice, or less if agreed with your direct line manager.

If you do not plan to return earlier than the end of the 52 weeks maternity leave period (26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave plus 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave), you do not need to take any further action.

Any return to work prior to the 52 weeks of Mat Leave will require you to ask your line manager to email the HR Maternity Team at: HR.MaternityLeave&Secondment@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk to confirm your return from maternity leave date so that you go back onto normal pay. This information must then be uploaded on to a change form, which must be completed to ensure you are then correctly paid in a timely fashion.

It is ALWAYS worth chasing payroll a month in advance to check that all the correct paperwork is in place prior to your first month's pay. The HR & Secondments team can quickly fix problems that are identified in advance, but if you miss the "pay run" for that month (often around the 16th day of the month) your pay may be delayed until the following month.

Deciding not to Return to Work

If you decide not to return to work after your maternity leave, you must give your Manager at least the amount of notice that you are required to give under your contract of employment.

Your Manager should email the HR Maternity Team at to confirm your return from maternity leave date so that you go back onto normal pay, they should also terminate your employment via eESS self service transaction.

Please note that if you have accrued annual leave then this will be paid before you are terminated from NHS Lothian’s payroll system and so could extend your leaving date. However, if you have not completed the required 13 week return period or are not moving to another NHS post then you will be required to repay your Occupational Maternity Pay to NHS Lothian and as such any annual leave/public holidays you have accrued during your maternity leave period will be offset against this overpayment.