Not Returning to work and taking materntiy leave question

Just wondering -

What happens if an employee takes maternity leave and then decides to not return to work.

Does she have to pay that money back?
How about if she has been with the company for over 5 years?

Im not in the situation - but i've seen it done before and I was just wondering if there is a policy within company that protects them so that they don't lose out on this money?

Re: Not Returning to work and taking materntiy leave question

I took maternity leave and my payment during leave was covered under short term disability with my old company.

I did not return to that company at the end of my leave and did not have to pay it back.

I would read the policy in her handbook, usually most company's don't have a maternity leave payment, most have it fall under short term disability concurrent with FMLA.

Re: Not Returning to work and taking materntiy leave question

I didn't return after my leave and I didn't have to pay anything back. I worked in a school district so they knew I would be out for the rest of the school year. I originally told them I was coming back in September, but when I received my contract in June for the next year I didn't sign it and gave them my official resignation. As a school employee I didn't receive paid maternity leave or even qualify for state disability, but I did get paid for whatever remaining sick and personal days I had left. I was also covered under my medical benefits for the remainder of the school year and the summer as well.