Make informal enquiries about whether or not an employee intends to return to work after maternity leave
Key points
An employer has no statutory right to request formal confirmation that an employee will be returning to work at the end of their maternity leave.
However, there is statutory provision for employers to make "reasonable contact" with employees on maternity leave, for example to discuss their return to work.
If the employer makes informal enquires, the employee is under no legal obligation to reply. If they intend to return to work after their maternity leave, they can simply report for work on the day after their maternity leave has ended.
