Consequences of resigning whilst on Maternity Leave?

[Miss Nosey]

Several women in my office have resigned while on their maternity leave, even though it says in the Contract that maternity leave period cannot be used to offset the normal notice period if one were to resign ordinarily.

I think they still got paid their full pay though for the full Maternity leave period.  Is that normal?  Or do companies in Singapore have normally refuse to pay women in such circumstances?

[doneit]

It's probably a case by case basis. I resigned on maternity leave and they still paid me up until the end of it. I even got my end of year bonus! I had a nice HR Director though.

To be honest, I think some companies heave a sigh of relief as unfortunately many think that now we have kids we will be always off and with our minds elsewhere. Which is not the case of course

[Galaxy]

In my previous company the mums on maternity leave who resigned still had to come back to serve one month before they were to be release. That would be, not allowed to resign during mat. Leave. I agree that it's up to your HR department if they want to stick to the law.

[NMS1]

The official line is that you can resign but you still have to serve out your notice period after you finish your maternity leave. And remember, if you or the child are not Singapore citizens you are only legally entitled to paid maternity leave for 8 weeks (as opposed to 16 for locals) although many companies will cover the difference for expats but may be unwilling if you have already resigned.

[thinking about it]

I'm on maternity leave now and I'm thinking about returning to the UK to be closer to my sisters and their kids.  Do any expats have experience resigning while on mat. leave? I want to know if I would get away with the 4 month payment or have to pay some back.