During the ordinary period of maternity leave all of your employment rights remain in force – in fact you should be treated as if you were actually still at work. Your contract of employment continues and is not suspended. The only exception to this is pay – as Statutory Maternity Pay will replace your normal pay. You should continue to accumulate holiday pay, retain a company car and other normal company benefits for this first 26 weeks.( If you are not receiving these benefits, raise this with your employer or call our Advice Line for help.)
You have the right to return to your old job, unless this has gone due to redundancy.