We have an employee who is due to take maternity leave in August. Another employee will be seconded to cover this maternity leave (12 months).

The seconded employee currently is on a lower salary than the employee going on maternity leave, but has a company car (as she travels the country in her current role). The Manager of the department wishes to give the seconded employee the option of either an increase in salary to the level of the role and give up the car, or, stay on the same salary and keep the car.

My concern is that if the increase in salary is chosen, what happens after the maternity leave has been taken and the employee returns to work.

Are we able to reduce the salary back to the current level?

Any advice on the whole situation/process will be gratefully received.
Emma Paish