Part time work when you are on maternity leave

Nathaniel_Essex

Hi guys. A question from a friend that I could not answer.

She started maternity leave (receiving maternity allowance) in May. Her boss recently gave her a call to catch up and asked if she would like to do some work from home. She responded yes and the boss is now speaking to HR and others to see how that would work. Thing is, she won't take on that work unless she is getting paid something but the second she earns anything from employment, her maternity allowance would be stopped.

If they do get back to her and offer her some work to do, she does not want to be in a position where she discovers she can't meet there expectations whilst caring for her child and won't be able change and lose out of her benefit.

Any advice for what she should do?

rach_k

She could look into Keep in Touch days. I believe you can do 10 days (paid) while on maternity leave without it affecting your maternity pay. I think that applies with maternity allowance too. HR should know anyway.

WickedWitch123

As long as she's aware that the payment for KIT days are not made until after her mat leave.

Anyicaleb

If she researches and learns how to make money online even from the comfort of ones home, i guarantee you she will quit her job.

Savvy_Sue

WickedWitch123 wrote: »

As long as she's aware that the payment for KIT days are not made until after her mat leave.

Really? Our payroll company pay for these on top of maternity pay, when we ask them to do so.

Takeaway_Addict

WickedWitch123 wrote: »

As long as she's aware that the payment for KIT days are not made until after her mat leave.

This is wrong.

chrisbur

WickedWitch123 wrote: »

As long as she's aware that the payment for KIT days are not made until after her mat leave.

Not something I was aware of, can you give a link for this?

One thing that anyone doing this should be aware off is that the employer can use any payment being made as statutory maternity pay as being included in the agreed payment for the work. Check if what they offer for the work is on top of the SMP or is the SMP being topped up to this figure, or even fully covered by the SMP being paid.

https://www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/keeping-in-touch-days/

lisa46_2

WickedWitch123 wrote: »

As long as she's aware that the payment for KIT days are not made until after her mat leave.

This isn't necessarily true - KIT days can be paid at any time. It's up to the employee and employer to agree between them.

The important thing is to be aware of the rules. Basically, the 10 'days' refers to the number of days on which you can do some work -any work. It doesn't matter if you do one hour or 8 hours, it still uses a KIT day.