Opening up online shop and maternity leave

lili89

Hi. I’m on maternity leave at the moment and was thinking of opening up an online shop. Would I lose my maternity pay if I did this? I’m going to go back to my job at the start of next year, but only part time so an online shop is the ideal job that I can work from home the rest of the time and earn a bit more cash every month. Is it better to wait until my maternity pay runs out to start my new venture? Thanks!

chrisbur

Are you receiving SMP or Maternity allowance?
Does your contract restrict you working elsewhere?

lili89

I’m getting SMP. My contract doesn’t restrict me working elsewhere.

chrisbur

No problems then you can do self employed work.
See section 3.12 third para here....
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance
"If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP."

jennifermerkle

You can always call HMRC and double check.