Extra work whilst on maternity leave

[Tink1989]

Hiya, I have an interview on wed for bar work in the millennium stadium during matches (so not regular part time work), will this have implications for my maternity pay as I am on maternity leave until February. I am receiving an averaged out wage so there isn't a drop when I am just on smp, this means a lower pay packet for me each month.

[StealthPolarBear]

Would you expect to start before Friday when your mat leave ends? Will you not be going back to your normal job at that point?

[StealthPolarBear]

Sorry I could have sworn that said Friday! ! Ignore me

[Tink1989]

Yeah the work starts in September I return to my normal job in February/March. I will return to my full time job and ideally keep working match days as well. As it's only work whilst matches are on I question whether it is deemed as part time as it won't be regular work. I'm gutted if it has implications to my smp, I will get taxed on it and it's no more than £6 an hour for about 4 hours a week which is well below what the smp rate is

[StealthPolarBear]

Bumping for you. You might get a reply from someone who can read :)

[QforCucumber]

I'm sure your SMP stops if you start earning, unless self employed.
I was looking into taking on part time work when I am on maternity next year and found it on the hmrc website.

Also - if you're over 21 nmw is £6.50/hour.

[greatbigwho]

I think you lose your entitlement - scroll down to 3.12

www.gov.uk/government/publications/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance#statutory-maternity-pay-smp

[Tink1989]

Thanks, it's ridiculous, they have you all ways! Ringing hmrc to speak to an advisor.

[greatbigwho]

It's not really ridiculous - they're paying you to have time off from work with your child, if you're working then the out of work benefit should stop, surely?

[Tink1989]

I'm just looking to get an extra £25 for a few hours a week to put towards anything extra for my son, not as if I'm looking to work for £20 an hour or every night. It's ridiculous as I could sell items on eBay for much more money and not be penalised

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

Basically, you can do 10 days of work whilst on May leave but, anymore than that, will bring your mat leave to an end. That's why annual leave needs to be taken before or after mat leave - you can't stop may leave to take annual leave (or to work more than 10 days) and then restart it

In assuming the bar is a new employer? I would need to check the relevant legislation to see if you can do the 10 days for a new employer. I'm assuming so as those who are self-employed can do 10 days of work and it's not survivors that this must be for existing clients but would need to check

[Tink1989]

Spoke to hmrc and they said don't do it, even if it was only an hour a week at minimum wage I would lose my smp. The 10 work days are for an existing employer who you were employed with on the qualifying weeks of pregnancy.

[waitaminutenow]

You can't be on mat leave and work....that's the whole point of 'mat LEAVE'!!!

[Tink1989]

You can be self employed and earn money through eBay though and work 10 days for your current employer

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

Yes -just checked the legislation and that is right re: what HMRC told you about existing employer.

Also correct re: Ebay. Although if you are just selling "personal possessions" any profit on these is tax free.

The only thing I would do is check your contract to see if you are allowed to carry out other work. Some employers do not permit that without their permission. Ebay would be fine selling bits and bobs of your own but not setting up an Ebay shop for example

[Spindelina]

The other way in which it would be OK is if you had been doing both jobs before going on maternity leave. In that case, you can go back to one and keep getting SMP from the other.