Can I work another job whilst on mat leave?

[RainMinusBow]

So I'm due my third baby end of May. I'm an experienced qualified teacher currently working ft as a 1:1 SEN TA.

Money is going to be very tight and I was wondering if I am "allowed" to do some private tuition in the evenings while I'm off work on mat leave and receiving SMP?

[williams345]

No I don't think so

[RainMinusBow]

Someone I know said something about yes but only if you're self-employed? Not sure if that's correct or not?

[HeddaGarbled]

You need to read your contract: there’s usually something in there about needing to get your employer’s permission if you want to do a second job.

[RainMinusBow]

Thanks, I'll take a look 😊

[Lulualla]

Its nothing to do with her contract. SMP is paid by the government and it's the government policies which control it. Your employer cannot add their own terms for SMP

You can do self employed work during your maternity pay period; it wont affect your SMP. If you get another job, then your SMP ends, but if you're self employed then you're fine.

If you have an enhanced maternity package then you may need to check the policy for the enhanced pay.

This is from the government website

YourSMPwill stop if after the baby is born, but before the end of the Maternity Pay Period, you work for an employer who did not employ you in the qualifying week. It is your responsibility to tell the employer paying youSMPabout your new job. You must do this as soon as possible, and make sure you return anySMPpayment you get that covers the week you started work and any part of the period after you resumed work.

If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during yourMPP, then such work will not affect yourSMP.

[dementedpixie]

Will you be declaring the money on a self employed basis? If so, then yes you can do it.

[RainMinusBow]

@dementedpixie Yes I would be. If successful I could always keep doing it some evenings when I return to work (prob pt) as around £30 ph is slightly better than the £9.50 ph I earn as a HLTA