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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Working during maternity leave

17 replies

BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 18:46

Aibu for traffic
Anyone have experience of self employed work whilst on maternity leave from a regular employed job?
I'm nearly 6 months into my maternity leave. Occupational maternity pay is due to finish and I'll be moving onto SMP. I have been offered an amazing job working part time from home with flexible hours. Would be a fixed term contract (self employed).
I'm aware it's allowed legally as I checked on gov.uk.
Anyone had experience of doing this? Any pitfalls I should know about?
Really excited about this position as hoping it opens more doors. However a bit nervous about working with a baby esp given no childcare help due to lockdown.
Thank in advance

OP posts:
Original poster
BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 18:47

PS my main employer are happy for me to take on this additional role. It was a job I didn't actually apply for so I was "headhunted" so to speak

OP posts:
MaryShelley1818 · 22/11/2020 18:50

As far as I know you can't receive SMP and pay at the same time. So you will need to notify them and it will be deducted from what you're paid. Which obviously makes sense. That with extra tax for a second job may or may not make it worth it.

Ohalrightthen · 22/11/2020 18:51

Who will be looking after your baby?

Ohalrightthen · 22/11/2020 18:53

Sorry, just seen that you're planning on working and looking after the baby. That's unlikely to work tbh, how many hours will you be doing a week? You'll have to work evenings/nights while your baby is asleep and you'll be absolutely freaking knackered.

Original poster
BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 19:06

@MaryShelley1818
Thanks for Ur reply. Are u sure as this is what the gov website states:
"If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP."

OP posts:
Original poster
BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 19:07

@Ohalrightthen
It's a very flexible role. 8 hours a week but no fixed times. It involves organising things and meetings etc which I hope I'll be able to juggle around baby. Hoping lockdown is lifted properly soon so can get more help :)

OP posts:
Original poster
BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 19:11

Would never have thought I'd be in this position but an opportunity like this is rare! I think I can (hopefully) manage around baby as he's quite low maintenance atm and hubby wfh most days

OP posts:
40weekswithno2 · 22/11/2020 19:16

Can I do self-employed work while on maternity/adoption/shared parental leave without it affecting my SMP/SAP/ShPP?
Yes – you can work on a self-employed basis without it affecting your SMP/SAP/ShPP (though it would be very risky for you to work for your usual employer on a self-employed basis as it would probably not look like genuine self-employment; this is particularly so if the work you would be doing is just the same as the work you did as an employee).
However, this doesn’t apply to those on MA (see below). You should always check your employment contract to see if it allows you to work elsewhere.

40weekswithno2 · 22/11/2020 19:16

^ I'm surprised it's allowed but it seems it is

BendingSpoons · 22/11/2020 19:35

I assume you know you can form a childcare support bubble if you need to for work? I appreciate this might not work for you.

Original poster
BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 19:42

@40weekswithno2I was surprised to learn this too
@BendingSpoons Is that allowed even if u work from home?

OP posts:
anxiouswaiting · 22/11/2020 19:51

I did it.
I was self employed prior to maternity leave, very low earnings, less than £1,000 a year. And also full time employed.

Went on maternity leave and got SMP/occupational maternity pay and carried on with my self employment while on leave, gradually increased it so I still had an income when my SMP stopped.

Then when I returned to work I went back part time and made up my shortfall with self employed as that work was flexible and I could do it around my baby.

I now work about 50/50 between employment and self employed. All worked out well for me.

What are your concerns/questions?

BendingSpoons · 22/11/2020 20:05

My understanding is the guidance states informal childcare is allowed as long as the parent isn't present too. I don't think it specifically states if you can be elsewhere in the house. I feel if you are genuinely working, and your workplace is your home, it is reasonable to use childcare. But I guess up to you if you feel you can manage with nap times etc. Good luck, it sounds like a great opportunity.

Original poster
BigMomma164 · 22/11/2020 22:27

Thanks @BendingSpoons. Been working towards this for over a year and was anxious that mat leave would set me back so to be offered this position was a dream come true.
@anxiouswaiting I s'pose I just wanted to see if any MNers had bad experiences in similar situation. I think I'm generally anxious. I'm concerned about being self employed. If you don't mine me asking do u have an accountant or do Ur own taxes? Charges are extortionate from what I've seen

OP posts:
Ceejay14 · 23/11/2020 00:35

I know your question wasn’t around childcare, but as it was mentioned earlier in the thread... it’s difficult working with a baby at home, not impossible but difficult and tiring. I do around 15 hours a week (self employed) mostly while my 10 month old naps (usually on me, so I work on my phone) and things that need the laptop are done after she’s gone to bed. It’s not ideal, but it’s what this year has thrown at us, and I am proud that I’m able to make it work while we need it to.
Good luck, sounds like a great opportunity!

BendingSpoons · 23/11/2020 07:29

I do a tax return for other income (rental) snd have an account father to ask questions. You can do it yourself, especially if your pay is quite straight forward. Are you being paid by a company rather than invoicing clients yourself? However the advantage of an accountant is they will understand the terminology and know what are tax deductibles etc e.g. you can claim something towards bills for wfh. I think it comes down to whether you have the time and energy to work this out yourself.

It does sound like a pretty great set-up, as you have your other job too, so aren't completely relying financially on building this up. If you can be flexible and have a supportive partner (or other family members), it should be ok to fit it in, as it's only 8 hours. When I was on maternity I would have quite enjoyed having a 'project' towork on.

anxiouswaiting · 23/11/2020 15:35

@BigMomma164

Thanks *@BendingSpoons*. Been working towards this for over a year and was anxious that mat leave would set me back so to be offered this position was a dream come true. *@anxiouswaiting* I s'pose I just wanted to see if any MNers had bad experiences in similar situation. I think I'm generally anxious. I'm concerned about being self employed. If you don't mine me asking do u have an accountant or do Ur own taxes? Charges are extortionate from what I've seen
No I don't have an accountant, I do it all myself. I guess whether you need one depends on what kind of work you are doing and the expenses involved.

I mainly provide remote services which don't have much outlay. You have a £1,000 tax free allowance or you can use your actual expenses when you submit a tax return. My actual expenses don't exceed £1,000 so my tax return is super simple, literally the income I make minus £1,000 is my figure.

If you had lots of expenses that exceed the £1,000 it might be worth having an accountant, but for me it would be wasted I think.

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