Maternity/paternity leave when I am self employed

[Bubbiesx]

Hi!

I have tried to search for any previous threads on this but can't seem to find anything that fits our situation.

I was just hoping someone could clarify the situation with shared parental leave?

I went self employed in Feb 2020 working from home in a creative style job. I set my own hours and work when I want. If we were to have another baby, it is something that I can definitely continue to do around the baby and our toddler (we also have a 2yo).

My husband is a full time employee in the civil service.

If I didn't want to take my mat leave and therefore relinquish the maternity allowance, could my husband take it instead?

His employer offers the first 6 months with full pay for mat leave etc so our plan was for him to take it and stay at home while I go straight back to work.

However, I just want to double check whether we are able to do that with me being self employed?

If so, does anyone know whether you can start it as soon as the baby is born like you do with the usual paternity leave? Or would he have to wait to start it?

I've read so much into it I'm confusing myself now 🙈

Thanks so much x

As I understand it you wouldn't be eligible for shared pay/leave but your dh could be - (you would be able to claim maternity allowance). In order for him to get the leave you need to give notice for your leave and maternity allowance to end in order for him to take the leave from his employer.

It sounds complex tbh

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/shared-parental-leave-and-pay/

He would be eligible for shared parental leave but the pay depends on if his employer offers enhanced shared parental leave pay or just statutory. It’s not automatically the same as enhanced mat leave pay.

Maternity leave/pay can differ from shared leave/pay so you need to find what his employer offers first as it could be vastly different.