Working while on maternity leave

[MumofIsaac]

Is this allowed? I'm considering getting a weekend job while I'm on maternity leave but how will this affect my benefits? Does anyone know?

I don't think it is as you are still technically "employed" whilst on mat leave. Have you tried ACAS? They are very good on such matters: 08457 47 47 47.

I'm on maternity leave and I have two jobs (actually three because I do some freelance work).

In terms of my jobs, I can do ten "Keeping in Touch" days and be paid for them without losing benefits.

However, I can go back to the job I had first and work there and still receive maternity pay from my second job. The crucial point seems to be that I was in that job first.

I can also do freelance on a self employed basis.

As far as I can see, if you only have one job, you cannot take on a second job without losing benefits. You would have needed to have been in that job first.

If you are receiving SMP from your first job, you can't start a new job and still receive it, no.

If you return to work for either your current employer or a new employer, your SMP stops.

Also bear in mind that, depending on your line of work, your employment contract may state that you are not allowed outside interests - i.e. other jobs. In some jobs it would be a sackable offence to take on other employment without advance permission.