Registering a new company while on maternity leave

[dogrilla]

hello

am three months into maternity leave and have no intention of going back to my much-loathed job if at all possible. have had an idea for a business and want to get cracking on setting it up now and getting it ready while I have some time.

what are the rules about this? can my employer penalise me for registering a company and setting up a website etc even if I'm not actually trading?

thanks x

Your employer will probably have rules about this type of thing, working outside your employment, so you will need to look at your handbook or other policy.

In terms of your SMP, you can work on a self-employed basis and receive SMP at the same time, but you can't work for another employer, so if you are employed by your own company that's something to watch out for.