How Can I Work Part-Time During Maternity Leave?

Whether you’re an expectant parent eagerly awaiting the arrival of your child or someone adjusting to the joys and demands of parenting, you’ve probably at some point wondered ‘can you work while on maternity leave?’. It’s perfectly normal to have worries about finances, maintaining your sense of purpose and generally keeping up with the professional world at a time when so much is changing.

Below we’ve outlined a few of the UK laws and regulations for working on maternity leave, as well as exploring the opportunities available.

Can You Work While On Maternity Leave?

Before we look at what’s possible when it comes to working on maternity leave, it’s important to understand your rights during maternity leave when you live in the UK.

Maternity Leave in the UK

If you’re employed and pregnant in the UK, you are entitled to 52 weeks (1 year) of maternity leave. This consists of 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave. During this period, you have several rights, including the option to request flexible work arrangements when returning to work. Your employment terms, such as pension contributions, are also protected during Statutory Maternity Leave.

However, despite being entitled to 52 weeks off, you’ll get paid for just 39 of them if you’re eligible.

Can I Work On Maternity Leave?

The simple answer is yes, you can work during maternity leave, but with some caveats. Let’s explore different scenarios:

• Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days: You can work up to 10 days during your leave without losing any Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). These are known as ‘Keeping in Touch‘ days, and they can be useful for staying connected with your workplace, attending training or easing back into work. However, KIT days are optional and both you and your company must agree to them.
• Working Part-Time with Your Employer: If you wish to work beyond the 10 KIT days or take on part-time work during maternity leave, you’ll need to negotiate this with your employer. Any such arrangements will affect your Statutory Maternity Pay or other benefits, so it’s essential to consult with your HR department or another relevant person and understand your company’s specific policies.
• Working with Another Employer or Self-Employment: If you want to work part-time with another employer or become self-employed during maternity leave, this is also possible, but there may be restrictions in your employment contract. Understanding the laws specific to your situation are key.

Remember working on maternity leave is possible under certain circumstances, every situation is unique. You can speak to the HR department, Citizens Advice, or seek legal advice to ensure you understand how working during maternity leave applies to your specific situation.

The goal is to find the right balance that honours your professional commitments, personal needs and legal entitlements. With careful planning and open communication, exciting opportunities await!

How Can I Work During Maternity Leave?

Embracing maternity leave doesn’t necessarily mean a full break from your professional life. For those considering working while on maternity leave, here’s how you can stay engaged with the workplace, whether it’s with your current employer or by venturing into the world of freelancing.

With Your Current Employer

1. KIT (Keeping in Touch) Days

As mentioned earlier, KIT days allow you to maintain a professional connection by working up to 10 days during maternity leave without impacting your SMP. They can be used for things like attending training, workshops and meetings, ensuring a smoother transition back into full-time work when you’re ready.

2. Negotiating flexible work arrangements

If you want to continue working, consider discussing part-time or flexible work arrangements with your employer. Many companies are increasingly open to flexibility, recognising the value of supporting employees during significant life changes.

• Part-Time Work: This could be a reduction in daily hours or working only on specific days.
• Remote Work: Working from home might provide the balance you need, giving you the flexibility to juggle parental and professional responsibilities.
• Job Sharing: Teaming up with a colleague to share job responsibilities can be an excellent way to keep engaged with your career without the full-time commitment.
  Remember, every organisation is different, so an honest discussion with your HR department is crucial to create a plan that suits both parties.

Exploring Freelance Opportunities

If your contract allows you to work part-time during maternity leave, or if you’ve left your old workplace and are looking for a new source of income, freelancing can open doors to exciting opportunities tailored to your skills and interests, while maintaining a flexible schedule. Here are a few ideas:

1. Market Research: If you’re analytical and enjoy working with data, you could get paid to conduct surveys or analyse market trends from home, helping companies understand their audience. This role allows you to use your analytical skills in a way that suits your family life.

2. Design Work: If you’re creative or already work in graphic design, you can pick up freelance work designing logos, websites or social media graphics during your mat leave. You’ll get a chance to be creative and earn extra income at the same time.

3. Voice-Over Artistry: If you can confidently convey emotion through speech, you could record audiobooks, podcasts or commercials at home. A good quality microphone and soundproofing are all you need to showcase your vocal talents.

4. Affiliate Marketing: If you already have a strong online presence like a popular blog or lots of Instagram followers, affiliate marketing can be a profitable way to maintain an income during maternity leave. By promoting products or services for partnered companies, you can earn commission for every sale through your unique affiliate link.

5. Freelance Writing: Copywriting or blog writing for clients can be good options for working on maternity leave, as you may be able to fit in a few paragraphs here and there around other responsibilities.

6. Mentoring: If you can spare an hour a week to chat to someone online, you might like to consider becoming a mentor for someone who’s in a similar position to you (this is known as peer mentoring) or for a mentee who wants to have your job title one day.

Working on Maternity Leave as a Mentor

Mentoring is a great career opportunity for working during maternity leave part-time, which can help you stay social and connected to your profession.

Mentoring keeps you in touch with the industry and after years in your field, it gives you a new sense of purpose. It’s a great way to use your knowledge, make new connections and feel productive, while enjoying your newfound parenthood. Read more about the benefits of mentoring.

How to Navigate Working Part-Time During Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is a transformative time, when personal aspirations intertwine with newfound responsibilities. It’s one of the most important times in the lives of a parent. Balancing your career with your health, involving your co-parent and getting some downtime are all important. Here are some actionable tips to help you navigate working on maternity leave:

• Family First: To ensure mutual understanding, maintain open lines of communication with your family. Be proactive in your planning, weighing the workload you’re prepared to shoulder and map out a feasible schedule.
• Open Dialogue with Employers: Balancing work and childcare starts with transparency. Initiate open discussions with your employer about your maternity leave plans, cultivating clarity and mutual understanding.
• Setting Work-Life Boundaries: Carve out distinct work hours, safeguarding precious moments with your family from professional intrusions.
• Focus on your Health: Your wellbeing is paramount during this transition. Listen to your body and prioritise self-care.
• The Importance of Support: Whether it’s family, friends or professional aides, lean on your support network during this period.

Become a Mentor with Career Navig8r

Explore mentoring with Career Navig8r, a platform that connects professionals like you with mentees who are eager to learn. By sharing insights from your unique professional journey, you can guide and support others, giving back to your industry while topping up your income.

The platform’s flexibility allows you to set your own schedule, making it easy to balance both family responsibilities and your mentoring role. Make a difference while boosting your earnings.

Getting Started is Easy

Joining the Career Navig8r community is as easy as:

• Create Your Free Mentor Profile: Share your experience, skills and areas of expertise.
• Set Your Hourly Rate: Decide what your time and knowledge are worth.
• Become a Mentor: Start engaging with mentees, all on your terms and schedule.

Your experience and knowledge can make a real difference in someone’s life. Don’t miss out on this rewarding opportunity to contribute, grow and maintain a fulfilling professional connection by working during maternity leave. Sign up as a mentor with Career Navig8r today!

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a legal professional for specific guidance.