Maternity leave - self employed

[kj1]

Does anyone know what the normal/average length of maternity leave is? What would you say is 'ideal' and at what point did you feel ready to go back to work?

I'm self employed so trying to work out how long I should realistically give myself without putting too big of a strain on the business.

 

[GBLiz]

if you're self employed you get maternity allowance for 39 weeks and if you do any work before that they stop your payments, so if you want to benefit from that and your business can cope that long i guess 39 weeks would be a good time?

 

[SF2018]

I think you can take up to a full year off, however, I opted personally just to take 9 months as financially, I couldn't afford to take another 3 months off without maternity pay (maternity pay only covers 9 months)

This time around I will be doing the same!

In regards to being self-employed, if you have staff, I am pretty sure they can continue running the business for you and you take the full maternity leave? Otherwise, as mentioned above, you cannot earn a single penny through self-employment if you are being paid maternity allowance.

 

[kj1]

Thanks guys. I am able to get someone in to cover me whilst I am away no problem but my main concern is my business partner who isn't too happy with the situation. She wants me to take 3-4 months(!!!) which is absolutely not happening.

I was thinking of taking the full 39 weeks maternity allowance. Ideally, I would like to take as long as I can - between 9-12 months - but wanted to know what was realistic as to the earliest you felt ready to go back to work? Is 6 months even long enough?

Does anyone know how MA works when self employed? I know you are not allowed to work/take a salary, but what about taking dividends/bonus payments at the end of the trading year? Sorry for all the questions but I just want to weigh up my options and make the best decision for myself and baby AND the business.

 

[El1en]

I don't know the official rules on taking payments but my friend worked it so in the couple of months she was earning she earned way more then she usually would just to try and make things a bit easier tax wise. My friend took the full 39 weeks

 

[GBLiz]

Thanks guys. I am able to get someone in to cover me whilst I am away no problem but my main concern is my business partner who isn't too happy with the situation. She wants me to take 3-4 months(!!!) which is absolutely not happening.

I was thinking of taking the full 39 weeks maternity allowance. Ideally, I would like to take as long as I can - between 9-12 months - but wanted to know what was realistic as to the earliest you felt ready to go back to work? Is 6 months even long enough?

Does anyone know how MA works when self employed? I know you are not allowed to work/take a salary, but what about taking dividends/bonus payments at the end of the trading year? Sorry for all the questions but I just want to weigh up my options and make the best decision for myself and baby AND the business.

i would imagine you could still take dividends . ... maybe not bonus payments though. but best to check with the MA people.....

 

[UpseyDaisy]

Question is whether you are self employed or run a limited company. Profit share from a partnership is OK. Would be less as needing to pay for cover. Dividends are for limited company's so not applicable for self employed. I'm an accountant if that helps.

With my first I was ready to go back after 7 months.

 

[GBLiz]

oh yeah i was getting mixed up as i have been both self employed and ran a limited company...

 

[UpseyDaisy]

oh yeah i was getting mixed up as i have been both self employed and ran a limited company...

If I can help you clarify anything please get in touch. X

 

[GBLiz]

thanks, no everything is simple now as i am only self employed but i have previously run a business so that is where i was thinking about the dividends question from- pregnancy brain! I actually got the letter about paying NICs today from HMRC and sorted that out so my MA is completely sorted now

 

[kj1]

Thanks UpseyDaisy. I've spoken to my accountant but he doesn't seem to know much about maternity allowance...I run a limited company as a 50% shareholder and am technically employed by the company as a Director so not sure I am officially self employed or...? Any advise would really be appreciated! x

 

[UpseyDaisy]

Thanks UpseyDaisy. I've spoken to my accountant but he doesn't seem to know much about maternity allowance...I run a limited company as a 50% shareholder and am technically employed by the company as a Director so not sure I am officially self employed or...? Any advise would really be appreciated! x

You are classified as employed. I'm at swimming lessons right now after bedtime tonight ill sit down n send u a pm with more details.

 

[kj1]

Thank you soooo much!

 

[GBLiz]

i got my letter confirming my MA amount but it says i need to fill in when i have stopped work and want to start the MA , and return in the envelope provided (which wasnt provided lol)...I did put the date i wanted it to start in my original claim (although i cant remember exactly what date i put ) do i need to fill in this form with the date again for them?

 

[PurdieCat]

Thanks UpseyDaisy. I've spoken to my accountant but he doesn't seem to know much about maternity allowance...I run a limited company as a 50% shareholder and am technically employed by the company as a Director so not sure I am officially self employed or...? Any advise would really be appreciated! x

You are classified as employed. I'm at swimming lessons right now after bedtime tonight ill sit down n send u a pm with more details.

I hope you don't mind me jumping on board @upseydaisy! But can I ask you a question?

I am currently self employed and worried about going on maternity and my small buisness going down the tubes. Would it be worth while me making the buisness a ltd company and employing a contract worker to come in 1-2 days a week to send out orders etc? I wouldn't need someone often, I just want it to tick over while I am off.

Also, I think i read somewhere that you can work 10 days over the 39 weeks to 'keep in touch' - do you know how that works?

Any advice would be great and Thanks in advance!