Can I Work While On Unpaid Maternity Leave

Maternity leave now often called parental or family leave is the time a mother or father takes off from work for the birth or adoption of a child.

Can i work while on unpaid maternity leave. Employees who are taking parental leave to care for an adopted child are also entitled to 2 days unpaid pre adoption leave to attend relevant interviews or examinations. For more detailed information do check our frequently asked questions on this issue. The first period of plp is available for up to 12 continuous weeks within 12 months of the birth or adoption of a child.

Its against discrimination law for your employer to make you redundant just because youre pregnant or on maternity leave. If you work more than 10 kit days your maternity leave and pay automatically end by law. You can take this time off work from full time casual or part time employment no matter how long you have been working for your employer.

Download our guide to redundancy rights when pregnant or on maternity leave pdf 299kb 13 pages. Actual paid maternity leave while the norm in almost all countries is unusual in the united states although some enlightened companies do offer new parents paid time off up to six weeks in some cases. From 1 july 2020 eligible employees can split their parental leave pay plp so they take it over 2 periods within 2 years.

While some will cut their unpaid leave short and others albeit fewer may work overtime for extra income pat katepoo a flex work adviser and negotiation coach who authored the book max your. You can work a keeping in touch day from six weeks after the birth or adoption of your child. If you become pregnant while you are in employment you have the right to take 26 weeks maternity leave.

Use the maternity planner to work out the earliest date your maternity leave can start. If youre on unpaid maternity leave you can also have up to 10 keeping in touch days each year of your unpaid maternity leave. Employees are able to claim plp for 1 set period and 1 flexible period.

You are still bound by your contract while on maternityadoptionshared parental leave so you need to check if it allows you to do employed or self employed work. Change your date for returning to work you must give your employer at least 8 weeks notice if you want to.