Maternity Leave Query

[Moondial]

I don't know what the law is, but I've worked for this company for 6 1/2 years and about to go on Maternity leave, I've been considering that it would be beneficial for me & baby for me to work from home, but how does that affect my SMP (Statutory Maternity Pay) as & when & if I make this decision (or indeed a decision to work somewhere else). I assume I'd have to give notice. Would I need to give back any SMP?
Help!
Thanks in advance

[Moondial]

Sorry forgot to mention I'm questioning UK Law

[mccfluff]

when you say work from home do you mean for yourself?

[redcrx]

you would need to give same notice as if you returning to work.
if you leave then any money paid by your employer, over and above smp, would be repayable.

good luck with your venture. i have worked from home for 5 years since my son was 2 weeks old, its not easy

[bednobs]

what do you do red, i thought you were a mum :)

[redcrx]

i am a mum lol
instead of working in main office or try and take 6 months maternity leave, it was easier for me to get system in at home that means i can still do all my work. So Im still sat at desk from 8.30-5. with up to 2 children playing at my feet (or rather running amok around the house)
I used to travel 60 miles to main office each week just for 2 days whilst my mum babysat (its family firm) but now the eldest is at school i can only do that in holiday times.

[bednobs]

what i really meant was "i thought you were just a stay at home mum" but somehow that didn't sound right or nice!

[redcrx]

lol, i know what you meant :)
nah, im a stay at home and work mum. I have the joys and frustrations of both :(

How are you doing, everything going well i hope x

(sorry Moondial)

[ojread2]

It can and will most likely affect your SMP
http://www.forparents...com/index.html?pn=834

However, if you choose to work AFTER your SMP has ended it won't affect your basic SMP but, as redcrx says, it will most likely affect anything your employer has paid you on top of SMP

[Moondial]

It's likely I won't get more than SMP from my current employer, but thanks all for advice & help.
I did mean possibly working for myself or doing general contracted home-based employment.

[ojread2]

whether you work for yourself at home or not your SMP will be affected if you were during the time you are being paid it, or even if you have received it as a lump sum