BUSINESS: Maternity Leave and Creative Small Businesses

Today, Zoe Grant of Zoe & Drew talks us through how to approach the question of Maternity Leave as a self-employed creative small business owner.

Preparing for the imminent arrival of your new little one can be a truly chaotic time, with many decisions to be made regarding preparing a space for your new arrival as well as a myriad of choices about which baby equipment (cot, pram, pushchair etc) is the best for you. But, as the owner of a creative small business, there is an additional issue to consider, that of maternity leave which throws up a number of questions:

• Should you take maternity leave and if so how much?
• What are you entitled to if you do take maternity leave?

Should you take maternity leave and if so how much?

Mushroom Baby Set by funkshapes

Statutory maternity leave is currently 52 weeks but for the average creative small business owner, taking a whole year off may not be an option. Ultimately, only you can decide how long is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Many factors will come into play, but it is important to consider whether this is your first, second or fifth child because, as a first time parent, you will probably need longer to adjust to the demands of a new baby and how to adapt to working around your new family.

Here are some tips on how to work around your new family:

• Plan ahead by building up stock levels for your on-line shop or website if your work is not custom made to order.
• Continue to stay in touch with your customers via Twitter or Facebook or by continuing to write your blog. By staying in touch through social media your customers will know that you are still there and you will feel less pressurised to stick to a set working pattern as you can dip in and out of social media when it suits you.
  

What are you entitled to if you do take maternity leave?

Coming Up Roses Snuggle Blankie by Giggleicious

Being self employed means statutory rights relating to maternity leave become more complicated. Unlike people who are employed e.g. employees, self employed people are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

However, if you are registered as self employed, have been paying Class 2 (self-employed) National Insurance contributions or hold a Small Earnings Exception certificate you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance (MA). MA pays a standard weekly rate of £124.88 or 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings (before tax), whichever is less and it is paid for a maximum period of 39 weeks. You can choose to receive MA payments every 2 or every 4 weeks paid directly into your bank account.

It's a good idea to register your claim for MA as soon as you have been pregnant for 26 weeks, otherwise you could miss out on payments. To get a claim form (Form MA1) you can call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday) or download one here.

It's a girl mini print by Askey

Use this tool to produce a personalised statement of the maternity leave and pay that you may qualify for, along with an interactive calendar to help you plan your leave. Also, ensure that you claim Child Benefit; you may also be entitled to Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. As a new parent there is help available to help ease the financial burden, whether you are employed or self employed.

Things to consider once you've decided to take maternity leave

Maternity illustration by Siobhian Carroll

Becoming a new parent can also be a time for reflection, with many mothers choosing not to return to a 9-5 job or demanding career but instead choosing to create a new business that fits around their new family.

As the owner of a creative small business you may decide to use the break to plan for your business and even consider a new direction with your work. Whilst you contemplate your next steps with your business you can enjoy those precious moments in your baby’s life.