Как заработать деньги в декрете: 5 вариантов для мам

Не зря слова «декрет» и «интернет» так удачно рифмуются: зачастую это единственная возможность для мам совмещать работу и уход за младенцем.

Если вы хотите заработать, но не знаете, где и как, ознакомьтесь со списком реальных способов построить карьеру в интернете, начиная с наиболее перспективных и доходных, заканчивая тем, что доступно практически каждому. Все они не требуют больших первоначальных вложений.

Чем можно заняться в декрете, чтобы заработать деньги

1. Онлайн-магазин

Кому подходит: руководительницам и тем, кто любит продавать – и умеет это делать.

Самый быстрый и простой способ «показать товар лицом» – это страницы в социальных сетях.

При очевидных плюсах (прежде всего, простота запуска) у этого канала сбыта есть большой недостаток, заключающийся в самой специфике соцсетей – они заточены больше под общение, чем под продажи.

Собственно, говорить об онлайн-магазине как реальном виде бизнеса можно, если у страницы есть отдельный адрес, попадающий в поисковики по запросам пользователей. Вторая важная особенность настоящего магазина – возможность расплачиваться всеми доступными в Сети способами. Третий момент – организация доставки: лучше предлагать на выбор более одного варианта.

Один из наиболее популярных способов запуска онлайн-магазина практически без затрат – это конструирование собственного сайта с помощью бесплатных шаблонов. Подобных сервисов существует великое множество, стоит лишь задать поиск. Как правило, они позволяют создать типовой интернет-шоп с каталогом, описанием товара, полями для обратной связи. Дополнительно придется потрудиться над интеграцией в сайт системы приема платежей.

Другой вариант – размещение своего магазина на готовой площадке. Это как виртуальный торговый центр с хорошей вывеской и рекламой, куда стекается множество посетителей. Вы можете стать одним из арендаторов. Плюсы такого решения: готовый дизайн, простота подключения системы приема платежей, организация доставки.

Важные детали

Чтобы не прогореть, затевая свой маленький бизнес, нужно знать и просчитать заранее все возможные расходы. Например, выбирая агрегатор онлайн-магазинов, обратите внимание на схему оплаты за размещение. Если это фиксированная ежемесячная ставка, то вы рискуете на период раскрутки «уйти в минус».

2. Видеоконсультация

Кому подходит: лингвистам, преподавателям различных наук, программистам и веб-дизайнерам.

Чаще всего посредством удаленных занятий изучают иностранные языки, обучаются программированию и 3D-дизайну, постигают точные науки. Где искать аудиторию: на бесплатных досках объявлений либо на специализированных сайтах – агрегаторах репетиторских услуг, например TutorVista, Tutor.com.

Вам потребуется максимально качественная интернет-связь, и вы должны освоить сервисы для веб-конференций. Среди бесплатных можно привести в пример BigBlueButton, OpenMeetings, Dimdim. Они дают возможность использовать специальную доску для чертежей, графиков, формул и произвольных рисунков (whiteboard), а также совместно просматривать ролики и презентации.

3. Создание текстового контента

Кому подходит: людям с хорошей письменной речью, умением излагать свои мысли, тем, кто много читает.

Если вы хорошо дружите с русским языком, можно попробовать себя в качестве интернет-копирайтера. Ежедневно миллионы сайтов обновляют контент, борясь за то, чтобы он был уникальным и интересным. Тексты, как правило, требуются самые разнообразные: от развернутых обзоров товаров и услуг до коротких отзывов на киносайтах. Заказы можно найти на специальных биржах копирайтинга. Они делятся на открытые, где может зарегистрироваться каждый желающий, профессиональные (рассчитанные на тех, кто уже попробовал себя в качестве копирайтера) и элитарные.

• К первой группе относятся Etxt и Advego – с них можно начать, если совсем нет опыта, к тому же, на этих биржах помимо написания текстов можно получить задания и более простые — отзывы, комментарии, серфинг за деньги и т.д.
• Тем, кто может похвастаться абсолютной грамотностью и хотя бы минимальным количеством статей, подойдут такие площадки, как turbotext, contentmonster.
• Профессиональные копирайтеры и журналисты могут попробовать себя на copylancer и textbroker, где кандидатов отбирают по резюме, портфолио, тестам и собеседованиям.

4. Администрирование групп и пабликов

Кому подходит: секретарям и офис-менеджерам, любителям соцсетей, людям с организаторскими способностями.

Ведение групп в соцсетях, пабликов, форумов – отдельное направление деятельности в интернете. Администратор площадок задает темы, удаляет спам, постит фото, в общем, отвечает за обратную связь. Как правило, от соискателя требуется доскональное знание соцсети и тематики группы, технические навыки (владение графическими пакетами, например Photoshop, умение работать в видеоредакторе, разбираться в шрифтах и шаблонах, пользоваться автопостом).

Прежде чем пробовать себя на роль администратора, нужно изучить нюансы – загляните на sociate.ru. Самый надежный вариант – перебирать наиболее многочисленные группы и паблики вручную и оставлять сообщения их владельцам.

5. Технический заработок

Кому подходит: абсолютно всем, кто не хочет «забивать голову» и не против механической работы.

Просмотреть видео, прослушать аудио и перевести информацию в текст может каждый, кто умеет печатать на клавиатуре. Написать комментарий, вступить в группу, сделать репост. То же касается ввода капчи (символов и букв, распознавание которых отличает пользователя от робота). Найти работу можно на сайтах фриланса типа VKTarget, rucaptcha.com, ФорумОк.

Плюсы и минусы удаленной работы

В последние годы фриланс активно набирает обороты. Люди отказывают от традиционной офисной жизни, чтобы больше времени посвящать себе и своим близким. Особенно это касается женщин. Однако при очевидных преимуществах у удаленной работы есть свои «подводные камни». В чем они заключаются и как их обойти на практике?

Сложности с личным пространством

С ноутбуком в кафе и чашечкой кофе или дома на диване… Каким же уютным первоначально представляется фриланс по сравнению с офисными буднями! На самом деле – то кафе с грохочущей музыкой, то кухня с доваривающимся супом. Конечно, не у всех есть возможность работать в собственном кабинете. Но дело даже не в жилплощади! Фрилансеры мобильны и пытаются совместить множество дел, редко кто решается «запереть» себя за рабочим столом. А между тем, даже крохотный уголок «опен-спейса» на работе – это личное пространство, которое мы обретаем на восемь часов в день. Если же постоянно перемещаемся и кто-то «висит над душой», приходится расплачиваться повышенной раздражительностью, снижением работоспособности.

Выход: работайте в определенном месте и приучите домашних сохранять дистанцию.

Работа на пределе сил

Обычно начальники, заметив бездействующего сотрудника, тут же спешат нагрузить его работой. Но уж дома-то, казалось бы, вы будете делать столько, сколько сможете. На деле же – никто не пытается вычислить реальный объем работы фрилансера. Кроме шефов, есть еще замы, руководители проектов – и каждый норовит подкинуть работенку. И им вы не скажете: посмотрите, я весь день «пашу». Никто же не видит, работаете ли вы или прохлаждаетесь. Не успеваете? Ваши проблемы. Вдобавок фрилансеры обычно берутся сразу за несколько проектов, сотрудничают с разными заказчиками. И каждый, словно ребенок, требует отдельного внимания.

Выход: изучите свои возможности и контролируйте объем работы еще «на входе» – не беритесь за то, что выше ваших сил.

Отсутствие «волшебных пенделей»

Какое счастье: некому подгонять, напоминать о сроках! Или – какое несчастье? Не все умеют рассчитать свое время. Зато прокрастинация подстерегает многих – в том числе тех, кто не знает этого «заковыристого» слова. Говорите себе: потом-потом, сначала нужно сходить в магазин, сделать уроки со старшим ребенком, убаюкать младшего, выгулять собаку, ответить приятельнице в вайбере. Еще видео интересное в Фейсбуке гляну и почту проверю. Времени нет! А затем обязательно наступает момент, когда понимаете: все, не успеваю. И тогда – бдение по ночам, пар из ушей и многие другие «прелести». Сорванные сроки – утрата репутации, главного «капитала». Работа, сделанная любой ценой, без сна и отдыха, – урон здоровью.

Выход: работу «пропускайте вперед». Лучше сделать все пораньше, чем в последний момент. Соблазны отслеживайте: десятиминутная «отвлекалочка» кажется допустимой, но шесть таких – и часа нет.

Отсутствие «поглаживаний мимоходом»

А ведь начальство в офисе не только распекает, но и частенько дает так называемое позитивное подкрепление: все в порядке, отлично. И если сотруднику напрямую не выражают «респект и уважение», сравнение с чужими успехами и неудачами может повышать самооценку. Да и официальные поощрения – премии, например, – в жизни фрилансера редкость. Как бы хорошо человек ни работал, обычно ему выплачивают заранее оговоренную сумму.

Женщина-фрилансер остается наедине с близкими, которых интересует одно: когда же она сделает работу. А сама она для них – не перспективный сотрудник, а нерадивая жена, которая не приготовила обед.

Выход: уделяйте время корпоративному общению онлайн и посещайте офис. Позволяйте себе ходить на профессиональные тренинги.

Риск депрессии

Нет, дело вовсе не в настрое. Просто большинство фрилансеров забывают о движении. А как доказали ученые, при малоподвижном образе жизни депрессия настигает людей в два раза чаще, чем при активном. Некоторых удручает еще и нехватка живого общения (в офисе ежедневно вы видели бы куда больше людей, чем дома). Еще один неочевидный момент, повышающий тревожность: в жизни фрилансера больше текста, чем разговоров. Отсутствие невербальной коммуникации с руководством – вот как мудрено это называется. Попросту говоря, в каждом вопросе онлайн «Так когда сдашь работу?» можно увидеть «наезд». При живом же общении мимика, жесты, громкость голоса выдают настроение шефа.

Выход: ходите в спортзал, больше общайтесь с друзьями на выходных, а с начальством говорите по скайпу с видеосвязью.

Как видите заработать деньги, сидя дома в декрете с ребенком, без вложений и без отрыва от семьи вполне возможно. При  ответственном отношении к этим способам подработка будет регулярной, а вознаграждение довольно приличным. Удачных заработков, дорогие мамочки!

90000 Maternity and paternity benefits and leave 90001 90002 This page lists the benefits you’re entitled to when you’re pregnant, and has information on maternity, paternity and shared parental leave. 90003 90002 It also lists other benefits you might be able to receive, depending on your circumstances. 90003 90006 Leave and time off 90007 90002 When you’re pregnant, you’re entitled to up to a year of maternity leave. 90003 90010 Statutory Maternity Leave 90011 90002 All employed pregnant women are entitled to 52 weeks (1 year) of maternity leave, no matter how long they’ve worked for their employer.90003 90002 This is made up of 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave. 90003 90002 You have a range of rights during this period and can also request that your employer provides flexible working arrangements if you decide to return to work at the end of your leave. 90003 90002 Find out more about statutory maternity leave. 90003 90002 The GOV.UK website has an online tool that can give you personalised guidance on maternity rights. 90003 90002 Your employment terms (for example, your pension contributions) are protected while you’re on Statutory Maternity Leave.90003 90002 If you’re made redundant while on Statutory Maternity Leave, you also have extra rights. 90003 90010 Working when pregnant 90011 90002 If you’re pregnant, your employer must protect your health and safety, and you may have the right to paid time off for antenatal care. You’re also protected against unfair treatment. 90003 90002 If you enjoy your work and like the people you work with, you may have mixed feelings when you go on maternity leave. 90003 90002 Try to make the most of these few weeks before your baby is born.It’s also a good opportunity to make some new friends. 90003 90002 You may meet other pregnant women you want to keep in touch with at antenatal classes, or you may get to know more people living close by. 90003 90002 Find out about your employee rights when you’re on maternity, adoption or parental leave. 90003 90010 Planning childcare 90011 90002 You may have decided that you’re going to spend some time at home with your baby, or you may be planning to return to work, either full time or part time, fairly soon after the birth.90003 90002 If you plan to go back to work, start thinking in advance about who will look after your baby. 90003 90002 It’s not always easy to find satisfactory childcare arrangements, and it may take you some time. 90003 90002 You may have a relative who’s willing to look after your child. If not, contact the Family Information Service at your local authority for a list of registered childminders and nurseries in your area. 90003 90002 You may also want to think about organising care in your own home, either on your own or sharing with other parents.90003 90002 Care in your own home does not need to be registered, but make sure your carer is experienced and trained to care for babies. 90003 90002 The GOV.UK website has more information on help paying for childcare. 90003 90010 Returning to work after Statutory Maternity Leave 90011 90002 You have employment rights and responsibilities when you go back to work. 90003 90002 Make sure you know what these are and what to do if you have any problems or you’re denied your rights. 90003 90002 Find out more about your right to return to work after Statutory Maternity Leave.90003 90010 Requesting flexible working 90011 90002 Parents of children aged 16 and under, or of disabled children aged 18 and under, are entitled to request a flexible working pattern. 90003 90002 You need to follow a specific procedure when making your request. 90003 90002 Find out more about asking for flexible working. 90003 90010 Paternity Leave 90011 90002 If you’re a father-to-be or a pregnant woman’s partner — including same-sex partner — you could have the right to paternity leave.90003 90002 You may have the right to up to 26 weeks ‘Additional Paternity Leave. 90003 90002 Find out more about paternity leave. 90003 90002 GOV.UK has an online tool that can give you personalised guidance on paternity rights at work. 90003 90010 Shared Parental Leave 90011 90002 You may be eligible to share parental leave and pay with your partner. 90003 90002 Shared parental leave is designed to give parents the flexibility to decide when to return to work and allow families to spend time together in the early stages of a child’s life.90003 90086 90087 Leave and pay can be shared following the first 2 weeks after your baby’s birth. This means up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay can be shared. 90088 90087 You do not have to take all of your shared parental leave at the same time. 90088 90087 You can take shared parental leave in up to 3 blocks (each block must be a minimum of 1 week) and return to work in between. 90088 90087 Shared parental leave can be taken by both parents at the same time so you and your partner can spend time at home together with your baby.90088 90095 90002 Find out more about shared parental leave and check your eligibility. 90003 90006 Benefits for pregnant women 90007 90002 There are benefits and financial help for pregnant women, whether they’re employed or not. 90003 90010 Free prescriptions and dental care 90011 90002 All prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are free while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby’s due date. Children also get free prescriptions until they’re 16.90003 90002 To claim free prescriptions, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 and send it to your health authority. 90003 90002 You’ll be sent a maternity exemption certificate (MATEX) that lasts for 12 months after your due date. You must have a valid exemption certificate to claim free prescriptions and dental care. 90003 90002 Most of the links in this list take you to the GOV.UK website, where you’ll find the most up-to-date information about rights and benefits, including those for pregnant women and parents.90003 90010 Healthy Start 90011 90002 Free milk, infant formula, vitamins, fruit and vegetables for pregnant women receiving certain benefits, and for all pregnant women under 18. 90003 90002 Find out more on the Healthy Start website. 90003 90010 Tax credits 90011 90002 Child Tax Credit gives financial support for children, and Working Tax Credit helps people in lower-paid jobs by topping up their wages. 90003 90002 Find out more about tax credits. 90003 90010 Statutory Maternity Pay 90011 90002 A weekly payment from your employer to help you take time off before and after your baby is born.90003 90002 Find out more about Statutory Maternity Pay, including when you need to tell your employer that you’re pregnant. 90003 90010 Maternity Allowance 90011 90002 If you’re pregnant or have a new baby but do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you might be able to claim Maternity Allowance through Jobcentre Plus. 90003 90002 Find out more about Maternity Allowance, including how to apply. 90003 90010 Statutory Paternity Pay 90011 90002 If your wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or civil partner gives birth or adopts a child, you may be able to claim Statutory Paternity Pay to help you take time off work to support her.90003 90002 Find out more about Statutory Paternity Pay, including when you need to let your employer know that you’re expecting. 90003 90010 Statutory Adoption Pay 90011 90002 A weekly payment from your employer to help you take time off if you adopt a child. 90003 90002 Find out more about Statutory Adoption Pay, including how and when to let your employer know. 90003 90006 Other financial help 90007 90010 Sure Start Maternity Grant 90011 90002 If you’re on a low income and get certain benefits or tax credits, and there are no other children under 16 in your family, you could get this one-off payment.90003 90002 Find out more about the Sure Start Maternity Grant. 90003 90010 Jobseeker’s Allowance 90011 90002 The main benefit for people of working age who are out of work. 90003 90002 Find out more about Jobseeker’s Allowance. 90003 90010 Income Support 90011 90002 If you can not be available for full-time work and have not got enough money to live on, you might qualify for Income Support, depending on your circumstances. 90003 90002 Find out more about Income Support, including how and where to claim.90003 90010 Employment and Support Allowance 90011 90002 This has replaced Income Support for people who can not work because of illness or disability. 90003 90002 Find out more about Employment and Support Allowance. 90003 90010 Housing Benefit 90011 90002 You might be eligible for help with all or part of your rent if you’re on a low income. 90003 90002 Find out more about Housing Benefit. 90003 90010 Support for Mortgage Interest 90011 90002 Help with mortgage interest repayments if you receive certain benefits.90003 90002 Find out more about Support for Mortgage Interest. 90003 90010 Council Tax Reduction 90011 90002 You might be eligible for help with paying your council tax if your income is low. 90003 90002 Find out more about Council Tax Reduction. 90003 90010 Help with transport costs to hospital 90011 90002 You might be able to get help from the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme, depending on your circumstances. 90003 90002 Find out more about help with transport costs to hospital.90003 90006 Where to get help and support 90007 90002 You should get advice on benefits as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Benefits have to be claimed on different forms, from different offices, depending on what you’re claiming. 90003 90002 There are lots of voluntary organisations that are happy to help, so do not hesitate to ask for advice or get an opinion. 90003 90086 90087 Some local authorities have welfare rights officers — phone your social services department and ask.90088 90087 Some voluntary organisations give information and advice on benefits and rights at work — try Gingerbread and Working Families. 90088 90087 For advice on your rights at work, call ACAS on 08457 474747. 90088 90087 If you’re 19 or under, you can get advice on work from the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. 90088 90095 90002 Find your local: 90003 90002 Page last reviewed: 9 April 2018 90217 Next review due: 9 April 2021 90003 .90000 How Long Should You Take For Maternity Leave? 90001 90002 90003 Home 90004 90005 Getting Pregnant 90006 90007 Getting Pregnant 90004 90009 90004 90005 Baby Names 90006 90013 Baby names 90004 90009 90004 90005 Pregnancy 90006 90019 Shopping 90004 90021 Pregnancy 90004 90023 Labour & Birth 90004 90009 90004 90005 Baby & Toddler 90006 90029 More 90004 90031 Baby & Toddler Health Advice 90004 90033 90009 90004 90009.90000 Maternity leave and pay — Money Advice Service 90001 90002 90003 To help you take time off work before and after your baby is born, you’re entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay. 90004 90005 90006 What is Statutory Maternity Leave? 90007 90002 When you’re having a baby, you’re entitled to a year of Statutory Maternity Leave — no matter how long you’ve been in your job. 90005 90002 However, while you’re entitled to 52 weeks off work, you’ll only get maternity pay for 39 of them if you’re eligible.90005 90012 When does it start? 90013 90002 The earliest your paid maternity leave can start is the 11th week before your baby is due. 90005 90002 If your baby is born early, your leave starts the day after the birth. 90005 90002 You do not have to take the 52 weeks you’re entitled to, but you must take at least two weeks off work following the birth of your baby. 90005 90012 Ordinary Maternity Leave, Additional Maternity Leave and Shared Parental Leave 90013 90002 New eligible parents in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can use Shared Parental Leave.90005 90002 Your maternity leave is made up of two different parts: 90005 90026 90027 90003 Ordinary Maternity Leave: 90004 this is the first six months — or 26 weeks. If you return to work during this period, you have the right to return to exactly the same job that you had before you took maternity leave. 90030 90027 90003 Additional Maternity Leave: 90004 this is the second six months and this affects what rights you have when you go back to work. If you take more than six months ‘leave, you have the right to return to the same job unless it is no longer available.In this case you must be given a similar job with the same pay and conditions. 90030 90035 90012 Your rights on maternity leave 90013 90002 While you’re on maternity leave, you’ll still entitled to all the employee rights you normally get from work, such as: 90005 90026 90027 paid holiday 90030 90027 protection from unfair dismissal 90030 90027 pension payments and rights during your period of Statutory Maternity Pay payment 90030 90027 any other employee benefits (e.g.gym membership, medical insurance) for your whole maternity leave period. 90030 90035 90006 What is Statutory Maternity Pay? 90007 90002 Statutory Maternity Pay is the legal minimum your employer normally has to pay you while you’re on maternity leave. 90005 90002 You’ll get Statutory Maternity Pay if you: 90005 90026 90027 earn at least £ 120 a week on average. 90030 90027 have worked for your employer for 26 weeks when you reach the 15th week before your due date. 90030 90035 If you’re self employed, or do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you might be able to get Maternity Allowance.90012 How much Statutory Maternity Pay will you get? 90013 90002 The amount of maternity pay you get changes during your maternity leave. 90005 90002 After 39 weeks, your employer does not have to pay you anything. 90005 90002 This table shows how much you’ll get at each stage of maternity leave in the 2020-21 tax year: 90005 90070 90071 90072 90073 Statutory Maternity Leave 90074 90073 Statutory Maternity Pay 90074 90077 90078 90079 90072 90081 First six weeks 90082 90081 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax 90082 90077 90072 90081 The next 33 weeks 90082 90081 £ 151.20 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) 90082 90077 90072 90081 The next 13 weeks 90082 90081 Unpaid 90082 90077 90098 90099 90002 This is the minimum amount your employer has to pay you. 90005 90002 You might get more, depending on what’s written into your contract. 90005 90002 Some employers offer more generous maternity benefits than Statutory Maternity Pay. 90005 90002 Just be aware, if you decide not to return to work after 52 weeks, you might have to pay back any extra.90005 90002 However, you’ll get to keep the rest. So even if you’re not sure about returning, it’s still worth claiming. 90005 90002 If you want to find out how much maternity leave you’re entitled to, you could take a look at your contract or talk to your boss or human resources department. 90005 90012 Occupational maternity pay 90013 90002 Some employers might offer you occupational maternity pay, sometimes known as contractual maternity pay. This will be more than Statutory Maternity Pay.90005 90002 If you do not return to work after the pregnancy, you might have to repay what you were paid over Statutory Maternity Pay. 90005 90002 To find out what you might be entitled to, you will need to check your employment terms and conditions. 90005 90012 Statutory Maternity Pay if you’re an agency worker 90013 90002 Agency workers can get Statutory Maternity Pay if they meet the qualifying conditions. You must: 90005 90026 90027 Have been employed by the same agency for 26 weeks when you reach the 15th week before your due date 90030 90027 Work for the agency in all or part of your 15 90128 th 90129 week before your due date 90030 90027 Have earned an average of at least £ 120 a week for the previous 2 months.90030 90035 90006 Shared Parental Leave and Pay 90007 90002 New eligible parents can share up to 50 weeks ‘parental leave and 37 weeks’ pay with their partner. 90005 90002 If you’re eligible, you can even take the leave in up to three separate blocks instead of taking it all in one go. 90005 90002 You must give your employer binding notice to end your maternity leave for either you or your partner to be eligible for Shared Parental Leave. 90005 90002 You must also end any maternity pay or Maternity Allowance, even if you do not get maternity leave.90005 90012 Are you eligible for Statutory Shared Parental Leave? 90013 90002 To be eligible for Shared Parental Leave, you must be eligible for one of the following: 90005 90026 90027 maternity pay or leave 90030 90027 adoption pay or leave 90030 90027 maternity Allowance 90030 90035 90002 Either you or your partner must: 90005 90026 90027 have worked for the same employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due 90030 90027 stay with the employer during Shared Parental Leave 90030 90035 90002 During the 66 weeks before the baby is due, the other one of you must: 90005 90026 90027 have worked for 26 weeks (they do not need to be in a row) 90030 90027 have earned at least £ 390 in total over 13 of those weeks (they do not need to be in a row) 90030 90035 90012 Are you eligible for Statutory Shared Parental Pay? 90013 ? 90002 If you’re working and adopt a child you’re usually entitled to paid time off work when they first join your family.Find out more on our Adoption leave and pay page. 90005 90002 You can get Statutory Shared Parental Pay if: 90005 90026 90027 you’re an employee or worker 90030 90027 you’re eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance or Statutory Adoption Pay and your partner is eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay 90030 90035 90006 Maternity leave and pay if you’re self employed 90007 90002 If you’re self employed, you can not get Statutory Maternity Pay. You might be able to claim Maternity Allowance.90005 90006 How to claim maternity leave and pay 90007 90012 Statutory Maternity Leave and Pay 90013 90002 To claim Statutory Maternity Leave and Pay, you must tell your employer you’re going on maternity leave and requesting maternity at least 15 weeks before the baby’s due date. 90005 90002 If you’re adopting, you must tell them: 90005 90026 90027 within seven days of being told by the adoption agency you’ve been matched with a child for maternity leave 90030 90027 28 days before you want your maternity pay to start 90030 90035 90002 You must give your employer proof of your pregnancy to get maternity pay.90005 90002 This can be: 90005 90026 90027 your MATB1 certificate 90030 90027 a letter from your doctor or midwife 90030 90035 90012 Shared Parental Leave and Pay 90013 90002 You must tell your employer if you want to start Shared Parental Leave or Pay. 90005 90002 Your partner must apply to their own employer. 90005 90002 In most cases, you should give your employer at least eight weeks ‘notice. 90005 90002 You can download an application form at GOV.UK. 90005 90006 Returning to work 90007 90002 Before you go on Maternity Leave, you’ll have to tell your employer how long you intend to be off work for and your expected return date.90005 90002 A lot can happen while you’re on maternity leave, and you have the right to change your mind about the end of your maternity leave. 90005 90002 But you must give your employer eight weeks ‘notice if you want to return later or earlier. 90005 90006 If you think your employer is being unfair 90007 90002 If your employer does not think they need to give you maternity pay, or you feel they’re not paying the right amount: 90005 90234 90027 find out if what’s happening is discrimination.90030 90027 talk to your employer. You might be able to resolve it informally. If you’re not sure where to start, Acas can help, or try speaking to your staff rep if you have one. 90030 90027 if you’re unable to resolve the issue, you can make a written complaint. 90030 90241 90002 For further help, contact: 90005 .90000 How does maternity leave work when you’re self-employed 90001 90002 Photo: iStockphoto 90003 90002 By the time I was ready to get serious about having kids, I had not paid into Employment Insurance (EI) for four years. I was a freelance writer and marketing consultant, lamenting the fact that I would not get the same cushy 90005 mat leave that regular employees get 90006. 90003 90002 But after some Googling, I discovered that self-employed workers do indeed have a mat leave option and hardly anyone knows about it.We can opt-in to Service Canada’s special EI benefits for self-employed workers, which allows us to make the same claims for maternity and parental leave in exchange for paying the same EI premiums that regular employees have deducted from their paycheques. 90003 90002 More and more of us are self-employed today than ever before. The number of 90005 self-employed women 90006 increased by 15 percent between 2006 and 2016. (The total of self-employed men increased only 6 percent in the same period.) Yet, not many self-employed women are opting in to the special EI benefits they’ve been entitled to since the program began, back in 2010. Only 755 claims across Canada were processed in 2014 року, for example. Uptake has been slow. Is it because no one knows about it? Or is it because the program is not worth it? 90003 90002 Well, it depends. 90003 90002 90005 Family planning meets financial planning 90018 90006 While I was ready to get the baby show on the road, there was a catch. In order to be eligible for the EI benefits for self-employed workers, you have to have registered 12 months prior to beginning your mat leave.It’s no secret that it takes about nine months to gestate a baby, so you’d have to opt in at least three months before you got pregnant. It could also take many months, or even years, to conceive if you face any 90005 fertility issues 90006, many of which are totally unpredictable. It can feel a bit presumptuous to register for the EI benefits not knowing when, if ever, you’ll get pregnant. 90003 90002 But if you’re eligible and you’ve registered in time, EI benefits for the self-employed work pretty much identically to those for regular employees, with one big catch: You can not claim regular unemployment EI benefits if you lose your job.But you can claim a series of special benefits for all the other reasons you might need EI in the future: maternity and parental leave, sickness leave, compassionate care or to care for a critically ill child. 90003 90002 For all of these benefits, including maternity and parental leave, you can earn 55 percent of your previous year’s income, minus any losses (like business expenses) up to the government’s «maximum insurable earnings» cap, which is $ 51,300 in 2017. ( This maximum typically increases a bit each year.) Your insurable earnings are calculated on a weekly basis, based on your total self-employment income for the prior year, divided by 52 weeks. So, the maximum you can collect on an EI claim is $ 543 per week ($ 51,300 divided by 52). 90003 90002 To get the payout, you have to pay in. Self-employed EI premiums are $ 1.63 for every $ 100 you earn this year, up to the same «maximum insurable earnings» number. So the most you’d pay for 2017, if you make $ 51,300 or more this year, is $ 836.19. 90003 90002 Here’s one of the biggest caveats with the program: Once you make any special benefits claim, you’re on the hook for paying premiums on your self-employed income for the remainder of your self-employed career.If you register but never use the benefits, you can opt out at any time (though you would not recoup the premiums you’ve already paid). 90003 90002 I opted in in September 2014 року, paid premiums on all of my income from all of 2014 and 2015 року, got pregnant in May 2015 and made a claim in February 2016, ten days before I became a mom. 90003 90002 90034 Is it worth it? 90018 90036 The challenge with the program is not so much what’s offered, it’s more how well it aligns, or does not, with the nature of self-employment and with your situation in particular.90003 90002 Shannon Lee Simmons, a 90005 financial planner 90006, founder of The New School of Finance and a mom-to-be, works with a lot of self-employed people. She often tackles the question of whether or not to register for these benefits, and even then, whether to make a claim at all. 90003 90002 The most important question Simmons asks her clients who are considering having kids in the near future is whether or not they can take a full year off their work. If it’s a yes, then great, the special EI benefits may be of value, depending on where their income falls within the maximum insurable earnings.(If your business earns less than $ 30,000 / year, the payout gets a bit dismal.) If they’re planning to have more than one child and hoping to get two or more mat leaves out of it, it can be even more valuable. 90003 90002 But that’s certainly not always the case. 90003 90002 «A lot of the sole proprietors that I see are their business and they do not have the ability to take a year off of work because the business they’re coming back to would die,» Simmons says. «If they do not keep putting coal on the fire, so to speak, what happens to their customers and their clients? They go somewhere else.»90003 90002 90005 Earning money while on leave 90018 90006 You can earn some money while you’re on parental leave, but there are restrictions. The Working While on Claim Pilot Project allows you to earn up to 90 percent of your pre-baby average weekly earnings and the government will reduce your weekly benefit payout by 50 percent of what you earned that week. You would report any income on the EI reports you’re required to submit online throughout your leave. (Regular EI claimants can opt-out of the reports, but self-employed claimants have to submit them every two weeks.) Anything you earn over that 90 percent is clawed back from your benefits dollar for dollar, but at that point, you’re likely working nearly full-time anyway and if that’s what you need to do more often than not, the EI program probably is not for you. 90003 90002 This essentially means you could return to work part-time, perhaps the equivalent of about two days a week, earn a bit of money and effectively top up your benefit amount by 50 percent of whatever you earn. 90003 90002 Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re a graphic designer who’s collecting the maximum weekly benefit of $ 543 per week, and you spend a few days here and there over four weeks working on a project that nets you $ 2,000.Rather than claiming that lump sum as one week’s earnings, you can split that up into $ 500 of income over each of those four weeks. Your benefit for each of those weeks would be reduced to $ 293. Not only would you collect a total of $ 3,172 ($ 1000. more than you would have pocketed otherwise) for those four weeks, but you’ve also been able to throw a bit of coal on your fire, keeping your work connections going. Not bad. 90003 90002 90034 Will it work for you? 90018 90036 This approach does not account for all the possible feast-or-famine realities that some self-employed workers face.What if you’re a real estate agent? Or a super in-demand web developer who can charge more for «quicker» work? Goods-based business owners can not easily predict when purchases will or will not be made, and then there are seasonal businesses that typically generate more revenue at a particular time of year. 90003 90002 «It’s a very specific type of sole proprietor who qualifies, first of all,» says Simmons. «Second of all, you have to have a high enough income to make it worth it; and third, who has a business they could peace out of for a year and then come back? It’s a very specific type of person.»90003 90002 If you’ve considered the options and done the math, and self-employed EI benefits do not seem like a good fit for you and your circumstances, the alternative is self-funding your own leave through savings, or simply returning to work sooner. Many self-employed workers whose partner is in regular employment take some unpaid time off to 90005 recover from birth 90006 and get through those first few months, and then return to work while their partner takes up to 35 weeks of parental leave.This means the self-employed parent is not out of work for as long, 90005 both parents get some solo time at home 90006 bonding with the new baby, and that the family can still save on 90005 childcare costs 90006 in that first year and maximize the spouse’s benefits. Simmons recommends parents-to-be start saving for their own DIY mat leave at least a year before they’d like to take a bit of time off, or, at the very latest, as soon as you find out you’re expecting. So, it’s the same kind of pre-planning that going the EI route requires.90003 90002 When it’s all said and done, deciding whether or not the special EI benefits for self-employed workers are for you comes down to a lot of number crunching and a bit of soul searching around what you, your growing family and your business need. 90003 90002 90005 Read more: 90018 Why going back to work does not suck as much as you think it will 90018 Maternity leave around the world 90018 What to do if you’re fired on maternity leave 90018 90006 90003 .