What should a teacher be paid for Keeping in Touch (KIT) days?
The Work and Families Act 2006 provides that a woman can do up to 10 days’ work during her maternity leave without bringing her maternity leave to an end or losing maternity pay. As far as we are aware authorities are adopting different practices with regard to payment for KIT days. BERR (formerly the DTI) provide one option, which is to offset the pay due against the SMP for the week, in their guidance on KIT days. Issues to take into account when determining pay include the nature of work and duration. We advise that any policy is clear and understood by employees before they do any work and that consideration is given to the impact on lower paid staff if the authority wishes to take advantage of the possible improvements in communication and retention that this initiative may bring. Note that an employee cannot carry out any work during the first two weeks following the birth of the child (the compulsory maternity leave period).
