Keeping In Touch (KIT) Days Explained: Working During Maternity Leave

What Are Keeping In Touch (KIT) Days?

Keeping In Touch days — commonly known as KIT days — allow you to work for up to 10 days during your maternity leave without it ending your leave or affecting your Statutory Maternity Pay. They're designed to help you stay connected with your workplace and ease the transition back to work.

KIT days are completely voluntary — your employer cannot require you to work, and you cannot insist on working. Both parties must agree.

How Many KIT Days Can You Take?

You can work for up to 10 KIT days during your entire maternity leave period. Key points:

•Any work done on a day counts as a full KIT day, even if you only work for one hour

•The 10 days can be used at any point during your maternity leave (except the compulsory 2-week period after birth)

•You cannot carry unused KIT days over — use them or lose them

•The 10-day limit is a total across your entire leave, not per month

How Much Do You Get Paid for KIT Days?

There is no statutory rate for KIT day pay — it depends on what you agree with your employer. However, most employers pay your normal daily rate for KIT days, on top of your SMP for that week.

Example

If your normal salary is £30,000/year:

•Your daily rate is approximately £115.38

•If you're in weeks 7-39, you're also receiving £194.32/week SMP

•For a KIT day in that period: £115.38 (KIT pay) + £194.32/7 (daily SMP) = approximately £141.68 for that day, with SMP continuing as normal

Some employers offset the KIT day pay against your SMP, while others pay it on top. Check with your HR department before agreeing to KIT days.

What Can You Do on a KIT Day?

KIT days can be used for almost any work-related activity:

•Attending team meetings or away days

•Training courses or professional development

•Catching up on key projects or changes

•Handover meetings before or after your leave

•Conferences or networking events

•Performance reviews or appraisals

The flexibility means you can choose activities that are genuinely useful for your career development and staying connected.

Rules and Restrictions

The 2-Week Compulsory Leave

You cannot work during the first 2 weeks after your baby is born (4 weeks if you work in a factory). This is compulsory maternity leave and KIT days cannot override it.

Impact on SMP

Working a KIT day does not stop your SMP. Your statutory maternity pay continues to be paid as normal throughout the 39-week paid period, regardless of KIT days taken.

However, if you work more than 10 days during maternity leave, you will lose your SMP for each additional day worked. This is an important distinction — days 1-10 are fine, but day 11 triggers SMP loss for that week.

Tax and National Insurance

KIT day pay is treated as normal earnings and subject to Income Tax and National Insurance deductions through PAYE, just like your regular salary.

KIT Days vs SPLIT Days

If you're on Shared Parental Leave instead of maternity leave, you get Shared Parental Leave In Touch (SPLIT) days rather than KIT days. Each parent on SPL can work up to 20 SPLIT days — offering even more flexibility.

How to Arrange KIT Days

1.Discuss with your manager before your maternity leave begins — agree in principle which activities you might come in for

2.Put agreements in writing — confirm the dates, activities, and agreed pay rate

3.Keep a record — note down each KIT day used so you don't exceed 10

4.Claim expenses — if you incur travel or childcare costs for a KIT day, discuss reimbursement with your employer

Should You Use KIT Days?

There are pros and cons to consider:

Benefits:

•Stay up to date with workplace changes

•Maintain professional relationships

•Ease the anxiety of returning to work

•Earn extra income on top of SMP

•Attend training that supports your career

Considerations:

•Arranging childcare for a single day can be difficult

•It can feel disruptive to your maternity leave routine

•You may feel pressure to be available when you should be resting

•Travel costs may reduce the financial benefit

KIT Days and Your Return to Work

Many women use KIT days strategically in the weeks before their planned return:

•Attend a team meeting to reconnect with colleagues

•Complete mandatory training or compliance updates

•Meet with your manager to discuss your return arrangements

•Gradually reintroduce yourself to the workplace environment

This can make the actual return to work feel much less daunting. For more advice, read our guide on returning to work after maternity leave.

Calculate Your Maternity Pay

KIT days can supplement your maternity income, but understanding your base pay is essential:

•Calculate your SMP — week-by-week breakdown

•See your take-home pay — after tax and NI

•Plan your maternity dates

•Read about your maternity rights