Freelance while full time

[ensignia]

Lots of the usual suspects on here will blather on about it being impossible, and that companies are paying for your time between 9-5 (and with no hint of irony bang on about IR35 being about deliverables/objectives etc and not bums on seats), but the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I've had multiple clients at the same time who all expected full time resource for a set of project deliverables, and that's exactly what they got i.e. the deliverables outlined within the time specified. It made no difference that I was working "full time" for another client at the same time as long as they were happy. I would suggest they were because each one extended beyond the original end date until I was juggling three full time gigs at once and had to decline one just because I valued my time more.

The people on here who are dead against it are jealous they don't have the faculties to manage multiple clients at once and get the resultant benefit of the multiple sources of revenue, and not because of some moral fortitude or ethics.

Feels good seeing the company coffers swelling up at a previously unheard of rate

[northernladuk]

Lots of the usual suspects on here will blather on about it being impossible, and that companies are paying for your time between 9-5 (and with no hint of irony bang on about IR35 being about deliverables/objectives etc and not bums on seats), but the truth is somewhere in the middle.

The truth is there in the T&C's he posted. The usual suspects that blathered were absolutely spot on. How can you even argue that?

I've had multiple clients at the same time who all expected full time resource for a set of project deliverables, and that's exactly what they got i.e. the deliverables outlined within the time specified. It made no difference that I was working "full time" for another client at the same time as long as they were happy. I would suggest they were because each one extended beyond the original end date until I was juggling three full time gigs at once and had to decline one just because I valued my time more.

Compared to the raft of the other people that haven't. That's a drop in the ocean, not middle ground. You are indicating half contractors can do this and I haven't met one in many years that has a side hussle. Might look like it's in the middle because you are in that position but it's no where near. There is no evidence whatsoever it's in the middle yet a massive amount from people on here that it is very uncommon. It's there in black and white.

The people on here who are dead against it are jealous they don't have the faculties to manage multiple clients at once and get the resultant benefit of the multiple sources of revenue, and not because of some moral fortitude or ethics.

No they are not. They are stating facts and anecdotal evidence... which, I'll say again, turned out to be absolutely spot on.

[jamesbrown]

The people on here who are dead against it are jealous they don't have the faculties to manage multiple clients at once and get the resultant benefit of the multiple sources of revenue, and not because of some moral fortitude or ethics.

Feels good seeing the company coffers swelling up at a previously unheard of rate

The people on here that attempt to juggle multiple T&M contracts that are nominally fulltime are mostly chancers that don't have the faculties or demand to negotiate fixed price work, which is the cleanest way to deliver to multiple clients and where the real money is at.

[eek]

Lots of the usual suspects on here will blather on about it being impossible, and that companies are paying for your time between 9-5 (and with no hint of irony bang on about IR35 being about deliverables/objectives etc and not bums on seats), but the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I've had multiple clients at the same time who all expected full time resource for a set of project deliverables, and that's exactly what they got i.e. the deliverables outlined within the time specified. It made no difference that I was working "full time" for another client at the same time as long as they were happy. I would suggest they were because each one extended beyond the original end date until I was juggling three full time gigs at once and had to decline one just because I valued my time more.

The people on here who are dead against it are jealous they don't have the faculties to manage multiple clients at once and get the resultant benefit of the multiple sources of revenue, and not because of some moral fortitude or ethics.

Feels good seeing the company coffers swelling up at a previously unheard of rate

Go back and read the OP’s contract and then tell me how the OP can do what you are suggesting within the employment contract that was signed

[northernladuk]

Go back and read the OP’s contract and then tell me how the OP can do what you are suggesting within the employment contract that was signed

Sush you usual suspect and calm your blathering. Pointing out facts related directly to the OPs question and giving the correct advice isn't going to appease ensignia.

[NotAllThere]

Don't listen to the usual bully grumpy lot who have nothing better to do than spread negativity, and refer you to an accountant every other post !! The higher their number of posts on the profile, the more rubbish they spread around.

Lots of the usual suspects on here will blather on about it being impossible, and that companies are paying for your time between 9-5 (and with no hint of irony bang on about IR35 being about deliverables/objectives etc and not bums on seats), but the truth is somewhere in the middle....

The people on here who are dead against it are jealous they don't have the faculties to manage multiple clients at once and get the resultant benefit of the multiple sources of revenue, and not because of some moral fortitude or ethics...

You are both needlessly aggressive in your posts. Pack it in. This thread was perfectly polite until you two turned up. This is the professional part of the site - keep it that way.

You also seem to not have noticed that this isn't about multiple concurrent contracts, rather taking on a contract while in permanent employment, which very commonly precludes any outside commercial activity without the employer's consent. Such as the OP quotes from his own contract.

Just retrieved relevant lines from the contract letter.

Because you are employed on an exclusive basis, you promise that you will not during the continuance of your employment either alone or jointly with or on behalf of others, whether directly or indirectly, engage in, carry on or be interested in or concerned in any other business trade or professional occupation whatsoever (without the prior consent in writing of The Company), otherwise than as a holder of no more than 10% in aggregate of any class of shares, debentures or other securities issued from time to time of any company which are listed for the time being quoted or dealt in on any recognized investment exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, you must declare all outside business interests that have the potential to conflict with the commercial interests of the company or which is likely to bring the company into disrepute in accordance with the policies on the Policy and Information Site. Such outside business interests include but are not limited to any outside employment, directorships or material shareholding.

Of course the OP can breach the terms of their employment contract, but if their employer finds out, they'll be dismissed for gross misconduct. That's probably a risk he doesn't want to take.

[Lance]

Lots of the usual suspects on here will blather on about it being impossible, and that companies are paying for your time between 9-5 (and with no hint of irony bang on about IR35 being about deliverables/objectives etc and not bums on seats), but the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I've had multiple clients at the same time who all expected full time resource for a set of project deliverables, and that's exactly what they got i.e. the deliverables outlined within the time specified. It made no difference that I was working "full time" for another client at the same time as long as they were happy. I would suggest they were because each one extended beyond the original end date until I was juggling three full time gigs at once and had to decline one just because I valued my time more.

The people on here who are dead against it are jealous they don't have the faculties to manage multiple clients at once and get the resultant benefit of the multiple sources of revenue, and not because of some moral fortitude or ethics.

Feels good seeing the company coffers swelling up at a previously unheard of rate

*cough* -
I have multiple clients. However I didn't have to ask on here how to do it or whether I can do it. I knew what was involved and did it.

Yes it's possible (but not for the OP), but anyone who has to ask has an immediate problem and can only see greed. If you are running a genuine business then you don't need to ask as that is what a business does.

[user400058]

You are both needlessly aggressive in your posts. Pack it in. This thread was perfectly polite until you two turned up. This is the professional part of the site - keep it that way.

Totally agree with this. I really appreciate the replies from all the posters here but not want to see this turned into keyboard battle field. Please lets show some respect for each other. If you don't agree with something just ignore it.

I am still undecided. I have being asked to start in 5 to 6 weeks unfortunately full time employment has 3 month notice very frustrating....

[eek]

Totally agree with this. I really appreciate the replies from all the posters here but not want to see this turned into keyboard battle field. Please lets show some respect for each other. If you don't agree with something just ignore it.

I am still undecided. I have being asked to start in 5 to 6 weeks unfortunately full time employment has 3 month notice very frustrating....

So, are you happy to walk away from your full time job.

If so hand you notice in and try to reduce the notice period...

[northernladuk]

Totally agree with this. I really appreciate the replies from all the posters here but not want to see this turned into keyboard battle field. Please lets show some respect for each other. If you don't agree with something just ignore it.

I am still undecided. I have being asked to start in 5 to 6 weeks unfortunately full time employment has 3 month notice very frustrating....

Remember getting your 2nd gig is the hardest part. You won't have any dovetail or comfort job. When the first gig ends you'll have no income and you'll still be a risk to a client with only 1 gig under your belt. There will be many many more experienced contractors ahead of you. Getting one gig out of the blue while you are comfortable in a perm role isn't being a contractor.

You'll also actually be poorer in your first gig than ever as you have to concentrate on saving a pot of money to keep you through 3 - 6 months of being out of work. Don't get giddy about the rate, you'll be on the absolute minimum you can afford until you've 30k+ in the bank and you can't touch that.