Reply to: One off contract while in full time employment (Advice Please)

[mnizi]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to go ahead with this and as yet haven't mentioned it to my current employer.

I am just negotiating the contract now and I have been given the option of going on the companies payroll rather that being self employed. This would obviously make it easier for me as I wouldnt need to worry about a tax return etc. However by doing this will my current employer find out through the Tax system that I have taken a second job?

[strawberrysmoothie]

I would stay totally schtum about it. The only person I would mention it to is my accountant.

[rd409]

When I was permie at a leading organization in London, all of the IT staff used to do extra work outside. Whilst the managers knew about it, they hardly ever raised any concerns. There was no official "letting the business know" kind of stuff, and we didn't even bother.
If your employer wants you to work extra hours, you have an option to say no because of personal commitments. You are contracted for a set amount of hours per week, anything apart from that should be mutually agreed.
Just go ahead and accept the work. You never know this might be your stepping stone to the wonderful world of contracting.....

[Platypus]

I think you've got nothing to gain and everything to lose by informing them

Your employer has no reason at all to say yes, so all you're doing is sowing the seeds of doubt about your dedication and commitment to them.

Precisely.

I absolutely would not tell.

[jocor]

I would not inform them either. There are a lot of things that could be classed as a conflict of interest if they want to get rid of you.

[xS9]

The number of variables and scenarios here are vast!

It totally depends upon your current primary employer, what sector they are? what work they do? what role you are in? what your contract dictates with regards to additional work?

Typically I'd say if you are 100% sure that the work won't co-inside with your primary employment just do it and fill in an SA at the end of the tax year.

Only let your line manager know if the second employer could be classed as a competitor therefore really risking a conflict of interest.

Ideally you just do the work and ask the company to pay you cash, all would be easier

[mudskipper]

But that's like asking HMRC for their opinion on your IR35 status. Your employer has no reason at all to say yes, so all you're doing is sowing the seeds of doubt about your dedication and commitment to them.

When I was a permie, I asked, and they said yes. It wasn't a problem.
You just need to declare it on your tax return as additional income.

[KentPhilip]

Don't tell them.

You're not their chattel, they don't own you, its none of their goddam business.

[pmeswani]

But that's like asking HMRC for their opinion on your IR35 status. Your employer has no reason at all to say yes, so all you're doing is sowing the seeds of doubt about your dedication and commitment to them.

I disagree with the analogy. When I was working at RBS on Shift, I asked the manager if he or RBS had any issues with me doing any additional work outside my shift work. He said no problems, as long as I was available for my shifts and that the work did not pose a conflict of interest with the customer.

[VectraMan]

I personally think it is better to get permission, for the employer to say no and to lose the 2nd employment, than to take on the 2nd employment, for the main employer to find out and then sack the employee for misconduct.

But that's like asking HMRC for their opinion on your IR35 status. Your employer has no reason at all to say yes, so all you're doing is sowing the seeds of doubt about your dedication and commitment to them.

[pmeswani]

I agree. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission. If you genuinely believe that your part time job will not interfere with your permie job then I can't see that there is any problem or permission to seek.

How do you ask for forgiveness if you have been sacked for misconduct (i.e. being in breach of contract by taking on extra work which was ultimately a conflict of interest)? I personally think it is better to get permission, for the employer to say no and to lose the 2nd employment, than to take on the 2nd employment, for the main employer to find out and then sack the employee for misconduct.

I don't believe the OP will truly know if the work will be in conflict of interest, until they get permission.

Just a view.

[Wanderer]

I think you've got nothing to gain and everything to lose by informing them.

I agree. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission. If you genuinely believe that your part time job will not interfere with your permie job then I can't see that there is any problem or permission to seek.

[VectraMan]

I think you've got nothing to gain and everything to lose by informing them. For one thing, they might just tell you not to do it; almost anything could be covered by "conflict of interests" and then you're in a lot more trouble if you do. They might also say fine, and then quietly cross you off the list of people deserving of pay rises or promotions because of your lack of dedication.

Worst case is they find out, and use the fact you broke your contract to get rid of you. But if you're that unimportant to your employer that they're looking for reasons to get rid of you, your days are probably numbered anyway.

But obviously it's your risk. Don't expect me to help you out if you follow my advice and it goes wrong.

[BolshieBastard]

Well despite what's been said here, the OP should check their contract of employment with their current employer.

It's likely there is a clause which prevents you having another job while working for them, be that due to a conflict of interest ie competitor, or, they just want your full devotion to them.

Personally, I wouldnt try and take on another job on the QT.

Check first and only if there's no clause would I consider proceeding. 10 hours a week for 3 or 4 months sound ok. but the reality can be different. What if your current employer needs you to work extra hours all of a sudden?

If you're already working 40 hours a week, another 10 means long days. What happens if the second job which is supposed to be 10 hours turns out to be 12 or 15 hours extra a week?

[mnizi]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will inform my manager although I am almost 100% certain there is no conflict of interest.