Second job ethical dilemma

happyformonths

Hi guys,

Can you help me?

I'm looking at maybe getting a 2nd job (well, I say 2nd job. I've already got 3... though one will be finishing soon!), but it's for a "rival" of one of the companies I already work for, and I don't want to give up working for Rival A - I want to work for both! (I could fit this in time-wise without any problem.)

I don't think there's anything in my contract with Rival A that prevents me from taking on work with a company like Rival B. I am self-employed in this work.

Rival A has treated me really well (although the money isn't brilliant - it would be better at Rival and in a way I feel bad for even considering it. But I really need the money. My debt-free day is still nearly 5 years away, minimum, and I just can't stand that.

However, does the simple fact that I don't feel good about it mean that I should listen to that and not go ahead (if you see what I mean)? I wouldn't ever do anything to compromise either company, ie share information or anything. I just wonder what's acceptable really.

Any advice?!

HFM

Annie_Fanny

If there is nothing in your contract to prevent you doing this then I would do it. You want to be debt free - if you took another job in another industry it would probably be less well paid but at least with this situation you can add the experience to your CV. Could you take the job with rival B for say 6 months and then review your position?

Would the Rival B company actually offer you a job if they know you work for Rival A. Or would you have to tell a little tiny lie?

happyformonths

Call me stupid, but I never considered that Rival B might ask me about my work for Rival A! Getting the job appears to be a matter of proving ability rather than showing background - but of course they must ask for "similar experience" mustn't they? Duh.

Thinking about this, I think I'd have to tell them. So Rival B would know, and if they'd still have me then fine. But I'd still feel bad about "deceiving" Rival A... so... maybe I should forget it really.

Ooh, I do worry! I'm in a bit of a state today with home issues, so maybe I'm worried for nothing.

Thanks Annie.

HFM

bargainbetty

Hello Happy,

If your contract doesn't specifically exclude your working for another company, rival or otherwise, then you have no legal restrictions. Do you have a confidentiality agreement in place? If you are covered by that, then your A employer will have reassurance that you won't share business info.

Why do you have doubts about it? You are a contractor working for individual businesses, and none of them own you body and soul.

I work full-time for a law firm in London. However, I maintain good links to my previous employer (also a lawyer) and occasionally he will offer me a paid project that I can do in my spare time. As long as there is no client conflict I see no problem in taking the work on, and the financial boost helps every time!

Try the work, and see how you feel.

Good luck, whatever you do
x

Kevicho

You should be fine, as long as when you provide examples of what work you do, then dont disclose any information regarding clients, systems or other sensitive information.

Explain this to company B, they should understand the situation, and have a word with both companies saying you are prepared to sign non disclosure agreements to say you will not be passing on trade secrets to there competitors

Annie_Fanny

Hope you are ok HFM with your home issues.

You could always try ringing Rival B and asking them their policy on employing someone from Rival A, using a different name for yourself if they ask you!

I don't know what line of work you are in but I would concentrate on getting yourself out of debt then worrying about deceit. Or may be I am just a bit selfish.

I think once you are out of debt then you can be ethical! I don't mean that as rude at all just trying to spur you on!

Good luck!

Annie

Joe_Bloggs

I'm sure you can give it a trial run. Perhaps get two hats and wristbands. You do risk losing both opportunities whatever they may be. How did rival B find out about you ? What if customers of rival A contact you and also deal with rival B depending upon who works out best ?
J_B.

happyformonths

I don't normally "thank" everyone on my threads but you've all been so helpful - thank you.

I guess the question "why are you worrying?" answers my original question - whether there is anything to worry about!

Rival A dangled a possible promotion in front of me a few weeks ago so maybe that's why I feel more loyal... however, they haven't delivered on it yet, and as I say the pay isn't brilliant in my current position, so perhaps I'll apply to Rival B and see how it goes, and then if the promotion materialises I can review the situation. In a more senior position I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable being a "Double Agent" as it were.

Yes, there's a confidentiality agreement in the contract with Rival A: I hadn't thought of that providing reassurance to them, but I guess it does.

Or maybe I'll ring Rival B, Annie - good idea!

Oh and thanks, I'm okay, just a wearying situation at home which should come to an end soon, being forced to go camping this weekend (look at the weather!) and my other half never listening to a word I say! One of those tiring times.

Thanks again.

HFM

Molanole

happyformonths wrote:

Rival A dangled a possible promotion in front of me a few weeks ago so maybe that's why I feel more loyal... however, they haven't delivered on it yet, and as I say the pay isn't brilliant in my current position,

Speaking from experience please don't hang your hopes on a verbal promise. It's happened to me many a time and in the end I have no choice but to move as it will ultimately start to eat away at you as they continue to promise and never deliver.

I was once given some advice which has stayed with me and I remember whenever I start to have misplaced loyalty to a company. It doesn't matter how loyal we are to a company, any company, and feel that we can't leave, you can bet that if they wanted to get rid of you they would, no qualms. It's all a commercial decision after all and we all need to start thinking the same way and make the best of the opportunities offered to us.

Good luck in your decisions. I hope it all works out for you

Mola x

Annie_Fanny

HFM

Glad I could be of some use to you!

Re: camping...I AM looking at the weather and erm yes it doesn't look good. But try and learn to turn all negatives to positives. If you are gonna be stuck in a tent then take a good book with you and some music!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with exploring your options. Just try and think that you have no loyalty to anyone but yourself! Like you say review your situation when you decide to!

Good luck....secretly hope you get both jobs though and rake in loadsacash!

Annie

Annie_Fanny

Molanole wrote:

Speaking from experience please don't hang your hopes on a verbal promise. It's happened to me many a time and in the end I have no choice but to move as it will ultimately start to eat away at you as they continue to promise and never deliver.

I was once given some advice which has stayed with me and I remember whenever I start to have misplaced loyalty to a company. It doesn't matter how loyal we are to a company, any company, and feel that we can't leave, you can bet that if they wanted to get rid of you they would, no qualms. It's all a commercial decision after all and we all need to start thinking the same way and make the best of the opportunities offered to us.

Good luck in your decisions. I hope it all works out for you

Mola x

Excellent advice. I know it is grim but I have had to learn the hard way. By nature I am a very loyal person but have learnt from experience that I have had to suppress that part of me.