Can Company Stop Me Working A Second Job?

vindalooloo

I work for a well known Health Food store, part-time but it's not enough. I recently got a second job (which starts in a few weeks) to top up my earnings. However I recently saw a colleague's contract (I'm still on probation so haven't had one yet) and it stated that she wasn't allowed to work anywhere else without their permission!

Seems a bit tight that? My second job pays DOUBLE what they pay me (but I still need BOTH the jobs to top up to about a full time wage, if you see what I mean) but it's in a totally different field and done from home evenings and weekends (telephone work).

I'n now loathe to tell them that I am starting this other job shortly now in case they 'say I cant'. Can anyone advise me on this please? Would you shut up and say nowt or tell them? Surely they cannot stop me toping up my £80 a week to make a living?

lemontart

technically as you do not have a contract no they cannot, but once you sign one that states that then no they cannot stop you but you would be in breach of the contract and at risk of dismissal if that is their policy laid out in the contract..............ask the personnel officer or your supervisor for correct advice about their policy.

I don't really see what it matters if you are doing on your time, providing of course it is not in conflict with their business.

Beth
xx

Becles

Hubby has a similar clause in his contract. He works for Royal Mail, but has set up his own mobile disco, mainly working weekend evenings.

He had to inform RM of this and fill in a form, but as it's nothing to do with mail, RM said they had no problem with his second job.

hjb123

I dont see what its got to do with the employers to be honest - though I guess to be on the safe side you should tell them (or ask them) about it and ask if it would be a problem.

clairec79

We had this with Civil Service, no one actually got stopped from having a second job as far as I know, but the theory was that you wouldn't bring the company into disrupt - so if you got a second job as a stripper they will likely say no, if you had a second 'normal' job you'd be ok (unless things overlapped.

Unless your job is phone sex I can't see it being a problem

JohnInDebt

ts_aly2000 wrote:

But it pays so well.

I know :beer:

JohnInDebt

vindalooloo wrote:

I work for a well known Health Food store, part-time but it's not enough. I recently got a second job (which starts in a few weeks) to top up my earnings. However I recently saw a colleague's contract (I'm still on probation so haven't had one yet) and it stated that she wasn't allowed to work anywhere else without their permission!

Seems a bit tight that? My second job pays DOUBLE what they pay me (but I still need BOTH the jobs to top up to about a full time wage, if you see what I mean) but it's in a totally different field and done from home evenings and weekends (telephone work).

I'n now loathe to tell them that I am starting this other job shortly now in case they 'say I cant'. Can anyone advise me on this please? Would you shut up and say nowt or tell them? Surely they cannot stop me toping up my £80 a week to make a living?

The clause is normally there to stop you working for a competitor and creating a conflict of interests. If it's in a totally different field then it'll probably be ok.

Savvy_Sue

But if you don't tell them even after you've had a contract saying you can't do a second job without their permission, and they find out you are doing a second job without their permission, you are in deep doodah ...

As others have said, it's to stop you working in competition with yourself, or bringing the company into disrepute. Or, the other reason is to make sure there's not a conflict of interest between, say, a driving job where you're supposed to have regular rest breaks and another job where you're obviously working through your rest breaks.

I don't think they should refuse permission unreasonably. ACAS would be able to advise, I'd have thought.

vindalooloo

clairec79 wrote:

Unless your job is phone sex I can't see it being a problem

:eek: Heck no!

It's something similar to 'Samaritans'. Very worthwhile and completely legit.

bristol_pilot

If you injure yourself doing the second job and as a result are off sick from the first job, don't expect the first job to pay you sick pay.

C_Ronaldo

I dont get it, if the 2nd job is for hours that the OP is not at work then whats the problem, as long as the hours for the 2 jobs dont clash then whats wrong