Second Job

one-non-blonde

I currently work just under 31 hours a week in the public sector. I've just started a second job in retail for 18 hours a week, so 48.8-ish hours a week in total (the odd hours stem from when we changed from 35 to 36 hours a week and I was on a 6/7 contract).

I've had a look at the secondary employment policy of my main job which is quite vague but states that it's objective is not to prevent secondary employment - obviously the primary concerns are employee welfare and conflicts of interest (of which there will be none in this case).

I have yet to tell my manager about my second job as quite frankly I felt it was none of her business. However, I've now been given the impression that I am obligated to tell her and furthermore we apparently have a secondary employment 'request' form. She has a track record of being awkward and although I don't think she would be able to refuse the application without a valid reason, the amount of hours (taking me over the WTD maximum) will probably be an insurmountable issue. I have my union rep looking into the possibility to opt-out.

My questions are, a) Will my main employer have any way of finding out how many hours I work in my second job? (One option I'm considering is slightly under-declaring the number of hours I'm doing); and b) Is the 48 hour average the actual hours worked (in which case my annual leave entitlement would take me well under), or the contracted hours?

When I took on the second job I didn't know it was going to be this much of a headache!

gibson123

Unfortunately unless you declare your second job you could fall foul of the tax man, you should really ask your main employer for a P46 to give to your second employer so that you are taxed correctly and not claiming two personal allowances.

The WTD rules have to be adhered to or of course an opt out and finally if your performance falls in your first job, your employer could also take this into consideration.

mountainofdebt

I worked 2 jobs and my main employer had no idea that I had a 2nd job.

So long as you complete a P46 and state that you this is your 2nd employment (I think its statement C but don't hold me to that) then you will be taxed at the correct rate on the 2nd job.

Your main employer doesn't need to see this form only your 2nd employer.

Savvy_Sue

gibson123 wrote: »

Unfortunately unless you declare your second job you could fall foul of the tax man, you should really ask your main employer for a P46 to give to your second employer so that you are taxed correctly and not claiming two personal allowances.

actually, the new employer should provide the P46 (because the OP won't be handing in a P45), or you can download one yourself from the HMRC website, it's not the main employer's responsibility to provide this as the tax code they use won't change.

gibson123 wrote: »

finally if your performance falls in your first job, your employer could also take this into consideration.

That's the thing I'd be wary of: that's a lot of hours in job 2.

one-non-blonde

Yeah, I know about my tax liability. In fact, after tax and losing tax credits, it's hardly worth it but it's a means to an end!

Having looked at the regulations more closely, it looks like I'll be falling foul of the 11 consecutive hours rest rule as well (finishing at 10pm in job 2 and starting at 8:30am in job 1) several days a week. I have no issues with the hours I'll be working (time will tell if it's too much) as the roles are completely different, I just don't want to be prevented from even giving it a go by someone 'claiming' to have my best interests at heart.

one-non-blonde

mountainofdebt wrote: »

I worked 2 jobs and my main employer had no idea that I had a 2nd job.

I'll be on a shop floor five minutes walk from my main office - I don't think I'll be able to hide forever! :rotfl:

(I could have fun trying though!)

mountainofdebt

Have you thought about mystery shopping?

I know the work isn't guaranteed and yes you do have to tell the tax man but at least you don't have to ask your employer for permission and you can choose (to a certain extent) when you do it?

The other thing I would say is that working 2 jobs does take it out of you. I did it for 4 years and by the end I was cream crackered

one-non-blonde

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Have you thought about mystery shopping?

I know the work isn't guaranteed and yes you do have to tell the tax man but at least you don't have to ask your employer for permission and you can choose (to a certain extent) when you do it?

The other thing I would say is that working 2 jobs does take it out of you. I did it for 4 years and by the end I was cream crackered

It's not just about the extra money, I'm hoping the retail job will lead to management training (they've certainly indicated that it's not unrealistic). I've got postgraduate qualifications in something completely unrelated but for lots of reasons have been stuck in a soul destroying admin job for years.

I know it's going to be tiring but I'm prepared to put in the hours to see if there will be a long-term gain. As for it affecting my main job - as I said, I do mind-numbing admin, I could do it half-asleep.

t0rt0ise

one-non-blonde wrote: »

It's not just about the extra money, I'm hoping the retail job will lead to management training (they've certainly indicated that it's not unrealistic).

It may not be case this time but my first reaction was "they always say that" so don't be too disappointed if it never comes to anything.

one-non-blonde

t0rt0ise wrote: »

It may not be case this time but my first reaction was "they always say that" so don't be too disappointed if it never comes to anything.

Ha ha, yeah, I know!

ohreally

Given your main employer is public sector, you will likely be contractualy compelled to sign a WTR opt out in addition to getting their permission to undetake additional employment.