Getting a second job

JackHubbard92

Hi all,


I'm looking for a bit of advice of my girlfriends situation at work.


She has recently changed career path from full time beauty to go into Secretarial work. Her new job is 39 hours a week over 4 days (always Mon, Wed-Fri).


We are in the process of buying our first house so she has decided that as she is used to working 5 days from previous jobs anyway, she would look at getting a second job. She has since found a job that will accommodate her for 10 hours a day on a Tuesday. She didn't think anything of it but just happened to mention it at her main job today and has been told they aren't particularly happy about it as they wanted her to be free on Tuesdays to cover Holidays/sickness.


I have read today that if you're combined hours go over 48 hours a week then you need to inform your employer and fill in a form which is all fine. But do the main job employer have the right to tell her she can't work the second job on the basis they want cover for holidays and sickness? Obviously if it impacts her ability to do her main job then I can understand that but I would have thought that an employer can't insist on someone being free on days they aren't contracted 'just in case'.


Would be grateful for any advice anyone has!


Jack

OscarFoxtrot

Sort of.


They can just sack her. She has no employment rights for first two years.

lincroft1710

Many employers do not allow their employees to have second jobs, but this should be mentioned in the employment contract or staff handbook.

Neil_Jones

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Many employers do not allow their employees to have second jobs, but this should be mentioned in the employment contract or staff handbook.

I doubt this somehow, there are no end of reports in the media of people who have to take two, sometimes three jobs, to make ends meet but that's arbitrary to this discussion.

It's granted that you will not be allowed to work for a competitor in the same field, ie you can't work at PC World and then work for an independent computer shop as a second job, that would be a conflict of interest, but that should be obvious.

However its more likely to be the case that if you work for somebody as a primary job, your priorities should be in their favour. In nine out of ten cases this will be a day job, however if your company only ever works 9-5 there should be in theory nothing to stop you working 6pm-10pm in a pub as it doesn't cross over with your main job.

Now that being said, your working the second job may leave you tired and unrested which may impact on your primary job for reduced performance and persistent lateness or whatever.

You need really OP to check your work contract as to what the situation is.

Pension_Geek

Neil_Jones wrote: »

I doubt this somehow, there are no end of reports in the media of people who have to take two, sometimes three jobs, to make ends meet but that's arbitrary to this discussion.

It's granted that you will not be allowed to work for a competitor in the same field, ie you can't work at PC World and then work for an independent computer shop as a second job, that would be a conflict of interest, but that should be obvious.

However its more likely to be the case that if you work for somebody as a primary job, your priorities should be in their favour. In nine out of ten cases this will be a day job, however if your company only ever works 9-5 there should be in theory nothing to stop you working 6pm-10pm in a pub as it doesn't cross over with your main job.

Now that being said, your working the second job may leave you tired and unrested which may impact on your primary job for reduced performance and persistent lateness or whatever.

You need really OP to check your work contract as to what the situation is.

Its been in any contract I have had with an employer. Or at the very least you need to ask for permission.

General_Grant

JackHubbard92 wrote: »

Hi all,


I'm looking for a bit of advice of my girlfriends situation at work.


She has recently changed career path from full time beauty to go into Secretarial work. Her new job is 39 hours a week over 4 days (always Mon, Wed-Fri).


We are in the process of buying our first house so she has decided that as she is used to working 5 days from previous jobs anyway, she would look at getting a second job. She has since found a job that will accommodate her for 10 hours a day on a Tuesday. She didn't think anything of it but just happened to mention it at her main job today and has been told they aren't particularly happy about it as they wanted her to be free on Tuesdays to cover Holidays/sickness.


I have read today that if you're combined hours go over 48 hours a week then you need to inform your employer and fill in a form which is all fine. But do the main job employer have the right to tell her she can't work the second job on the basis they want cover for holidays and sickness? Obviously if it impacts her ability to do her main job then I can understand that but I would have thought that an employer can't insist on someone being free on days they aren't contracted 'just in case'.


Would be grateful for any advice anyone has!


Jack

For the holiday cover, she would presumably have notice of their request for her to work Tuesdays. Would she be able to take time off the regular Tuesday job (perhaps use paid leave) to help the main employer?


Is the new Tuesday opportunity one where she would be self-employed?

JCS1

Also in my contract that you have to get employer's permission.

lincroft1710

Pension_Geek wrote: »

Its been in any contract I have had with an employer. Or at the very least you need to ask for permission.

Same here, but have to confess I had a Saturday morning job for a short time but didn't tell main employer. I am sure some of those with 2 or 3 jobs also don't tell