My Work are saying you can not have 2 jobs now?

Martin92

Hi everyone, 
I had asked my employer if it was okay to get a second job which they replied yes it is fine with us where i was placed on furlough leave.
So i started working for another job now and now there admin team is saying your not allowed a second job you cant do that and get furlough? i dont think they know all the rules so wanted to double check here as they didn't realise any emoployee who is new can be placed on furlough till 21st March 2020
Can someone help me please?

Jeremy535897

From guidance to employees:
"If your contract allows, you may undertake other employment while your current employer has placed you on furlough, and this will not affect the grant that they can claim under the scheme. You will need to be able to return to work for the employer that has placed you on furlough if they decide to stop furloughing you, and you must be able to undertake any training they require while on furlough. If you take on new employment, you should ensure you complete the starter checklist form with your new employer correctly. If you are furloughed from another employment, you should complete Statement C. Any activities undertaken while on furlough must be in line with the latest Public Health guidance during the COVID-19 outbreak."

Galloglass

While it is perfectly possible to have a 2nd job (and a life) outside of your 1st job, you still need to check the terms of your employment contract to see if there are any restrictions there. If there are none, then the admin team "may" be wrong.

The "may" is because if the second job interferes with the first, you may be in breach of your employment contract which can lead to the contract being terminated. So check the terms or ask admin to explain their reasoning.

Jeremy535897

OP asked the employer whether it was OK to take another job and was told "yes". If there is evidence of this, it will replace any term in the contract of employment that does not allow a second job.

Martin92

Okay I asked my boss verbally which he replied yes it's fine. in my contract it says 'tell us' , it does not stipulate it needs to be in writing.

Jeremy535897

I think you can go back to your admin department and point to the guidance I quoted. It is in:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
If they say you are not allowed to have a second job under your contract without telling them, explain that you told your boss and he agreed.