Can my employer find about moonlighting? 28 February 2022 at 4:10PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 25 replies 1.8K views

Conan1Sett

OK so I have two jobs. 

One job is in the Maritime Industry, so I work at sea. 

The second job is in a factory, close to my home address. 

I have been dismissed from my sea-going job as a result of a struggle with mental health issues and alcoholism. I had a fit note between an incident and my dismissal. I am optimistic that my appeal will see the dismissal reversed. 

Now, I have signed up to counseling for my issues and the GP is willing to renew the fit note. The reason I need a fit note is because it's unfeasible to attend counseling because of the nature of the job. There's no telling which port I'd be in by next week and potentially I'd be at sea. 

Working my other job close to home, I could still attend counseling appointments.

Here's the thing: could I just continue working at the factory whilst using my fit note for my Maritime job to keep me at home until my treatment is completed? 

General_Grant

Conan1Sett said:

OK so I have two jobs. 

One job is in the Maritime Industry, so I work at sea. 

The second job is in a factory, close to my home address. 

I have been dismissed from my sea-going job as a result of a struggle with mental health issues and alcoholism. I had a fit note between an incident and my dismissal. I am optimistic that my appeal will see the dismissal reversed. 

Now, I have signed up to counseling for my issues and the GP is willing to renew the fit note. The reason I need a fit note is because it's unfeasible to attend counseling because of the nature of the job. There's no telling which port I'd be in by next week and potentially I'd be at sea. 

Working my other job close to home, I could still attend counseling appointments.

Here's the thing: could I just continue working at the factory whilst using my fit note for my Maritime job to keep me at home until my treatment is completed? 

Are the tasks of the two jobs similar?  Other than being available for counselling appointments, is there any reason why you can't do the offshore job but can the factory one?

Conan1Sett

Well one is a Civil Servant job for the MOD and the other is a factory production line. Apples and pears I guess.

Nope the counseling appointments are the sole reason for the fit note. 

BrassicWoman

Would the GP do a fit note for one and sign you as fit to work for the other?

General_Grant

So the work is different in the different locatiions.

If the GP is willing to issue a fit note to excuse you from the CS job, then you just produce that for the CS.

The factory job doesn't need to see a fit note does it?

The factory job (which you describe as "moonlighting") might be found out about by your employer, but your reason for doing that and not your CS one is that the work is different.

Conan1Sett

General_Grant said:

So the work is different in the different locatiions.

If the GP is willing to issue a fit note to excuse you from the CS job, then you just produce that for the CS.

The factory job doesn't need to see a fit note does it?

The factory job (which you describe as "moonlighting") might be found out about by your employer, but your reason for doing that and not your CS one is that the work is different.

How could they find out? 

Savvy_Sue

You need to look at the contract of employment from each employer: either may say (and the CS probably DOES say) that you need to tell them if you take on other employment / get permission to do so. 

How could the CS find out? Chance remark (you let something slip), direct questioning if they suspect this, your social media, you're recognised on here by a CS colleague or manager ... 

Factory job probably knows already that you have another job - if your tax code there is BR it's an indication that you have another source of taxable income. 

[Deleted User]

Conan1Sett said:

How could they find out? 

Some individuals can't wait to burst to the employer. The fewer who know your arrangement the better.

Emmia

If you win your appeal, can't you seek a job role within the MOD (or elsewhere in the CS) that would mean you're able to stay onshore and attend appointments? 

Reading between the lines, it sounds like the working arrangements may be a root cause that caused the incident that led to the dismissal - given your situation, should you be trying to go back to the role, since treatment may, or may not be effective.

I'm also presuming it is a serious matter that led to this situation as it is quite difficult to get dismissed from the CS - would your colleagues want you back in reality, or would you be something of a pariah?

Your tax code would also be a give away to the MOD - and I'd wager that payroll checks are done periodically to identify possible undeclared double jobbers (especially somewhere like the MOD, with security concerns).

Not being upfront about the other job by declaring it, also calls your integrity and honesty into question - which doesn't look great in an appeal situation. (Are the MOD still paying you, or is there a cashflow dimension to the alternative employment)

TELLIT01

When I worked for the Civil Service you had to get permission to work a second job.  If the OP hasn't told them about the land based job, as seems likely when it's referred to as moon-lighting, they will probably be down the disciplinary route when it is discovered.

NCC1701-A

OP, can you clarify, maybe by setting out start dates and scheduled hours in both jobs, and whether you do actually have 1 or 2 employers?  because this reads like one of those MSE money moral dilemas.

I read your OP as you have been dismissed from your maritime job, and you are currently appealing that decision, if so, you are not currently employed with them.  

Your plan, should you win your appeal though is not to actually return to work but use a fit note so as to be paid by them whilst working in you current job in a factory.