Overlapping jobs??

[eclecticdreams]

I am currently on MAT leave, due back early January after 1 year off. In order to keep my enhanced MAT pay I need to return to work for 3 months but I have accrued roughly 2 months holiday. I can work for one month then take this 2 months holiday as notice if I resign (I have checked with HR, this is allowed).
I am applying for a new position and if I am successful I would want to start straight after working one month, so in effect starting a new job whilst 'on holiday' from my original post.

Can I do this? Is there anything I would need to be aware of e.g. tax.

Thanks!

[RibenaBerry]

No, you can't do this.

You cannot be on holiday from one job and working in another (unless we're talking two part time jobs, or whatever), and they will find out because your new employer will be asking for your P45.

Sorry.

[louvert]

I don't see why it would be a problem, although there will be a bit of confusion over tax codes in the early stages.

Job 1 won't officially end until - say - 1st April

And so, for two months, you'll effectively have two jobs. That's all. Perfectly normal for someone to have two jobs. Loads of people do.

I don't deal directly with payroll, but from memory I think that means that your second job may be taxed at quite a high rate. That will be quite a sting (but you'll still have salary from Job 1, so will still be able to eat / buy shoes etc).

P45 from Job 1 won't come through until after April, but that's fine - you can complete a P60 (new employer will provide), and they can use that to set you up on the system.

I do wonder whether there's a way that Job 1 payroll can say that your last two months are pay in lieu of holidays accrued but not taken - but I'm not sure about that as that would then move your leaving date to end of Jan and then possibly impact on your maternity conditions. I think. I ramble when I'm not quite certain - sorry!

[RibenaBerry]

Yes, it's common for people to have two jobs, but it's not normal for someone to have a job, from which they are on holiday, and another job for the same hours in which they are working.

If you get get caught, I think that there is a serious risk you will be made to repay your enhanced maternity.

Oh, you may also be breaching contract clauses which prohibit you from having two jobs, or prohibit you having a second job without clearing it first.

[eclecticdreams]

Thanks for the advice.

RB, I'm not worried about getting caught, I will be upfront with my employer. I have worked there >10 years but when I was pregnant relations with my line manager went downhill and I ended up moving dept (assisted by HR). The relationship has totally broken down now and I think she will be happy if I decide to leave anyway. I want to move on as I am unable to forget the stress I was put under during my pregnancy.

The new post is 2.5 days/week. I could ask to go 2.5 days in my present job on return and 'work' both for a while.

Louvert, thanks for info on P60. I can ask if they'd pay me in lieu and the impact on MAT pay conditions.

Ok, so I have some thinking to do, I just need to get the job now.

Thanks!