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Original poster

What type of job could my DH do?

61 replies

adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 10:15

My DH is hoping to switch jobs because his current one is quite inflexible. A neighbour has offered to take him as a subcontractor, but he wouldn't get any guaranteed hours. What options would he have to top up his income when needed? Apart from being a general handyman there's not much more he could do self employed.

OP posts:
whatdoidonowffs · 30/05/2023 13:08

HGV Driver ? Good money and varied jobs

OhComeOnFFS · 30/05/2023 13:21

He's not going to make a success out of self employment so I would steer him away from that. He doesn't like learning new things - that on its own guarantees his business will fail. He's not a self-starter as you are trying to figure things out for him. I really wouldn't want him to go down that route.

He's only mid-40s - he really needs to get a grip and realise that if he doesn't have any desire to do anything in particular, he's stuck with what's left.

Was he regularly taking sick leave at work?

MrsMoastyToasty · 30/05/2023 13:29

Is he physically fit? Warehouse work, even with conveyor belts, is physically demanding unless he's trained to use a fork lift truck. My DH is a Warehouse manager for one of the supermarkets and is knackered when he pitches in with loading or unloading lorries.

How about gardening? Tour guide? Bus driver?

SquishyGloopyBum · 30/05/2023 13:29

I think the sick leave/unpaid leave is illegal op.

But, he needs to find the motivation to enact change.

There are lots of jobs. BT open reach could be good if he's practical. Loads that offer training.

sashh · 30/05/2023 13:38

Cleaning ovens? The last person I had to clean the oven was an ex prison officer.

Bar work.

If you are near Birmingham National Express are always looking for people for their call centre, they work 24/ 7 so you can pick shifts.

Carer, not well paid but can fit around other things.

Food delivery for just eat.

Cab driver.

lljkk · 30/05/2023 13:40

Could he do a maintenance type role, for a school or a big institution/facility? Any love for gardening, grounds-keeping?

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 14:01

Yes, he'd like to do general maintenance for a school, but there aren't that many openings around. He can drive, but he got a driving ban a few years ago (he's got a driver's license now). Ultimately we'd want something to top up that subcontractor role the neighbour has offered. In an ideal world we'd like him to be able to take on shifts as needed, but drop them too in case I have to leave for work.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 30/05/2023 14:22

I read the other day that BT Openreach were planning thousands of redundancies because the installation work is nearing completion so that sounds like a non starter.

Edmontine · 30/05/2023 14:25

If he becomes a subcontractor, who will pay for his:

insurance
tax
pension contributions
sick leave

He needs to make sure your neighbour’s offer is completely legal, and that he himself is completely covered in case of accident to himself or anyone else.

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 14:29

We know that the neighbour's liability insurance would cover him. The rest would have to be covered by his income (like any other sub employed person).

OP posts:
FredaFox · 30/05/2023 14:31

adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 14:01

Yes, he'd like to do general maintenance for a school, but there aren't that many openings around. He can drive, but he got a driving ban a few years ago (he's got a driver's license now). Ultimately we'd want something to top up that subcontractor role the neighbour has offered. In an ideal world we'd like him to be able to take on shifts as needed, but drop them too in case I have to leave for work.

It all sounds very inflexible for potential employers

Why can't he just get 1 decent paid job than 2?
Not sure if the rules with his driving ban but my mum gets Tesco home delivery and the drivers are always great, often retired police or firemen
What about Taxi driver? He can work whenever he likes?
My neighbour works in facilities in a large school, he's a trained joiner. All his colleagues have trades so i can't see schools taking on unqualified. My neighbour saved the school money by being qualified so they no longer have to pay for trained people to do certain tasks now they recruit experience

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 14:37

We don't even need to be a decent job, just flexible! The plan is for him to go PT, around 30 hours, but not necessarily around nursery runs (although that would be ideal, as it would cover when I have to go away for work).

We've always said he'd go part time after this summer, so our 3yo can have a more "relaxed" year before going to reception (as opposed to being in nursery for 50hours a week)

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 30/05/2023 14:38

Tbh, he doesn't still sound suited to either casual work or self employment - he needs a strong drive to seek out customers and maintain a client base.

Does he need sympathy or a kick up the arsenal? Is he being lazy or genuinely downbeat at the moment?

Have a look on the local council's schools jobs websites if he wants that kind of work. He'll need to declare prior convictions though for a school and a previous driving ban could affect his eligibility (depending on what it was for and when). Lots of driving jobs like Tesco won't employ you if you have ever had a drink driving conviction, others will want it to be time barred before they'll consider you.

If he has no tickets, he might qualify for free training - worth a look at HGV qualifications (although check out if he's employable first), forklift truck operator etc.

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 14:44

PinkFootstool · 30/05/2023 14:38

Tbh, he doesn't still sound suited to either casual work or self employment - he needs a strong drive to seek out customers and maintain a client base.

Does he need sympathy or a kick up the arsenal? Is he being lazy or genuinely downbeat at the moment?

Have a look on the local council's schools jobs websites if he wants that kind of work. He'll need to declare prior convictions though for a school and a previous driving ban could affect his eligibility (depending on what it was for and when). Lots of driving jobs like Tesco won't employ you if you have ever had a drink driving conviction, others will want it to be time barred before they'll consider you.

If he has no tickets, he might qualify for free training - worth a look at HGV qualifications (although check out if he's employable first), forklift truck operator etc.

It's a funny one (as I think it's a mix of both) - he enjoys "working" but he know he'll never get far, because he doesn't want to do what it takes to ge there (at least in retail), and that makes him feel down.

He's never had a ticket, just that 18month drink driving ban from a few years ago.

OP posts:
Christmascracker0 · 30/05/2023 14:46

I was going to suggest bus driver, although not sure it offers much flexibility.

PinkFootstool · 30/05/2023 15:01

Sorry, by tickets I meant qualifications or licences to operate equipment like fork lifts, telehandlers, excavators etc.

His DD conviction might be problematic with some employers.

ToHellBackAndBeyond · 30/05/2023 15:05

What about working for a housing association as a handyman? Or for the council in estate management (grass cutting etc)?
If he's good at maintenance then maybe a landlord/lettings agent would take him on?

GoodChat · 30/05/2023 15:09

adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 14:01

Yes, he'd like to do general maintenance for a school, but there aren't that many openings around. He can drive, but he got a driving ban a few years ago (he's got a driver's license now). Ultimately we'd want something to top up that subcontractor role the neighbour has offered. In an ideal world we'd like him to be able to take on shifts as needed, but drop them too in case I have to leave for work.

He's going to find it nigh on impossible to get a job where he can pick and drop shifts as and when he pleases - and if he's a subcontractor he cant just drop clients last minute.

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 15:11

The subcontractor role fits around nursery, so that obe is OK (he wouldn't have to cancel if I go away for a few days).

OP posts:
iklboo · 30/05/2023 15:38

Driving Instructor.

Not only does it take months to qualify, it also costs quite a chunk of money to train. Then you have the exam fees for the three tests you have to pass.

Depending on what the driving ban was for and when it might also be a hindrance - you can't be an instructor if you've been banned in the last four years, definitely can't if the ban was for driving without insurance or a DUI.

(I know OP posted about the ban after this comment but it's an important point).

allthewoes · 30/05/2023 15:47

Has he looked at indeed flex? It's usually warehouse/supermarket work but it's exactly what you've mentioned: picking up shifts as and when required. My DS did it and used to enjoy the late night shelf stacking as he could put his earphones in and get on with it, hardly any customers around.

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 30/05/2023 15:58

I have looked into indeed flex , but there are no jobs available in our area

OP posts:
karaDanvers · 30/05/2023 16:03

Maybe an Uber driver. From what I'm told it's a good way to supplement your income and you work to your own hours.

Motnight · 30/05/2023 16:09

He has 20 years to go before he retires. That is a long time. He should be thinking about how to maximise his earning potential in a job that he has enthusiasm for.

Any self employment means that you have to push yourself - to get and keep clients, to stick to deadlines, to get paid etc. Is he that sort of person?

CC4712 · 30/05/2023 16:15

Chauffeur (although I don't know what driving history/bans would prevent this)

A fashion designer friend re trained in his 50's to become an electrician- would he consider training in a trade?

Folk lift driver

Fencer (garden fences, not the sport 😀)

I saw a programme about a guy that blinged up things with I think diamantes. Phone covers, shoes, steering wheels etc. Another guy covered things in gold plate. No idea what this is called, or costs etc though.

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