To have 3 jobs? Ethical dilemma... (long, sorry)

[milkjetmum]

So, I have DD1 and DD2 and am sole earner. Currently on mat leave with DD2, due back at work in November.

My main job (job A) is a fixed term contract, which ends in 5 months time. Receiving statutory mat pay. Job A boss a close friend, fully supportive of my career ambitions.

During mat leave I have done some part time work on a self-employed basis (job B). This has kept money ticking over and meant I could stay home on mat leave longer than I would have been able to otherwise. And being self-employed during mat leave is all above board and boss at job A aware.

Job B dried up now, might be more in future, bit uncertain.

Have been trying (and failing) to get a permanent job. Need a certain skill, but caught in the catch-22 of needing the job to get the skill and the skill to get the job. Many applications, many interviews, much heartbreak.

Saw job C advertised - would give me the skill (hooray!), is another short term contract (3 months, someone else's short mat leave), starting in Oct. Went to inteview with low expectations, but only got the blinking job - yipee!

But job C is a shorter contract than job A. Cue agonising over risk of taking shorter contract. Managed to negotiate taking job C on 0.8FTE, so I could continue to do job A one day per week, then return to job A full time when job C finished. Boss at job A not delighted, but wiling.

So, my dilemma is: am I beyond brass-necked to do job C while on my accured annual leave from job A? Obviously best decision financially, I am legally allowed to do this (I think), but am I just taking the piss? Do I tell HR at job A I am doing this? Or just do it with boss at Job A's consent?

Have totally lost perspective - need advice, don't want to be unreasonable to boss A (might be too late...)

Nah it's fine to work a different job in your annual leave from the first. I do it all the time and my employees do too. So long as your manager A is ok about it and you don't dick them around then it is fine!! And in no way immoral.

Your annual leave is yours to do with as you will. If that's sitting watching Judge Rinder all day, running marathons, volunteering at a donkey sanctuary or working as a high class call girl it's still your time!

Oh gosh yes I have done this, had 3 or 4 jobs on the go at one time!! Just take the holiday, no need to tell manager what you are doing when you are on holiday it is none of their business.

Good luck!

Do it - you have to look out for yourself.

Yeah boss A isn't thrilled, but she's supportive and willing to let you do it, presumably as she is unable to offer you an extension of your contract or the opportunity to get the skill you need to progress.

Job C sounds like your best opportunity in the short term to gain the skill you need to further your career.

Thanks all, very reassuring! It was starting to be a very tangled web and I was worried I had lost sight of the right thing to do

Depends on your first job, eg in my current and last job I had to declare other interests and any other work has to be passed by my manager for approval as to avoid conflict of interests - am in risk/control/compliance in finance.

another way of looking at it is that the skills you learn from job c can be used in job a, try that one as a softener!

Check your contracts for both jobs - it's in mine that I can't have another job without employer's approval. You may be ok because manager in job A doesn't mind, but you may need to run it by HR too. And you should check if job C has it in their contract and ensure they're happy.

But if there's nothing in your contracts about having other jobs then I agree, you can do what you like in your own time so no problem!