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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is my (primary) job?

49 replies

BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 13:01

I have recently agreed to take on a second job. I didn't discuss this with my existing work as their was no conflict of interest. The new hours would never impact upon my existing job.
didid not seek permission from the bit

OP posts:
Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 13:03

Sorry God knows what happened there... My work are not happy I did not seek permission from them even though nothing in my contract States that I should. They now want a meeting. Have I been unreasonable in any way?

OP posts:
TheMaddHugger · 29/09/2014 13:05

I cant think of a reason. You didnt sign an exclusive jobs type thingy ?

SaucyJack · 29/09/2014 13:07

Do you work for the police or fire brigade or equiv. in your first job?

Laquitar · 29/09/2014 13:08

Will they keep all your tax allowance, i guess they do?

Does the contract say that you must be available for emergency cover?

YANBU but unfortutely employers ask for the moon right now:-(

I hope it all works well for you.

Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 13:09

No, I'm not allowed to work for a company in the same industry which I have told them it isn't.

OP posts:
magpiegin · 29/09/2014 13:10

I think in my NHS contract it says I must inform them if I get a second job. Does it say that in yours?

bearhug · 29/09/2014 13:10

I think this may be to do with the max working hours directive. As I understand it, if you have 2 jobs, both employers will be responsible for making sure you don't go over the permitted hours. This means they need to know what hours you are doing elswhere.

Patilla · 29/09/2014 13:11

Is it worth asking to bring a trusted colleague/friend in with you to take any notes if you're really concerned?

Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 13:12

Nope nothing like that. I work in an office.

Nothing regarding emergency cover. I work part time for them and this is a part time position on completely different days and not evenings before a day shift.

OP posts:
Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 13:15

No, I wrote the company handbook and contracts and know categorically there is nothing within either which states I have to make my existing employers aware. Obviously I have done anyway but wasn't expecting there to be an issue

OP posts:
Ludways · 29/09/2014 13:15

I've worked at the same place 20 years and it's been in my contract since I joined, that I'd have to tell them if I got a second job. It doesn't mean they necessarily get a choice of whether I can do the second job or not, but they do need to know.

Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 13:17

As I've said Ludways there is no clause in my contract. I was never intending to keep it a secret but wasn't expecting an issue either

OP posts:
Primaryteach87 · 29/09/2014 13:19

On the plus side...is it possible they had earmarked you for more hours?

manchestermummy · 29/09/2014 13:34

I've always had that clause too (in HE). I did have a second, freelance job for a while in a very much related field with one of the major HE funders. I signed a declaration of no conflict of interest, no problems at all.

Stealthpolarbear · 29/09/2014 13:37

Op says in her second post that there is nothing in her contract about it!

whois · 29/09/2014 13:58

RTFT people, nothing in contract or handbook to say she has to inform them!

Work are being U, but can't do anything really if there is no clause in your contract.

Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 17:53

Primaryteach - no I was meant to have an increase of hours but working from home and they pulled out last minute and employed someone to be in the office instead.

Tbh the way it's coming across is that they are pissed off I didn't ask permission before accepting the job but the way I see it it's actually none of their business. I told them out of respect and the fact that it would come up in general conversation but I most certainly didn't feel obliged to tell them for any other reason than mentioned above let alone ask permission.

OP posts:
creampie · 29/09/2014 18:10

I work part time. I know my employers would be annoyed if I took a second part time job rather than going full time in this one. It's quite a hassle for them to have part time staff and they allow us to do it on the informal understanding that we are unable to do full time hours for some reason. There wouldn't be much they could officially do to stop me, but they wouldn't like it.

Perhaps your employers feel the same?

daisydee43 · 29/09/2014 18:11

how did they find out? as long as job not similar to your current one then its ok. bring up acas or citizens advice at meeting

ChillySundays · 29/09/2014 20:44

My contract says I must obtain permission but if yours doesn't then I am not sure how they can say anything

redexpat · 29/09/2014 21:21

Are you in a union? If so get the rep to come to your meeying. If not call PALS. You have no idea how this will go, so you need to be on the defensive. Take notes during the meeting. Make sure you get a copy of the minutes. Make sure any communication regarding this is written so there is a paper trail should things turn nasty. I dont want to frighten you, but i have read so many threads on mn about people being totally screwed over by their employer.

Or it might be, as others have said that they are checking the hours.

Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 21:45

I don't think they would turn nasty. For one I know too much about a few dodgy dealings that have gone on (nothing to do with me I hasten to add).

I will take notes though. Doesn't hurt to keep my own records.

OP posts:
ABowlofPetunias · 29/09/2014 21:50

As PP have said, there is a maximum working hours directive that employers must abide by. If you were working more hours than is legal, they would be held responsible.

Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 22:29

I work part time so this is definitely not an issue and the know it won't be as they are aware of the times I will be working

OP posts:
Original poster
BadabingBadaboom · 29/09/2014 22:35

As I have previously posted the issue doesn't seem to be the fact that I have another job as such just that they think I should have asked their permission and I don't think I should have. There is nothing in my contract to state that I have to do this. There is no conflict of interest and there is nothing that will interfere with my current employment.

I was never intending to hide the fact I had another job and in fact the opportunity only arose within the period since I was last at work so couldn't have mentioned it anyway.

I have no problem with discussing my new role within reason but I will not be willing to divulge certain aspects because it is confidential.

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