AIBU or is my (primary) job?

[BadabingBadaboom]

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

[BoomBoomsCousin]

YANBU.

Is it one individual who's got the hump over it? If so they may just have always worked places that did have such contracts before and haven't really clocked that not all work places are the same. Could you ask whoever has called the meeting to clarify its purpose? A small email exchange asking, for instances, which clause of your contract you've broken might get them thinking a bit harder about their own assumptions. It depends on your company and the people involved of course, but I would be wary about walking into what sounds like an informal disciplinary.

[Humansatnav]

European working hours directive? If it takes you over 48 hours work time per week you have to sign a waver, IIRC

[BadabingBadaboom]

It's one of the owners and one of the other managers that don't seem to be happy. The other owner doesn't mind at all and actually text a congratulations on the new job message. I'll find out today I guess.

Thanks for the advice. If it's just a chat between the owner and myself I'll go ahead with it, if the other manager is brought in i will be requesting the meeting is postponed and make sure I'm accompanied.

[BadabingBadaboom]

Humansatnav as I said in a previous post that is the case which they are aware of

[BadabingBadaboom]

Isn't*

[redexpat]

How did it go today?

[AdmitYouKnowImRight]

Depends what it is.

I used to work in an office environment, I took on a PT job barmaiding, I got assaulted and was cut badly. It affected my ability to do my primary job.

Conversely, a TA has a second w/end job as a receptionist in a private hospital. Ceiling collapsed and injured her.

Go figure.

[BadabingBadaboom]

Nothing was said :-S

[BoomBoomsCousin]

Bizarre Bada. Does it seem like it's blown over now (maybe someone pointed out there is nothing they can do) or do you think, one way or another, your card is marked there?

[BadabingBadaboom]

I don't know. Will see if anything is said next time I'm in

[BoomBoomsCousin]

Frustrating to leave you in limbo, but glad they aren't definitely acting badly. Good luck.

[Staywithme]

Hopefully they've realised that they might shoot themselves in the foot by having a go at you. They might think you could tell them you're leaving to do the other job because of their attitude.

[Balaboosta]

Sorry - I think you should have been more open with them from the outset.
For now, try to get to the bottom of their concerns. If you are much-valued and long-serving the motivation might be weirdly emotional iyswim. The idea might just sit badly with them. Or they might be concerned that you are taking on too much?

[Balaboosta]

Fwiw I know a woman who moved to another country without telling her work, assuming she could just carry on working "from home". Saw no reason to tell her employer (university). Obvs they fired her. She hadn't understood that they could not enforce work contract of someone working in another country!

[BadabingBadaboom]

I don't know how I could have been more open. I told them at the first possibly opportunity. I didn't apply for the job I was approached and it was outwith the days I work.

I came in today to a really arsey email so meeting this afternoon

[MammaTJ]

Good luck!

[Aridane]

I suppose that if your contract / staff handbook doesn't prohibit moonlighthing, then your employer's real concern could be (i) if your 2nd job adversely impacts your current job (eg if you're excessively tired), (ii) you go over the hours prescribed by Working Time Regulations, (iii) you're working for a competitor.

Or they just think you 'should' as a matter of courtesy told them...

[BadabingBadaboom]

I did tell them they didn't just randomly find out, it came from me. And as I've said many times the new job doesn't impact my existing one in any way shape or form.

[var123]

If its not too late, I'd send an email confirming that you are attending the meeting at their request, but somehow working into the email that you know they wish to talk about your other job and you'll be happy to answer any reasonable query they may have.

I.e. Get it in writing to protect yourself in case later they allege you knew it would be a disciplinary meeting.

[BadabingBadaboom]

Another day done and nada. I suspect they want me to approach them about it as they possibly aren't strictly allowed to approach me. And the stand off continues...

[Tiptops]

That is so unprofessional of them OP. They shouldn't be messing you around like this. I would be tempted to call them on it, by email so you have a written record.

[var123]

Email is definitely the way to go. Confirm your surprise that your 2nd job has caused any issue, your ongoing willingness to clarify any queries they may have, your disappointment that the meeting today did not go ahead as scheduled and your availability for a future meeting, of which you'd be grateful of some reasonable notice.

If they do not reply, contradicting anything you write, then what you have written becomes the only truth, in the event of things turning nasty. If they do reply, then you might gain insight into what the problem is, which you can then go on to resolve.

Sending an email won't make it worse, but it may help to make things better, or at least protect you in case there are currently undisclosed plans to make things even worse for you.

[redexpat]

What var said!

[BadabingBadaboom]

I will draft an email tonight