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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is work being too nosey?

98 replies

stressystressed · 16/01/2023 17:04

I work for an organisation that is within a county council.
Many of us work part time.
We have been told we have to submit a "Conflict of Interest" form for any similar work we do outside of our county council job.
So imagine…you are a sports teacher, and go round different schools teaching PE lessons. You are employed by the county council education team part time, and also on a self employed basis to private schools.
To me, it feels too nosey. Why should I have to tell the county council what I do when I'm not working for them? Or AIBU?

OP posts:
AffIt · 16/01/2023 19:24

@Divebar2021

You don’t have an Only Fans account do you OP?

That's exactly what I was thinking... 😄

Ragwort · 16/01/2023 19:27

Perfectly normal .. I work in charity retail and we asked a similar question, it's looking at whether we would 'cream off' donations and sell them privately for our own profit.

Nat6999 · 16/01/2023 19:28

When I worked for HMRC one person got a Saturday job at Next, he couldn't start until HMRC had given him written permission.

eurochick · 16/01/2023 20:43

Very normal in the private sector too, as others have stated. Even volunteer roles and things like school governorships often have to be declared to avoid conflicts of interest, not just second jobs.

ILookRidiculous · 16/01/2023 20:59

I worked in a private organisation and we were all supposed to get permission for a second job.

This isn't that rare. Your employer doesn't want you working somewhere else evenings and weekend me and you are then too tired to do your day job properly well.

They didn't say no to the odd night working in a pub.

Original poster
stressystressed · 16/01/2023 21:21

So this is normal even if you work a few hours a week for the council?

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 16/01/2023 21:32

stressystressed · 16/01/2023 21:21

So this is normal even if you work a few hours a week for the council?

Completely normal and a legal requirement

Tilllly · 16/01/2023 21:33

Yes, the hours aren't relevant
It's the fact you work for them

I have to do it every year - even for teaching Sunday school

It's protection for them but also you in some ways

Honestly, it's nothing to worry about

Fleabigg · 16/01/2023 21:34

It’s totally standard. I’m surprised you’re surprised. Certainly isn’t “nosy”.

Nimbostratus100 · 16/01/2023 21:35

All the upset and allegations and accounts of various members of the government for "cronieism" just goes to show the chaos and corruption that can ensue if such rules are suspended

Comefromaway · 16/01/2023 21:37

Whilst I can sort of understand this my dh was a peripatetic teacher for the county music service. He’d have not been very pleased at having to give details of all his private teaching or the Saturday school he worked for.

Eyerollcentral · 16/01/2023 21:37

Fgs @stressystressed don’t be so ridiculous. It might not be directly applicable to your level of job but surely you can see how the council not knowing about other work you are doing. What if someone is working a couple of shifts in a pub and their license is up for renewal? It’s completely standard and I’m glad to see it being enforced

Eyerollcentral · 16/01/2023 21:38

Comefromaway · 16/01/2023 21:37

Whilst I can sort of understand this my dh was a peripatetic teacher for the county music service. He’d have not been very pleased at having to give details of all his private teaching or the Saturday school he worked for.

What kind of conflict of interest could that possibly give rise to? It’s not in any way comparable

Comefromaway · 16/01/2023 21:39

It’s the exact same scenario as the OP gave, just substitute sport for music.

Fleabigg · 16/01/2023 21:40

Comefromaway · 16/01/2023 21:37

Whilst I can sort of understand this my dh was a peripatetic teacher for the county music service. He’d have not been very pleased at having to give details of all his private teaching or the Saturday school he worked for.

Why so displeased? He’d only have to fill in the form to say, for example - private teaching to private clients, Saturday teaching at X school. It’s not secret or shameful.

Comefromaway · 16/01/2023 21:41

So Dh worked 3 days for the county music service, 1 day direct for a different school and two days for a private performing arts organisation.

Eyerollcentral · 16/01/2023 22:20

@Comefromaway the council controls a range of services and has money to spend. A conflict of interest matters there. What in god’s name could be a conflict of interest for your husband????

HappyAsASandboy · 17/01/2023 07:57

They're not asking to be nosey. The local council don't care what you do outside of work as long as it doesn't impact them. They just have to cover their backs legally.

If you think your direct line managers are nosey and don't want them to know what you do outside of work, you can submit the form directly to HR and request that immediate management aren't informed unless necessary.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 17/01/2023 08:00

I’d be questioning any organisation in 2023 that doesn’t have this set in place, it’s mandatory for most public sectors.

ImBlueDab · 17/01/2023 08:16

Sounds completely normal. I don't work in the public sector, but do have to inform my employer if I take a PT job, in case there's a conflict of interest

Enko · 17/01/2023 08:22

When I applied for a job at a supermarket I had to disclose if I worked for any of their rival's

Pretty normal imo.

AnyRandomName · 17/01/2023 08:25

Totally normal.

I'm in the private sector and have to disclose any directorships or positions of significant control in any other businesses.

Whatthediddlyfeck · 17/01/2023 08:29

Conkersinautumn · 16/01/2023 17:48

This was usual back in 2004 when I started a council role.

And 1991 when I started

Whosthebestbabainalltheworld · 17/01/2023 08:34

I work for a similar org. Have just competed my annual conflict of interest declaration that covers all activities and business for me, my husband, children and parents.

chuckling at your “nosey” 🤣

monitor1 · 17/01/2023 08:46

This is completely normal in healthcare and they should ask about your spouse too. If I was on the committee approving some tenders to provide a service and the winning bid was a company my spouse owned, that's a bit MP-like behaviour.

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