Can I get another job while still receiving the 80% pay?

[Lorddenning1]

My other half will be laid off today, he works as a groundsman, he has been told the company will do right by him and give him 80% of his pay. Can he go and apply to work in a supermarket to make up for the 20% lost wage or will getting another job cancel out the 80% pay?

I want to know the answer to this too.

I'm in a non-essential retail role. Our stores are closed but offices remain open. I wanted to get a second job to cover my shortfall in the event we run out of work to do and go to 80% pay.

It would be subject to normal second rules. So heavily taxed.

I would look into wether it's worth it or not.

@CappyCapCap surely if your only only getting 80% of your normal pay anyways, you will be either owed tax back as your not earning as much or they will reduce your tax in the next couple of months etc?

Well it depends. Business are expected to top your wages up to 100%. Doubt that will happen though.

That may not work. However, second job tax, works on having 2 jobs. It will take the earning into account.

So if he was earning 100% of his normal wage, he would pay more tax on a second job, than he would earning 80%. But second jobs are heavily taxed lots of people find in unproductive to do.

Basically, he is on pay role at 2 places. So he will be taxed as having a second job.

The fact that he is earning 20% less than usual, means he will pay slightly less tax, than if he earned 100% and had a second job.

Not sure if I have explained it well

In the short term he may be taxed to high heaven but he’ll get it back eventually

No is the quick answer...

Here's why -

Whilst I fully understand your concerns and worries, it is more than likely that your primary role has a clause in your contract stating that you cannot have a second job without consent, and should make your employer aware of that second job. Or it will state that you cannot have a second job, full stop, no ifs and buts.

If you go ahead and take a second job your primary employer WILL get to know as HMRC will have to change your tax code and will notify them. You could/would then be fired for gross misconduct from your primary role, because you have broken the terms your employment contract. If your second job is temporary and due to Corona virus creating high demand in that sphere once this is over you would have no job (I'm imagining it's a role like delivery driver/supermarket or similar).

Whilst your primary employer is paying you 80% of your salary, in exceptional circumstances, you are being retained and are obligated to be available to work for them and not work elsewhere.

Source - I'm an HR manager