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Original poster

Going on the sick on my main job, can I work my second job?

17 replies

ChloeRachel · 23/04/2015 21:36

I currently have two jobs, one is my main job which is full time, my second job is a part time weekend job.

I suffer from anxiety and depression, I'm currently going through therapy to try get over it and help me in the long term.

At my main job before I got a second job, I have already been on the sick last August for a month due to my anxiety been too bad too work.

My boss at my main job manipulates me a lot and makes me feel worthless in my role. It makes my anxiety go through the roof where I feel uncomfortable been in his presence.

My second job is great and I feel so happy, my boss is lovely and has been a family friend for years and years. He makes me feel comfortable in his presence and I feel on top of the world when I've finished my weekend shift.

My main job is causing my health and wellbeing to deteriorate, this is making me not wanting to go in. I have the worst panic attacks and I get so scared to go into work.

Could I go on the sick at my main job but still go to my second job as I love it and it is helping me with my illness, where as my main job is pushing me to breaking point where I personally feel I can't carry on anymore.

Please help I need advice.

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:

Caravanoflove · 23/04/2015 21:41

It's tricky as a 'not fit to work' note means exactly that.

Original poster

ChloeRachel · 23/04/2015 21:44

I just don't want to give my second job as it has helped me a lot, I just don't know where I stand.

OP posts:

vintagenurse · 23/04/2015 21:48

Be very careful - in my job (NHS) Im pretty sure this would be seen as gross misconduct and fraudulent

Original poster

ChloeRachel · 23/04/2015 21:52

Okay thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 23/04/2015 21:53

You're either fit for work or not. I am pretty sure you can't pick and choose which job you feel well enough to do.

I think the obvious solution is to quit your main job and look for a new one!

M1SSUNDERSTOOD · 23/04/2015 23:02

Yes you can ask for your fit note to stipulate that your weekend job is therapeutic and main job is causing the stress. However as the poster above suggested it would be better to deal with the problem and look for a new job during the week.

Akire · 23/04/2015 23:08

They are both very different jobs, its like having a broken leg when your a builder yet working sitting down at the weekend. Ones on is bad for mental health second is major stress and anxiety. Your GP could write you a sick note to avoid situations which will make you stressed at work. But it does sound like you would benefit for more long term support, which GP should be able to refer you too.

Can you support yourself on part time wage for the time being?

Original poster

ChloeRachel · 23/04/2015 23:19

I'm currently on medication and seeing a therapist. But it's early days yet, at the moment I wouldn't be able to fully support myself on my part time wage as it is couldn't keep me. That's why I was thinking about going on the sick until I feel ready to take my boss and not let him get too me as much. Because when I'm ill he gets to me so much.

OP posts:

Original poster

ChloeRachel · 23/04/2015 23:21

That's what I was hoping to do if I choose to go in the sick because I'm laying in bed now getting palpations thinking about work tomorrow.

OP posts:

AgentProvocateur · 23/04/2015 23:22

In my job, you wouldn't be allowed to work a weekend job too as, if they're both FT, you'd be contravening the working time regs. Does your main job know that you're working all weekend too?

Akire · 23/04/2015 23:26

Im sorry that is tough when you can ONY, work part time. It might be with talking to the job centre plus people or citizens advice. They are supposed to help people back off the sick and you are trying not to go of sick. Is your part time wage more that £71 a week? Will you get SSP in your main job?

If you will onl qualify for basic sock pay might be worthy just earning part time at trying to get housing benefit etc. I'm sure they are some rules about given up job but you could try and find out.

Akire · 23/04/2015 23:28

If you are that worried about work you may have to just stop the second job if the rules say you have to, while you try and sort yourself out. Could you still go in and see them just not actually be working?

PurpleShoes69 · 23/04/2015 23:38

Nothing wrong with that. Some pps clearly lack any understanding of mental health.
Akire is right. No-one would question being ok to do a desk job but not a very physical one. This is the same with mental health, but people don't get it
I would do it OP. Just make sure it's all above board. If your main job doesn't have anything in the contract about not having a second job / getting permission then it's none of their business imo.
You should get out of this job as it's so soul-destroying, but think about that when you're better. Is there any chance the 2nd job could give you more hours? But for now do lots of nice things for yourself

TheGirlFromIpanema · 24/04/2015 00:02

Yes OP you can do as you suggest.

Each employment (separate employers) is treated on it's own for the purposes of calculating statutory entitlements.

If you meet the criteria for SSP in your main job then take it and only if they contractually forbid you from second jobs (and I think even that is on shaky ground usually) would it cause you any problems.

Agent, wtd is a bit of a joke really. Anyone, at any time, can opt out. It is to protect the rights of workers not give employers the right to own their employees.

Pippi you are wrong. Sorry but I don't want your post to not be challenged for anyone reading in this situation.

Vintage- the nhs have been burnt by this issue in the past - someone working for two trusts in London iirc, anyway they won the unfair dismissal case.

Movingonmymind · 24/04/2015 18:59

Am sorry to hear about your stress, you have my sympathies. You should be signed off sick as you need it. But if you're sick, you're sick. Its playing the system to do one and mot the other. An employer who is a friend is a bonus not something one should expect. If your main job involves bullying etc, confront it, take action then plan to leave cleanly. That will be very good for your mental wellbeing.

ChaiseLounger · 24/04/2015 19:13

I know nothing about employment law, but I would imagine it is fine. One job causes stress the other doesn't. Presumably you really should think about telling someone at your main job that it's your boss that causes you so much anxiety, or even consider putting in a grievance of some sort.

Petallic · 24/04/2015 19:20

I don't know how the fitness to work certificate changes things but I know I was involved a few years ago in the disciplinary of a staff member who was off long term sick but reported by other employees as still working elsewhere whilst off sick. Because the employee was signed off with stress there was little we could do. The verdict from hr being that she may rely on other job for relieving stress etc. this was a public sector job if it makes a difference. Disciplinary for gross misconduct was successful in the end but entirely due to other issues that came to light when employee was off sick.

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