Permission for second job

[Caralinda]

Hoping to get some advice. DH has been out of work since March, and struggling to get something else lined up. I work part time, and have asked about whether I can increase my hours - been told no, as although there’s enough work and staff budget available, there are some other factors going on that make it politically difficult to agree. My contract says I need permission to work for someone else as a second role - I’d like to try to fit in some freelance work on my non working days. I’ve sounded them out but not asked formally, and the reaction wasn’t positive - on principle, not because of conflict of interest fears. It feels difficult - not allowed to do more work for them , not allowed to work for others. Is there anything I could try to do apart from look for a new full time role?

”the reaction wasn’t positive - on principle, not because of conflict of interest fears.”

If there are no concerns about conflict of interests, what “principle” was the actual concern?

They don’t think people should have second jobs whilst working for them. Part time working is something many of the line managers are still trying to get their heads around, so the idea of second jobs is way out of their experience.

I'm not sure they can stop you. We have a clause in our letters to day staff need to let us know if they are working more than 48 hours combined with other jobs.

If there is no conflict of interest and working wont negatively impact you doing that role (ie make you late, to tired to work) then they have no good reason to try and stop you.

Yes, I won’t hit the working time directive limits, and conflicts of interest are fairly easy to avoid, I’m in a functional role so can work cross sector. Happy to follow their exclusions, we’ve just not even got into that conversation.

This is not contractually enforceable in this situation, its really not their business!

Doesn't mean they wont make things difficult for you if you insist they cant actually stop you.

Are you in a union?

I have known problems where people on part time contracts say 15 hours are expected to be fully flexible re their availability of working hours eg being available from 6 am to 11 pm 7 days a week to work those 15 hours and sometimes more- never having regular shifts and rotas produced only the week before and getting called in at short notice.
This makes getting a 2nd job difficult because of possible time clashes with 1st job.
Previously work contracts used to be for set hours including retail but now it seems that everyone is expected to be flexible.