Can I have a "side gig" whilst working for the civil service?

[FinallyGettingARealJob]

Hello,

I was recently offered a job at the civil service. It is an officer role. I am going through the background checks now.

I have an online tutoring job that I do on the weekends. My current job has no problem with this. I am directly employed by the tutoring company, so I'm not self-employed. I pay NI etc in this job. I make a few hundred pounds a month.

Will the civil service have a problem with me doing a weekend job?

Thanks

You need to check with HR. I'd imagine it would be fine as long as no conflict of time/interest but you've got to imagine yourself in front of an unfair dismissal tribunal if they fired you for this reason. Get the response in writing so your evidence is clear.

I worked in a civil servant type role and it would have been fine but I always got permission from my manager for anything I thought might be a problem.

Will probably be fine as long as you declare it and there are no conflicts.

Be upfront and let HR and your line manager know, and make sure you check through and sign your conflicts of interest forms.

There’ll probably be a policy that it needs line manager approval, and consideration of the WTD or whatever has now replaced that. You’ll need to show that it won’t affect your ability to do your job, that you’ll get sufficient rest, you won’t use their equipment or time and of course that there’s no conflict of interest.

I have usually managed to approve my staff’s requests (bar the one who kept being off sick from her job but continuing her side hustle during what would have been her working hours)

Just let them know. Can't see a problem with it as it's not controversial. Make sure you declare your tax though.

You say 'officer' job however of really depends on which department. If in probation or prison it would be permissible so long as declared to line manager for clearance (get that confirmation in writing).

If in the home office I think I'm right in saying you can only have that employment (don't quote me on that but verify it).

Other agencies will have their own viewpoint/policy.

At the bottom of your job advert did it have a generic HR phone number? If so ring them and ask - you wouldn't even need to provide details at that stage as just ask hypothetically then approach formally with manager once in post

I am in the Civil Service and up until last summer had a second job, know quite a few colleagues who also did (I am an admin grade, not well paid unfortunately), was never an issue, no conflict of issue.

Conflict of interest even!

I'm a civil servant too. Lots of peopleshave other work they do. Just let him know,

You have to ask and get permission. Don't assume, as my contract many years ago stated no other work if you are full time. However, if you drop even a single hour, you are classed as part time and you can work whatever hours you like.
This annoyed my full time colleagues and it came up a few times as I worked two jobs back then.