Can I do a second job whilst off sick from NHS role?

[SecondJob]

I'm currently off sick fairly long term as undergoing chemotherapy. I have the opportunity to do freelance creative work at home with something I would actively enjoy and find relaxing- think Calligraphy, for example. Would be an hour or two a week max probably and I would be able to decide how much I did.

Is this a bit dodgy? I'm a registered HCP and have every intention of returning to work once I'm in remission and well enough. Obviously can't be at work at present due to immunosuppression and side effects.

I don't want to stick my head above the parapet by asking my manager! If anyone has any insight I'd be very grateful, thank you.

In our Trust it's absolutely not allowed.
If you we're doing it for free or as a hobby then you'd be fine but paid work while off sick is a disciplinary.

I think it would a be a big no.

Just ask.

I would not do this without checking my main employer was ok. I can see why the two roles are different but you would risk your main income for an hour a week? Don't do it.

You can if the work is different to your usual role, and you wouldn't be doing the same sort of activity as your nhs job. So for example if you was a nurse and went off sick saying that you had injured your back, you shouldnt be doing bank nursing at a different trust, especially in the same working hours as your usual job.

I would definitely get it approved by your line manager/HR in writing tho, as someone is bound to find out and try to give you grief for it.

It used to be a big no-no but case law has changed now (I used to investigate cases of working while sick in the NHS). In some situations doing something like you propose could be argued as helpful to your recovery, keeping your mind active etc.

All the best for your recovery!

No, that's would be fraud and you could be prosecuted, it's a standard question in NHS counter fraud training.

You need to check this with HR - your Board/Trust will have a policy that will confirm one way or another.

Case law we work to here

Perry vs Imperial

You should give your main employer the opportunity to give you work to do from home in the first instance, so definitely best to speak to them.

That would be frowned upon at my trust.

Won’t be allowed in my trust, technically fraud.

It totally is not allowed I work in the nhs. Depends if you want to tell them about it or not. I certainly wouldn't.

Not in our trust on our return to work form you have to sign to say you haven't done any other paid work whilst you have been off sick. I would check your policy.

Trust's will have policies to prevent and deter working while sick, mainly to stop HCPs and HCAs doing bank work elsewhere, when not genuinely sick, however each case is taken on its own merit, and while it used to automatically be considered fraud, its very different now.

@DeltaAlphaDelta79 knows what they’re talking about 👍

No. It's not allowed.

Thank you. I spent a few years as a fraud investigator in the NHS until very recently.

You absolutely can't get paid for it no. You could do it as a hobby though, develop your craft, maybe plan to make some money from it when you're back at work.

Thanks everyone, sounds like a no but I might have a look at Trust policy on the intranet and ask a manager out of interest. Absolutely would not want to jeopardise my clinical role which I love.

Unfortunately symptoms can be so up and down from one day to the next I couldn't reliably commit to working from home.

Delta, are you allowed to work self -employed whilst on mat leave. I know of a collegue who has just gone on Mat leave with NHS and is planning to do aesthetics ( botox etc) on a self -employed basis. On the run up to her mat leave she was attendung various courses.

In my Trust this would be breaking the Secondary Employment policy, if you don't first seek permission.

Ive given a formal warning for this before (though that case also had IP issues and was the same type of work).

Not allowed but could be done as a hobby for no payment.

If it would help uou and you are too unwell to fulfil your contractual duties I think it's reasonable to ask your emoyer if they are happy for you to do this. I think I'd offer to donate the earnings to them.as you are in receipt of full.pay. situation may well be different if you reduce to half and then nil pay.

If you don't tell them they will find out if you declare the earnings as your tax code will change so not worth the risk.

I hope you feel better soon.

@Anu75 - no. Mat leave ceases with any return to paid work except for a genuine kit day.

I would definitely talk to them about it (or offer services to local charities for free or something.

no you can’t do paid work while on paid sick leave from your job,