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Original poster

Colleague and 2nd job

52 replies

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:04

I would like a bit of perspective on this as I' probably being unreasonable to make an issue of this, but it's preying on my mind.

My colleague who came back from maternity last year, is on compressed hours, so they work 5 days in 4 days, which is all fine.
They now have been offered another role in a different organisation, similar to ours, in the same field, on a higher level, for one day a week. They want to obviously take on this role on their day off. Initally for a few months, and potential for longer if it goes well.
We can also wfh some of the time during the week with no accountability whatsoever, can leave early to continue working from home etc and we rarely have enough work to be working flat out all week. So my concern is that they will leave early and "wfh" and plan and prepare for their other role, even whilst onsite, and end up getting a full time wage from this job and also getting paid for one day a week from the other role, plus getting more experience for a senior role. Enabled by the current role being flexible and not being accountable for our work on an hour to hour basis.

I guess a feel a bit miffed, and tempted to ask my boss if I can work compressed hours and take on another job on my day off!!

our bossed hasn't been asked yet, so don't know whether it'll be allowed anyway, but my colleague is hopeful....

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Rainbowshit · 26/01/2023 08:05

Unlikely to be allowed. My contract has a clause about not working for others at the same time. I think that's pretty standard.

DelilahJane · 26/01/2023 08:06

It's nothing I do with you and gih should really mind your own business.

Shemovesshemoves21 · 26/01/2023 08:08

As long as her work is getting done, it's none of your business how she splits her time and work. By all means ask your boss for a similar arrangement, but don't seethe over an arrangement your colleague has managed to get herself because you're jealous.

silverclock222 · 26/01/2023 08:09

Well why don't you? You can't moan about something you didn't think of first !

MrsRR1 · 26/01/2023 08:10

You sound bitter and jealous,; should probably mind your own business. Especially as it hasn't actually happened yet. It may not be allowed

Twotolove · 26/01/2023 08:11

Good for her! For all you know she really needs the extra money.

Original poster

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:12

thanks for the replies, and it certainly helps to get some perspective.
I can understand why they want to do this for career progression and they are good at their job.
Our job is what you make of it....there's always potential to do more work if there is time, although there aren't any deadlines, so with this job this colleague might do the bare minimum.

OP posts:

Paq · 26/01/2023 08:13

Nothing to do with you unless her underperformance affects you.

If I was a LM I would not allow this however on welfare grounds. If she can work five days she can go back to normal working hours.

Thesystemonlydreamsintotaldarkness · 26/01/2023 08:14

Absolutely none of your business or concern

Original poster

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:14

Yes the potential resentment within the team that might be an issue.

OP posts:

Original poster

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:16

I'm interested to see that many of you wouldn't have a problem with a colleague working on another job, getting paid for it, career progression etc whilst doing their current job.

OP posts:

MajorCarolDanvers · 26/01/2023 08:16

Why don't you ask for compressed hours and take on a second job?

However what your colleague does is none of your concern. Absolutely none.

Presuming your employer has no clauses in contracts to prevent this and she gets her current work done then her won't have concerns either.

So crack in and find your second job.

Original poster

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:18

yes, I might actually go down that route. Especially as I wouldn't have to do a full compressed day anyway as we can do whatever we like so it's not even a long day. If this is approved, I will ask my manager.

OP posts:

MajorCarolDanvers · 26/01/2023 08:19

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:16

I'm interested to see that many of you wouldn't have a problem with a colleague working on another job, getting paid for it, career progression etc whilst doing their current job.

Portfolio careers are pretty common. I have quite a few colleagues with 2/3 jobs.

FUEWC · 26/01/2023 08:20

I had a colleague who did similar and the resentment in the team was deep. But unlike your role, we all had too much work. It was our spineless bosses’ fault for allowing it.

RidingMyBike · 26/01/2023 08:21

Is there anything in your contract to prevent it? Ours has a clause about not having another job without seeking permission (also to ensure no conflict of interest) and that time at work is meant to be used in the best interests of the company. They don't deny permission unreasonably (several part-time people on lower salaries have other jobs).

Also, welfare. Compressed hours presumably means longer days? An extra day plus compressed hours at my work would take someone up to more than 42 hours a week?

Bigweekend · 26/01/2023 08:22

When I was struggling over something that wasn't fair once a very wise person said how does this affect you? If she does or doesn't do this job makes absolutely no difference to your life.

Mindymomo · 26/01/2023 08:22

I think it depends on whether she was given a 4 day week to help with childcare and she is needed 5 days to fulfil her job. If they completely changed her contract to 4 days and there is no clause in her working somewhere else, then I see no problem. If you want the same for yourself, it’s down to you to ask. There is always going to be a grey area with people wfh and what they actually do the whole time, but if the firm is happy with what is achieved there doesn’t have to be an issue.

JamSandle · 26/01/2023 08:22

Why shouldn't she if she can?

mamabeeboo · 26/01/2023 08:27

I'm quite miffed when corporate jobs say you should not work for anyone else, when i know people who work 2 or 3 different jobs to make ends meet due to the low pay (supermarkets, cleaning etc).

More power to your colleague for finding a way to get more money and experience during the cost of living crisis.

Realistically, can the company dictate what you do on your day off? Unless the company is a competitor, i see no problem.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 26/01/2023 08:29

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:16

I'm interested to see that many of you wouldn't have a problem with a colleague working on another job, getting paid for it, career progression etc whilst doing their current job.

I’d be galvanised and inspired by their ambition.

GoldilockMom · 26/01/2023 08:31

If it’s a competitor they won’t be able to do this. They’ll be clauses in the contracts.

They are allowed professions in a differ t field.

Let us know of the bosses agree!

bluebird3 · 26/01/2023 08:34

I can see why your current employer would say no but they should really be ensuring people have enough work to fill their time, or employ less people.

Would you have a problem with it if she wasn't on compressed hours? If she was working all week and then working a Saturday as well? Because that's basically what she is doing. If her full time job is letting her work flexibly and from home then it's not really that unusual to make the most of it. If other people are done with their allotted work early do they really go 'wfh' to actually do extra work or do they go home to relax and have extra time since they've completed their work?

Original poster

allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:36

Ok seems like I'm unreasonable to be bothered by this, thanks for the replies.
I guess because it's not common in our industry to have a second job, it's not the norm and I was surprised by this. But I guess who knows what others do on their days off.
I would have much less of a problem with this if she officially worked 4 days a week part time. As it is she works 4 days a week, don't have to work long days to make up the time I'd she feels like it.

OP posts:

Justalittlebitduckling · 26/01/2023 08:40

That’s peak capitalism right there: squeezing your full time job into four days to work more than a full time job, when you’ve just come back from maternity leave. That’s the world we live in., though, and if she can make it work for her then she’s being smart. Personally I’d rather take the day off.

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