Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

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:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/01/2023 08:40

What she does on her day off, having already got her work done as per her contract - in the same way you do - is none of your business.

Popetthetreehugger · 26/01/2023 08:41

How is it any of your business what she does in her free time ? Her only error was telling the vipers she works with . Why is your first thought that she will short your company? Maybe a reflection of what you would do ?

museumum · 26/01/2023 08:43

If she wants to and is working her 38/40hrs ft job plus 8hrs in a second job then that’s entirely up to her (and her family). She obviously feels it will be worth it. Lots of people study on top of a full job.

you seem to assume though that she’ll obviously be slacking off her ft job. That says a lot about your workplace culture. Is there lots of skiving off? Are people not committed? If so I don’t blame her trying to move on. I’ve never worked anywhere people did not work all their hours and more.

Original poster
allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 08:44

Ok no need to name call. I'm not going to say anything to jeopardize her position at work and she is a good friend so I was supportive of her when she told me and will continue to be so.

OP posts:
crookedhoosie · 26/01/2023 08:47

What does her contract say re 2nd jobs?

Patineur · 26/01/2023 08:51

Does she need your current employers' permission to take the second job? I suspect they won't be willing to give it.

JemimaTiggywinkles · 26/01/2023 09:01

I have 3 jobs. I work full time as a teacher, and work for the exam board, and as a self-employed tutor. My full time job doesn't suffer at all, and I would quit one / both of the others if it did - it is by far the most money and therefore is my priority. My social life suffers quite a bit though! My work are really supportive because they recognise that the extras make me better at my main job.

CiderJolly · 26/01/2023 09:15

You sound like you have a really cushy job so nothing to moan about, work-wise at least, so why are you moaning exactly? It’s pure jealousy, not a nice characteristic, especially as you call her your friend.

SomeFuckingWizardry · 26/01/2023 09:16

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.

Depending on your industry she might have a non compete clause in her contract that means this isn't allowed, but if it is then fair play to her.

Has she actually said she will do those things though, planning and prepping for the new job during her work hours at current job? Or are you just assuming?

You've said she is good at her job and she is clearly ambitious. You've also said she is a good friend, so why are you assuming the worst of her and that she will start doing "the bare minimum" at her current job? You seem to be gearing up to condemn her for something that has so far only happened in your head.

minou123 · 26/01/2023 09:18

I work compressed hours, 10 over 9 and have evey other Friday off. So every 2 weeks, i have a nice long weekend.

I swear by it, and recommend it to everyone who is in the fortunate opportunity to be able to apply.

What I do on my Friday off is entirely up to me. Just like, I have no opinion on what you do on your days off.

I admire your colleague for using her non-working day for something constructive.
I typically spend mine eating Mars bars and watching Netflix.
I might take a leaf out of your colleague book and start a 2nd job.

Aprilx · 26/01/2023 09:27

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.

Eh? You are making no sense. She works four days a week, it is up to her what she does on the fifth day (subject to any restriction clauses). I would absolutely have no issue with that at all. Nothing has stopped you from doing the same.

chillih · 26/01/2023 09:30

It's really none of your business and probably just depends whether your company will allow it. You do sound a bit jealous in your post!

I'm a solicitor and work 3 jobs. I'm a solicitor 3 days pw (since returning from mat leave) and I work 1 day pw for a university (they let me do my hours whenever suits, so I usually do 2 half days on my days off from my other job). Then I also do some ad hoc consultancy work for a regulatory body.

I took the uni job because I can work around my husband's shifts so that he can have our daughter and it's good career experience. It's also financially better for us because A) the uni job actually pays better and B) we don't need to pay for another day of childcare, which we would if I'd returned from mat leave doing 4 days in my main job. I explained this to my bosses when I asked permission to take it on and thankfully they understood.

chillih · 26/01/2023 09:32

Also - why would you have an issue with her career progression as a result of this extra role? It doesn't affect you or your own career. Would you have an issue if she was e.g. doing a course in the evenings to progress her career?

Hotcuppatea · 26/01/2023 10:00

You sound jealous to be honest.

Original poster
allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 10:04

Yes, it is envy on my part I guess.

Like I said, she's not a slacker, so I'm wrong to assume she will do her planning for her other role during work time or when wfh. The issue is with our manager I guess that there is little oversight into what we do and i know for a fact that she does non-work things in her time at work (as do I sometimes!).

I think the issue I have is the compressed hours situation whilst being able to wfh on a job where this is little accountability on what's been done hour by hour or day to day, it just makes no sense as there is no one checking if she's doing her longer hours or not.

OP posts:
AnotherSpare · 26/01/2023 10:33

There is a major conflict of interest in working for two companies within the same industry! I'm surprised the other company have made the offer, unless either she hasn't declared that she is already working or else that they plan to use her for industry info.
You probably have in your control that you need to declare to your employer if you are taking on other work outside of your main job. If I was this person's line manager I would decline the request based on grounds that it's not in the interests of her welfare to work a full time job compressed into four days, plus another job on the fifth day. I'd be arguing that her well-being will suffer.

AnotherSpare · 26/01/2023 10:37

That was meant to say "You probably have in your contract" (not control!)

WhoNeedsSleepNotISaidMyBody · 26/01/2023 10:43

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 envious of her energy level & drive frankly.

nothing to stop you asking for compressed hours.

that shade of green doesn't suit anyone!!!

Original poster
allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 10:43

her day off is mid week and the other job is 4-5 hours away, and she's expected to be back in work at 8am next morning, plus a baby who wakes up a lot, she's very ambitious, and good for her! But i don't think I could do it, her welfare is definitely an issue, but not my business is it!!

OP posts:
Original poster
allthethingsyousaid · 26/01/2023 10:46

I'm happy for her if she can manage it, and I will definitely be considering asking for compressed hours - it's a win win in my job!

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 26/01/2023 10:51

Your attitude is appalling. You say you can wfh and basically skive as its not monitored. You are now going to ask for compressed hours as in your view you can use it to your advantage to do less work. It is no wonder you can't get your head round your colleague wanting to work a second job.

You say you were supportive -
Your posts are anything but!

Icecreamistoocold · 26/01/2023 10:54

My work wouldn’t allow this. You are not allowed to “moonlight”.

FrangipaniBlue · 26/01/2023 10:56

I think the issue I have is the compressed hours situation whilst being able to wfh on a job where this is little accountability on what's been done hour by hour or day to day, it just makes no sense as there is no one checking if she's doing her longer hours or not.

Does anyone check you work your hours every day?

No different really.

FrangipaniBlue · 26/01/2023 10:57

If my employer checked on me hour by hour if be out of there quicker than you can say "here's my resignation"

restorativejustice · 26/01/2023 11:12

OP, why do you care what a colleague is doing if it doesn't impact your ability to do your job? It's absolutely none of your business!

Swipe left for the next trending thread