How To Ask Permission For 2nd Job

[Charliesunnysky10]

I'm struggling financially (like many), and after my annual pay review last month (which was a 2.5% increase, effectively another pay cut), I asked for another 1% pay rise but my employer can't afford it because they tendered for this contract by undercutting massively so there's no budget for it. I don't want to leave this daytime job, as I like the people I work with, its right round the corner from where I live, I and can do the job well. My children are in their teens, and I find I have spare time in the evenings so I looked for a part time evening/weekend job. Today I was offered a job at a hotel which is also walking distance and is only 16 hrs p/w. The extra income will be very welcome. It's 4 evenings 6-10pm, and ideally I'd like to finish my day job 30 mins early so I can pop home, get changed and arrive in good time. I wanted to ask permission firstly to take on secondary employment and for the earlier finish (I'd ensure all my tasks are complete). I don't know whether to mention that it's the low pay that prompted me to find the job so they'll hopefully be more receptive to letting me finish earlier without a pay cut , or if it sounds a bit pathetic?

I think you just speak to your manager, I wouldn't mention the small payrise they know already you wanted/needed more. You just say COL etc I need to earn extra and I've been offered a job at a hotel. I would be surprised if they let you change your hours to accommodate it though.

I don’t see that the evening job in itself would be an issue but finishing your main job early to do it might not go down well

Do you mean you’d take a pay cut to accommodate the 30 mins a day? My pay review was only 2%, so I feel your pain. We definitely couldn’t lose 30 mins a day, though. How long is your lunch break? If it’s a hour, cutting it to 30 mins might be doable, and then leaving early.

How many hours do you already work? If part time, then possibly, but if you are already working a 38hr week, then want to add an extra 16hrs- I doubt they'd agree.

If I was your employer, my worries would be you'd come in too tired to do the regular job, lack of proper rest between shifts plus the leaving early might leave me short in the afternoons.

@CC4712 I currently work 9-4.30 with a 30 min unpaid lunch break. It didn't occur to me they'd say no because I deal with my workload promptly and am never late.

I'd be upset if they did refuse permission. If I left they'd never get anyone with 30 years experience - It's barely brushing minimum wage. I stay because I enjoy working here and the people are lovely but my food and fuel bills mean I've nothing left each month and worried about other bills and costs.

@Verylongtime My unpaid lunch is 30 mins, and I wanted to stay on the same money but work 30 mins less, in lieu of the pay being low for the role. But I think I'd be better to ask for this a few months in when I've proven I can cover both jobs efficiently.

But if you cut your hours by 2.5 hours a week and expect the same pay, that’s a 7% cut in working hours, equivalent to a 7% pay rise, on top of the 2.5%, a total 9.5% pay rise. (2.5/35 x 100, if my maths is right.) You can see why they won’t accept it. Can you offer to start half an hour earlier and leave half an hour earlier?

@Verylongtime I think I'll have to, to start with. I'm seriously worried they'll say so anyway, never mind me wanting an effective pay rise by me cutting my hrs! I'll tackle it one step at a time, I think!

Actually, I notice you mean only on four days a week, not five, so that makes it two hours fewer, which is more like 5.something percent (2/35 x100).

Could you ask to work 8.30am - 4pm instead?

I think if you finish at 4.30pm, it’s right around the corner from your house, and you don’t start at your other job I’ll 6pm, you’ve already got enough time to pop home?

Otherwise offer to start early, 8.30 instead of 9am.

@Charliesunnysky10 HR here, we would frown on someone wanting to cut their hours to do another job. Then asking to retain their full time pay.

Think about it from an employers perspective:

• you are saying you can do your current job in 2 hours less so why wouldn’t your employer ask you to do 2 hours more work?
• why would an employer looking to cut costs pay you for 2 hours you are not working?
• i would also question your commitment to your job as working another 16 hours is going to tire you out and so you may be less productive in this job.

As a pp said moving your working day to start at 08:30 is reasonable.

Even better is getting changed at work and going straight to 2nd job. Time for a coffee etc on the way.

Or ask the hotel if you can start slightly later?

@Foreversearch Yes I see what you mean. I'll not ask for a change in hours until I've shown I can do both jobs simultaneously.
@NoSquirrels It's 'around the corner' but I have to walk 20 mins each way. I had to sell my car earlier in the year to free up some cash, when the boiler & washing machine needed replacing and I'd already booked a holiday for myself and the kids.
This is why if they dared question my commitment to this job I'll tell them I've continued to do it even though I'm more than £3k underpaid.
I'm at a point where I'm even considering not telling them and risking a disciplinary if they ever found out. If they say no to my request, I can't afford to go on holiday or pay for my daughter's tuition for her GCSE's. And now I sold my car, I can't afford to look for work far away.
I know holidays and tuition are luxuries but I'm prepared to work for them. I don't like the idea that my employer can underpay me AND stop me trying to negate that low pay.