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Original poster

Two jobs at once?

67 replies

Jigglypuff82 · 29/12/2024 17:25

If i were to call in long term sick at job A and start another job B to pass the 3 month probabtion period, would Job A find out? Then I could just quit easily?

I understand that Job B would call Job A for a reference before offering me the position.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jigglypuff82 · 30/12/2024 06:15

Monty27 · 30/12/2024 03:57

@Jigglypuff82 I really don't believe you are serious. What field do you work in?

Finance

OP posts:
EmberAsh · 30/12/2024 06:24

Can you take a sabbatical from your current job. Some of these allow you to work elsewhere during the break.

DarkForces · 30/12/2024 06:25

You're in a field where your reputation is a fundamental part of your employability and you want to risk ruining for a few weeks SSP? You don't get to phase out a job in this way. Resign and get on with the new job like everyone else.

Lunaamy · 30/12/2024 06:37

I think this is a somewhat dangerous idea, and there may be some legal trouble.

BitOutOfPractice · 30/12/2024 06:44

Yeah it’s a great idea op. Can’t think why everyone doesn’t do it. There are absolutely no potential problems I can see 🙄

Moonwalkies · 30/12/2024 06:44

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've read on here, and there's been some very stiff competition.

PictureItSicily · 30/12/2024 06:51

What do you plan to do about your notice period with your current employer? Wouldn't you need them as a reference?

motherofdragons79 · 30/12/2024 07:01

Are you really serious? Surely you can't be.....

CandidHedgehog · 30/12/2024 07:15

If you are signed off sick, you legally have to be paid SSP so taking that payment will be fraud. Also, how are you planning on getting signed off? Bear in mind forging a sick note is a literal criminal offence for which people can be and are prosecuted.

Also, if it is shown you defrauded a previous employer (which this would be), I would be astounded if you were not sacked for gross misconduct from Job B and that can be done at any time so you would be vulnerable even after the 2 years is up.

unsync · 30/12/2024 07:21

If it's that important to you, take a three month, unpaid leave of absence. I can see no benefit in what you propose though. Just resign. If your old job was any good, you wouldn't be looking for new employment would you?

LIZS · 30/12/2024 07:49

Finance is a regulated profession. If you are found to be untrustworthy you may never work in such a role again. Are you professionally qualified? People talk so you may get casually found out .

Oblomov24 · 30/12/2024 08:04

WTF?
Finance. You are a fool.

AgathaChristmas · 30/12/2024 08:25

Unless there is an obvious reason why the sickness that prevents you from doing Job A doesn't prevent you from doing Job B, then you would be fraudulently claiming sick pay.

You may well be breaking the terms of both your employment contracts.

You run the very real risk of being sacked from both jobs. Is it worth it?

And to be clear, by 'obvious reason' I mean a reason that would be clear even to a sceptical 3rd party, not 'a way I can justify this to myself'.

For example, if you were a submarine officer and signed off sick with extreme claustrophobia (if that is a thing) and you took a job that meant you were always working outside, that may be OK. You would still need to check your employment contracts though.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/12/2024 08:41

To be off sick for more that a week, you need a fit note from your doctor. The fit note will say what you are able to do. If you are using the fit note to show that you are unable to do Job A, then you Connolly do Job B if it involves the activities the fit note shows you can do.

Figgygal · 30/12/2024 08:48

Why not just act professionally and leave job A?
You are talking about fraud at a basic level you aren't sick however you look at it.
You won't have a p45 so will be on emergency tax in job b. They will chase you for it.
Check your contract for any secondary employment clause.

We've had people in our place do it theyre always caught and dismissed.

I dont understand why you think this is a good idea or necessary.

converseandjeans · 30/12/2024 09:00

I don't think company B would keep you on if they found out you had done this. It’s obviously dishonest & as others have said they don't have to keep you even if you pass probation. Why are you so worried about not passing probation anyway... do you think they won't keep you on at company B? Most people just give notice & start a new job.

stripeystripedstripes · 30/12/2024 09:02

This is a very stupid idea. Just resign and give notice from job A instead of this nonsense.

prh47bridge · 30/12/2024 09:13

Jigglypuff82 · 29/12/2024 18:00

I thought about this, but its only going to flag to HR right?....not actual management.

You really think HR won't tell anyone? Why would they cover for you?

This is an incredibly bad plan.

They can just get rid of you in 24 months?

Yes. You do not have any protection against unfair dismissal until you have worked there for 2 years. They cannot sack you for a discriminatory reason, but they can sack you for any other reason provided they give you your contractual notice.

As others have said, what you are proposing is fraud. It could be classed as such even if you take your sick leave unpaid. If you are found out, which is highly likely, you may no longer be able to work in finance.

sunbum · 30/12/2024 09:16

People are doing this in iT but they're self employed contractors, so it doenst really matter as you justbissue invoices for work done. I know someone that has one conract 9-5 and another that states hours overnight as its covering a different timezone. He still keeps it quiet though, even though hes not really doing anything wrong. Some contracts, both temp an dpermament, state you have to let them know if you are doing anpther made employment (mine does). It won't work of you are PAYE though as new company will become aware of what you're doing when doing your payroll via HMRC. They will also ask for your p45 which you won't have.

My friend runs an IT company and hired someone this summer. HR (third party HR provider as small company) alerted him in October that the guy had worked for 2 companies for three months i.e he worked for company B for entirely of his 3 month notice period from company A. They found out end of month 4 so a month after he'd stopped being paid by both companies. My friend immediately sacked him for dishonesty. The thrid party HR company wrote to his old company A, and they said they were going to take him to court to recover the 3 month of salary (don't know ifbthis actually happened).

If this is all a way to get round a 3m notice period, which are annoying, i know, you'd be better off resigning from company A and stating that you would only work a months notice, even though you are contractually obliged to work 3 months. They will threaten legal action (and your last month will be tense) but they may not bother for 2 months, lots of companies don't. I know a few people who have done this, or made their notice 6 weeks by tacking on leave etc.

sunbum · 30/12/2024 09:16

Paid employment not made

AlohaRose · 30/12/2024 09:29

I can't believe that you are seemingly intelligent enough to work in finance and yet have no idea how sick leave or probation works. The main question to ask is why on earth you feel it necessary to start a new job in this convoluted way – why specifically will you not resign from your first job and start working at the new job like everyone else does?

As a regulated industry, your new employer will absolutely be requesting a reference from your current company before you start working there. How are you going to explain that away to your current employer? Even if you do manage to pull off this ridiculous plan, you realise that you can only self certify for a week after which point you will need to Have a doctors note to remain off. How are you planning to get that, which mysterious illness are you going to claim you are suffering from? You certainly won't be given one for the full three months so you are going to have to return to the doctor and lie again. As you say your company is a large one, they are highly likely to involve occupational health in an absence of that length so more lies.

If the new company finds out what you are doing, you'll be out on your ear during or after your probation.

CantHoldMeDown · 30/12/2024 09:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 30/12/2024 09:36

It's fraud! You are not unfit for work. Hope you get caught abd end up with no job. Swanky behaviour.

CantHoldMeDown · 30/12/2024 09:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

sunbum · 30/12/2024 09:39

Its to get round a 3 month notice period, which make it really difficult to find a new job as recruitment people want to find someone that can start next month and generally wont wait 3 months for someone, unless its a new CEO or someone super valuable. I refuse to take jobs with 3m notices now and always negotiate them down to standard 4 weeks notice as they really are a pain. For mere mortals, it effectively means you have to resign without a job to go to and take a leap of faith. This is how its is in IT anyway.

As i said, i do know people who have resigned and refused to honour the 3 months and stated last day would be in 6 weeks in resignation letter, banking on the company not wantine to spend on the legal cost of forcing another 6 weeks of work. And most companies won't want a pissed off, disgruntled person working for them for an additional forced 2 months when they could be very damaging. They'd likely put you on gardening leave though which doesnt get round the iasue as you'd still be paid. You have to state that you are breaking the terms of your contract (and risk legal action) and that your last day of work will be earlier.