Experiences of working a second job

[Baked_bean]

Hi Guys,

I am currently in a training role in my current job and will be going into a full (eg half decent) wage at the end of the year. At the moment though I am currently looking at getting a second job for the finer things in life and to pay off a few small debts I have.

I am just wondering what peoples experiences are and what what people have done as a second job. I work conventional 8-5, 5 day weeks so would be looking at evening work.

Any words of wisdom or advice on roles to look for would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[oldbanger]

I used to work 2 jobs.

Originally I was self employed and worked evenings and weekends as a carer. I managed this fine, but then the 2nd job was my main wage anyway.

I kept the caring going when I entered full time employment - 2 to 3 nights a week (4 hours each), plus 2 split shifts on Saturday (10-11 hours over a 14 hour day). To be quite frank it was a killer and I nearly made myself ill. The extra money wasn't great either - £6.50 or £7.50 per hour on a BR tax code.

You usually need to get permission from your main employer as well. Although I told my manager informally, it wasn't until after I stopped doing the 2nd job that I found out that I needed written authorisation to have a 2nd job.

[rog007]

What can you do?

[CurvaParabolica]

I worked two jobs from the age of 20 until about 26; 9-5 (actually 8.30-5.30) working for a Shipping Company and then nights and some weekends (usually 5 or 6 shifts a week) in the fine-dining restaurant of a local hotel. Worked fine for me, had a good time at both jobs and made some life-long friends through the hotel, but back then I had few commitments and was happy to spend most of my time working - the money was good for both so couldn't complain. Not so sure I could do it now though.

If you don't have family/other commitments then I don't see any reason why you can't do it comfortably as long as you enjoy working.

[Mr.Chips]

Just be careful of the tax situation. I have recently had a problem where the tax office thought I had two jobs, no one at fault, just an admin issue. The down side of this was the tax office gave me a 40% tax rate on what they thought was my second job, double my normal rate. This virtually meant that I was struggling to pay bills etc and would ultimately have caused severe hardship. Fortunately, once I contacted the tax office, they quickly sorted out the problem, but their web-site does say that all second jobs are taxed at the 40% rate, so just take this into consideration. HTH

[worsy]

Mr.Chips said:

Just be careful of the tax situation. I have recently had a problem where the tax office thought I had two jobs, no one at fault, just an admin issue. The down side of this was the tax office gave me a 40% tax rate on what they thought was my second job, double my normal rate. This virtually meant that I was struggling to pay bills etc and would ultimately have caused severe hardship. Fortunately, once I contacted the tax office, they quickly sorted out the problem, but their web-site does say that all second jobs are taxed at the 40% rate, so just take this into consideration. HTH

And to point out in case this scares the OP, second jobs are not routinely taxed at 40%. As a Basic Rate taxpayer you will be given the code BR for the second job which translates as Basic Rate. All earnings will be taxed at your normal rate of tax.

For a higher rate taxpayer a second job would normally attract 40% and this is reflected as a code of D0.

[kit_kat]

My main job is Monday to Friday 9-5, I also have a second job (waitressing) where I usually work 6-Finish (Finish being anywhere from 10.30 to 12.00) and on occasions I would work extra if I wanted to. I have been doing the 2nd job for about 2 years and it's not easy. Luckily for me I have a contract where I can pretty much choose my hours, at the moment i'm only working the occasional shift when needed.

[Baked_bean]

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys, i am looking at something like waiting or bar work..... Although i wouldn't mind looking into caring etc.

[rog007]

Then in your neck of the woods you should have no problem with opportunity, particularly with the Olympics just around the corner. Good luck!