Comments on: Working Two Jobs at the Same Time

By: Oxford

Oxford — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:59:19 +0000

This is an interesting topic, but somewhat simple. If one has an agreement with an employer to work a certain time period during the week then this gives the employer exclusive rights to the person’s time. If the case is that there is no specific hours agreed to work between the employee and the employer then working another job during what we consider 8-5 is okay. The reason I say this is because some salary jobs require employees to work odd hours (not 8-5 each day). So then as long as the employee is not working for a competitor or working another job during the same hours agreed (double billing) then there is no foul. It is usually clear when we have crossed the line. Further this subject can be a matter of individual ethics. If you feel it is wrong, then you should evaluate why the action bothers you. Money is not always the most important factor. You can ask those that have crossed the lines of fuzzy ethics, such as Bernie Madoff, the Enron Clan, and the like.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:43:45 +0000

It is really hard to determine whether its ‘ethical’ to complete work that is not for company X while getting paid by company Y. I guess there is not so much a problem with time, (Salaries paid by the year are for work performed over the year and should be measured as such) but more of a problem with using company property that does not benefit them? Probably better just to explain that you have provided excellent value for money and then walk out of the building. Might be hard sell for a type X manager who wants to squeeze productivity and still thinks that hours measure output.

By: Yaqut Shah Qureshi

Yaqut Shah Qureshi — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:33:02 +0000

work is more important than spending hours at your jobs. so doing a lot is good and for the progress of your country and family.

By: Yaqut Shah Qureshi

Yaqut Shah Qureshi — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:50:21 +0000

I think it is good to perform many jobs for the improvement of one`s family and country. there are two types of jobs one is the work should be done and the other is how much time you spend on one place doing some job. for the first one it is possible and it is good for both of them.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:08:54 +0000

I would contact a lawyer on that one Confused.

By: Confused

Confused — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:38:31 +0000

I’m confused because I am a salaried employee at one place that says we cannot have another salaried position somewhere else. I have dodged this caveat with doing consultant work and hourly contract work but I am now looking at a salaried position. I don’t get how my present employer can prohibit this? Do they have legal grounds?

By: trish

trish — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:25:07 +0000

OK I think the problem here is the paid by the hour mentality. We pay you for 8 hours so we own your ass for those hours even if they are not productive. This leads to unproductive employees. The idea of an eight hour work day should be reevaluated. I think goals and objectives should be set for employee and once those are accomplished the rest of the day is theirs. Happy employees are the most productive.

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:12:43 +0000

@ Cara,

Just ask dear then worry if the will accept or not. If your doing the work then it fare to get some money.

Just think of a number that you will be happy with, add 30% on it and ask :)

By: Cara

Cara — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:24:30 +0000

What am I worth?

I feel like I am in a unique situation. I was hired to do one job, and have been asked to take on an additional “full-time job” in my company. Yes, I am highly productive and can manage working both (although deadlines for the second one are compromised – with their approval & full knowledge.) The HR director did NOT want to pay me extra to do both jobs. My first supervisor (also the CEO) wants to pay me extra. I figure, the company is saving a whole salary & benefits, and I should receive some of that! I agreed to take it on on a trial basis and be able to talk salary at the end of the trial, (in one month from now.) I’m just not sure how to accurately piece together how much I’m worth. We’re a religious non-profit working on pew dollars – I can’t justify asking for the entire second salary – plus, I’d never get it…but I am worth more to them than my initial salary. Any thoughts?

By: Schwamie

Schwamie — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:02:49 +0000

As a member of the Colorado Army National Guard, I serve in a “volunteer” capacity (that I get paid for) to perform Military Funeral Honors. Fortunately, I work less than 5 minutes from Ft. Logan Veterans Cemetary. As a Captain, I frequently get called to perform honors at odd times during the day. Usually, I am given at least a 24 hour notice. This allows me to coordinate with my boss (a retired Marine First Sergeant) who lets me take “lunch” as needed during the time that the funeral takes place. I am technically off the clock as that is my lunch time. So should this be seen as an issue? I don’t think so as I’m not being paid by my full time job which is buying parts and systems to construct the Orion Shuttle! (Had to throw that in as my geeky side finds that cool!)

By: 2joblarry

2joblarry — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:20:29 +0000

I work two fulltime jobs as a medical technologist. I work midnight shift at a large hospital lab and I get home about 9am. I get up at about 1:30pm and go to my other job at 2:30pm. I do this eighty hours a week. I started doing this after my divorce judge ordered me to pay too much child support. This in returned took me out of my childrens life every day. How do judges think by making dads pay outrageous amounts of child support is going to help the children. Too many children out there without dads in their lives. Take a look at prisons. Most of the men and women in there will say they grew up with out a dad.
Just wanted to say working two jobs is possible. I will impact your life and health, but it can be done
Thanks
lr

By: pfoo

pfoo — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:29:25 +0000

it may be unethical – but is it worth it? If your current employer is stupid enough to let you work other jobs, and don’t manage your productivity – isnt that your benefit?

people dont mind when a company takes advantage of their employees (wich is very common) – but as soon as employees turn the tables – it’s unethical? I dotn think so

By: t-luck

t-luck — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:18:51 +0000

mmm… didn’t expect to see these kind of feedback on this topic. All this while, in my opinion, as long as you don’t do anything that has conflict of interest with your primary job, then, it should be all right.

Good article, Lazy Man!

http://moneychurner.blogspot.com

By: Llama Money

Llama Money — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:35:04 +0000

I work on my side business during downtime at my day job. I don’t feel bad for doing so…. I work hard at my dayjob and make sure it is my main focus. It does represent the bulk of my income at the time. If that situation changes, perhaps my focus might shift.. hard to say.

For now, if I’m slammed with work, then my side business waits. If I’m not overwhelmed, then I find some time. If i don’t look out for myself and diversify, I might end up in some serious financial trouble.

Then again…. I’m on a salary / bonus pay plan. If I was hourly, I would probably feel differently. I haven’t worked a 40 hour week in so many years I can’t remember.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:31:27 +0000

It’s the same here (time card theft as grounds for dismissal). Unfortunately, there are almost no jobs that pay by any other model. You can contract, but you have to then find your own health insurance and then work for finding your next job.

By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:04:11 +0000

Its called time card theft here in Canada and it is very much grounds for dismissal. If you work at a job that pays by the hour then you’re expected to work exclusively for them during that time.

I would suggest people find jobs that don’t pay by that model if you’re not happy with it. When I worked contract I often times billed clients simultaneously, but never when I worked as a salary employee.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:41:24 +0000

I read the same article and had mixed feelings about it as well. In most jobs there is always something else that can be done during down time, in which case, using time that could be used to benefit the company could be unethical.

In other jobs (such as firefighting or any other job that requires you to be on call or present for emergencies) it isn’t as big an issue (after you have completed your required work).

Should it be allowed? If your current employer would have a problem with it, then you shouldn’t do it. If your employer is cool with it (as the example of the graphics designer), then it’s cool.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:44:31 +0000

I read, write, and comment on Blogs during work when it’s not busy. I don’t see the problem, you just need to decide if the risk is worth the reward. We’re all trying to get ahead in life – I don’t see anything wrong with it unless you’re lying to your main employer or pushing completion times back.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:04:23 +0000

I agree with Writer’s Coin above. I also know that I could not manage to work multiple jobs even when my work is slow I would still feel guilty for not giving my primary employer first priority for focus.

By: Writer's Coin

Writer's Coin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:52:17 +0000

Getting paid by a company for your time and then using that time for a side business is unethical, no matter how you slice it. If a manager brings you into an office and says, “Sorry Chuck, we gotta let you go. It’s come to our attention that you’ve been working a few hours a day on your side business while at work.”

What could you say to defend yourself? “But I still get my work done”??

Not likely, you would have to just say, “You got me” and move on.