40% take on second jobs

ABOUT 40% of Irish people have taken on a second job in order to strengthen their finances over the last two years, according to a survey.

The study – carried out by the Irish arm of leading British employment law/health and safety consultant Peninsula – found that the level of “double-jobbing” to make ends meet increased by 17% in 2009, having been at 23% in 2008.

In addition, the growing trend is raising significant concerns over potential breaches of employment law, particularly possible breaches of working time regulations – which currently has 48 hours as the maximum working week.

Although no breaches have been reported, Peninsula is currently receiving an average of 1,000 calls per week regarding legal advice on working two jobs.

Both employers and employees can be fined a minimum of €2,000 for breaking employment law, with workers also in line for certain disciplinary sanctions if found guilty of breaching work time regulations.

According to Alan Price, Peninsula Ireland’s managing director: “Taking on a second job may well be a short-term answer to financial difficulties, but it often has long-term consequences. In theory, it’s a good idea – a second job means higher income. But, it can pose problems for both the boss and the employee.”

Mr Price added: “HR [human resources] laws need to be looked at to ensure that no one is breaking the law by working too many hours in one week. Another problem you face is employee fatigue and this may well become a health and safety concern, so it’s something that both the employee and the employer need to address.”

He went on to say: “If money is your only motivation, then workers should be encouraged to look at ways to increase the salary of their primary job. There may be better ways to improve marketability, training and education.”