Is Taking On A Second Job Worthwhile?

With the current financial climate as it is, people have to consider a myriad of options in order to avoid bankruptcy and provide protection for their family. The thought of losing your home, business or car will drive you to look at all sorts of ways to increase your income. It might be that your current job is not paying you enough to cover your outgoings, so it could be worth thinking about taking on a second one. This is not an uncommon way of living. Many have a full-time job and then top up their earnings by working in a bar or at sports club on a Friday night or on a weekend. This should give you that extra financial security for you and your family to help you get back on your feet again.

With low wages, inflation and pay freezes the pressure is really on, but is taking on a second job really worthwhile? Speaking to the Guardian last year, Zoe Free, a senior recovery practitioner for Saccs, said she tops up her income by leading Zumba sessions during the evening and at weekends. She explained that without this second job she would struggle to afford the small things in life, such as going out with friends. "It's a real life-saver," she told the source.

There are a number of things which need to be taken in to account when thinking about taking on another job, such as local and Federal regulations. These state that no one should work more than an average of 48 hours per week, although this can be opted out of. You also want to make sure that your job on the side is not having an effect on your ability to do your main line of work – are the late nights making you late or unable to concentrate and therefore jeopardizing your position?

Workers should also bear in mind any contractual requirements. The document that you signed when you agreed to work at your current place of employment might have a clause which prevents you from doing anything which causes a conflict of interest, or that might bring the employer into disrepute. For instance, taking on hours at a rival company is unlikely to go down well, as is lap dancing if you are a teacher. It is worth being open with your current employer as it might be that they can see an opportunity for skill development and could even help bring in extra business by marrying up the two professions.

If you do decide to go down the two-job route then there are a number of steps you can take to make your life easier. You should make sure you establish an exit strategy so that you are able to easily leave one position to return to the one which you would like to focus your time and effort on.

By working all the hours available to you, it is important to get rest whenever it is possible. Take advantage of any down time you have by catching up on sleep or going to bed early, rather than burning the candle at both ends. You also want to ensure that you keep in touch with family and friends. Working long hours in two separate jobs can prove to be a stressful and lonely pursuit. This will only feel worse if you are not seeing through your social commitments, leading to a further sense of isolation.

If you can, try and overlap work and social responsibilities. For instance, you might be working as a babysitter and this could allow you to carry out tasks on your laptop while looking after the children. Are you able to fit in a phone call on the train in the morning to save you time when you get to the office? These little shortcuts should help to spread your load a little better.