Working 9-5 Monday to Friday – followed by a shift in a restaurant on the weekend – T

RogerWilco1982

I had been working in a branch of a fast food chain very close to my home through school and college. The job was very casual and there was generally a pleasant work atmosphere, however the wages were in line with the industry; not great.

About two years ago it came time to move on and I’ve been working the standard 9-5 in an admin role ever since.

As I normally have Saturday or Sunday free (as I do my cleaning, shopping chores etc. on the weekdays or on either Saturday or Sunday) I was considering approaching the manager of the fast food restaurant and asking to employed on a one shift a week basis on a Saturday or Sunday.
Such a work pattern would not be unusual for this employer, as there is a culture of students working there.
I’m thinking the extra income would be helpful, it’s very close by, I’m trained and I am still on good terms with the managers (and staff socially).

I’m curious to know how, if this turned out to be feasible, it would work in terms of tax?
I certainly wouldn’t be transferring my tax credits to the restaurant, as I would then pay significant tax on my full time job, I imagine.

Can anyone offer guidance on working full time during the week and a part time job at the weekend, in terms of tax and other implications, in terms of work load etc.?
I’d especially be interested to hear from those who have followed this path and their experiences of it.

Mrs OBumble

If you're young and energetic it's fine.

Check your regular job contract for any restrictions about secondary employment, you may need to get their permission.

Tax wise, just tell Revenue. They will split your credits between the jobs. I'd you don't do that, then you pay a lot of tax on the second job during the year and need to ask revenue for a balancing statement each March, and they level it up then.

RiseToMe

Hi OP,

I do something similar myself, work in my own company three days, two days working at my profession, I also lecture/tutor in my field and sit on a board.

I don't do it for the extra money aspect, more as I thrive on variation and being busy. However, when your weeks are going as "routine" all is fine, the stress and annoyance of having two or more commitments comes when you need a day off for something, or plan a holiday and need to take time off from more than one job.

A recent example for me was the passing of a relative, it meant juggling a lot of things about. I'm in the lucky position where I don't rely on anything outside my own business so there is no pressure in terms of pay there just inconvenience of jigging several rotas and timetables about.

If the potential employer begins to rely on you for certain days just say a Saturday, consider how you'll feel about it if on the Friday a mate tells you that he got epic rugby /gig tickets for the Saturday for you both, but then you have to work. If you're happy enough that work is work and you'll miss out, then go for it. But if you think you'd resent missing whatever event it is, knowing if you didn't have the second job you could go, then I'd just let it be and enjoy your weekends.

mirrorwall14

It doesn't matter where your tax credits are assigned, ultimately it is your yearly gross income that matters. If you are above the cut off point for the higher rate of tax then that high rate will apply to all income above that regardless of whether it is your office job or the restaurant. If you do decide to work two jobs be sure to get an accurate p21 at the end of the tax year