Low Pay and Boredom Led Me to Get a Secret Second Job
Seven hours ago
Meghan Owen
London Work and Money Correspondent
The phenomenon of polygamous working—holding multiple secret jobs—has surged in recent years, particularly among public sector employees struggling with low salaries. The government is increasingly focused on addressing this trend, which poses financial and ethical challenges.
Understanding Polygamous Working in the Public Sector
– Definition and Growing Trend: Polygamous working refers to maintaining multiple jobs—often without employer knowledge. This trend has gained traction alongside the rise of remote work.
– Legal Implications: While not inherently illegal, polygamous working can violate employment contracts and lead to severe consequences, including dismissal for gross misconduct.
– Statistics: Since 2016, the Cabinet Office’s national anti-fraud initiative has uncovered 301 cases within the public sector, recovering £1.35 million in improperly paid salaries.
Insights from a Former Polygamous Worker
Imtiaz Shams, in his mid-thirties and current CEO of a tech start-up, shared his own experience with polygamous working during his gap year. At the time, he earned £16,000 annually as a public sector finance assistant and also took on a second job in the private sector without his employer’s knowledge.
– Job Satisfaction: Imtiaz described his public sector role as dull, stating, I automated a lot of stuff on Excel. I was on Reddit all day. He sought a second job to stay engaged and earn extra money, adding, I shouldn’t have worked there, but I wasn’t paid well enough to feel bad. That’s why I left.
– Current Perspective: Now in the tech sector, Imtiaz advocates for his employees to pursue side projects, emphasizing that happiness drives performance. Good people are hungry, he remarked, reflecting on the disparity in remuneration between the tech industry and public service.
Legal Grey Areas Surrounding Polygamous Working
– Employment Contracts: Employment lawyer Kaajal Nathwani notes that while polygamous working lacks a formal legal definition, it can break implied trust in employment relationships. Contracts may not always clearly prohibit secondary jobs, yet violations can have serious repercussions.
– Confidentiality Concerns: Multiple jobs may lead to breaches of confidentiality and data protection, posing additional risks for employees.
– Difference from Moonlighting: Unlike moonlighting, where individuals take on secondary jobs outside their primary employment hours, polygamous working often involves overlapping responsibilities, raising ethical questions about employee commitment and performance.
Impact on Public Services and Taxpayers
Public sector roles are funded by taxpayers, and the expectation is for these employees to contribute effectively to society. The government emphasizes accountability, stating:
– Millions of people work hard, pay their taxes, and contribute to their communities. The government owes it to them to ensure decency and respect.
The government’s National Fraud Initiative (NFI) is actively identifying discrepancies in earnings. Recently, 13 cases of polygamous working were flagged in the 2024-25 financial year, leading to recoveries of £113,000 in taxpayer funds.
Public Sector Response to Polygamous Workers
Barnet Council’s Cabinet member for Financial Sustainability, Simon Radford, characterized polygamous working as a misuse of public funds.
– Ongoing Cases: The council has prosecuted individuals engaged in fraud, including one worker who simultaneously held two full-time positions in London, resulting in a £10,000 recovery. Radford stressed the importance of accountability across all levels, declaring a zero-tolerance policy for fraudulent behavior.
Underlying Issues and Systemic Challenges
Despite government efforts, critics like Alex Burghart, MP, argue that insufficient monitoring allows issues to persist. “Hard-working taxpayers expect efficiency and transparency from the public sector,” Burghart stated.
The government has acknowledged the need to enhance monitoring, highlighting increased usage of their Fraud Hub database, which aims to prevent repeat hires of dismissed individuals.
Conclusion
While the allure of polygamous working may stem from low pay and boredom, it also presents ethical and legal dilemmas for employees, especially within the public sector. As scrutiny increases and government initiatives aim to clamp down on fraud, individuals engaging in secret second jobs may find it increasingly difficult to maintain this practice without facing repercussions.
The landscape of work is changing, and the conversation around employee satisfaction, pay equity, and ethical responsibilities remains crucial as workers navigate the challenges of today’s economy.