CareerNews
			Reasons for moonlighting How do employers feel about moonlighters? Tax Issues National insurance contribution Types of moonlighting jobs Skilled moonlighting Moonlighting tIps

By day Janet Wilkins is a mild mannered unassuming newspaper reporter, after dark she becomes…YOGA INSTRUCTOR WOMAN! Fighting crime, combating evil-doers and elevating cellulite nightly.

Alas, very few moonlighters are superheroes. Most work in bars, as taxi drivers, and night watchmen. However, that doesn't stop some still wearing their underwear on the outside…

As family expenditure grows and material aspirations get higher, many people are opting to take on a second job.

Holding down more than one job can be hard work but it can also be hugely worthwhile financially and will possibly yield valuable experience.

Reasons for moonlighting
Some people moonlight to gain experience, others to vent the creativity their 9-5 doesn't permit, Bruce Willis moonlighted so he could keep himself in hair pieces and spend time with Cybil Shepherd…

• Learn new skills, get experience
• Earn extra money
• Make new friends
• Additional perks
• A safety net in a temperamental industry

How do employers feel about moonlighters?
The majority of employers will not have a problem with you doing other work in your own time unless you plan to moonlight for a competitor or do something illegal…

Professions that are particularly security sensitive such as the Defence and the Police Force could potentially object to you working outside of your agreed working hours.

If you are considering taking another job you should talk it through with your current employer. However, bear in mind that he/she may not be all that impressed if you do not mention it and then they find you serving them fly soup in a restaurant.

Employers are often more than happy to employ moonlighters. A programmer or designer who has a full-time job makes a more attractive hire than an unemployed temp worker.

Many employers prefer to have work done after hours than to hire a temp worker, there is less paperwork and no middleman. Lots of temp workers need a certain number of hours. Moonlighters say: "Call me when you need me."

Tax issues
A common fear of people considering taking another job is the tax implications. You should you ask for form P46, but do not tick statements A,B or C or sign the declaration.

Instead, complete the bottom section headed 'Employee'. If you do not want your new employer to see details of your other employment, then you can return it directly to the Inland Revenue.

With more than one job, tax will be deducted at the basic rate (currently 22%) by all but your first employer, even if you are earning below the lower earnings threshold.

If you have more than one job and you earn less than your personal allowance (basic personal allowance for 2000/2001 is £4,385) you should ask your tax office to split the allowance between your positions.

National Insurance Contribution
If you work for more than one employer you will normally have to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions in each job in which your earnings exceed a prescribed minimum level, known as the Primary Threshold.

Your employer will pay secondary contributions on all your earnings above a prescribed threshold, known as the Secondary Threshold but you will pay primary contributions only on earnings in excess of the Primary Threshold, up to and including a prescribed Upper Earnings Limit.

Full details of current earnings limits and National Insurance contribution rates are in leaflet GL23 Social Security benefit rates which is available from the post office. If you earn less than the appropriate prescribed threshold neither you nor your employer will pay contributions.

If you work for an employer and are also self-employed you will normally have to pay Class 1, Class 2 and perhaps Class 4 National Insurance contributions.

Types of moonlighting jobs
Often moonlighters are restricted to working in the evening or early morning to fit their second job around their first. This can limit the type of work available. That said, there are alternatives to working behind a bar:

• Taxi driver
• Security work
• Telesales/support
• Fitness trainer
• Door to door sales
• Cleaner
• Mail sorters
• Waiter/Waitress

Skilled Moonlighting
People with desirable skills such as computer programming, typing and foreign languages can put these to use outside of their everyday job, moonlighting as a freelance.

The skilled moonlighter is often able to work from home and wages are generally more attractive.

Moonlighting Tips

• As a rule try to leave a two hour space between jobs as a cushion, just in case your boss needs you to stay late.
• When you first start moonlighting you will be exhausted by the end of the day, try to get as much sleep as possible.
• Try to avoid going into your primary job smelling of fried chicken or beer from your evening work the night before.
• Life will become difficult unless you enjoy your evening job - you will be irritable, and stressed.
• Don't let your moonlighting job interfere with your main work.