So you learn that your employee has a part-time job unrelated to their full-time position with your organization. This is a positive development, so don’t worry.
Initially, you may doubt your employee’s commitment outside of the 9-to-5 workday. So let’s examine the benefits of helping your employees’ side business and provide guidelines for avoiding conflicts.
Why Do Employees Work Extra Jobs?
It is usual for employees around the world to engage in side work. According to the Aviva 2022 survey, one in five (19%) adult employees in the United Kingdom have a part-time job, while on the other side of the Atlantic, the proportion is nearly double – according to the Zapier 2022 study, 40% of American workers have a part-time job.
During the epidemic, the increase in remote employment has enabled workers to have greater flexibility and save commute time; some have chosen to use this time for part-time work. The healthy lifestyle of remote work enables employees to be more productive and do more work in less time, enabling them to earn additional revenue in addition to their regular employment.
Another advantage of part-time employment is pursuing hobbies and generating extra cash from them. Thus, employees can remain motivated both during and outside of work hours.
Unfortunately, inflation and the cost of living crisis also motivate workers to seek part-time employment. 66% of Europeans with no savings believe they don’t make enough to save for retirement, according to a 2019 ING survey, while more than half of Europeans (51%) admit to sometimes running out of money before payday. In the United States, the situation is comparable: 70% of workers claim they do not earn enough to live a comfortable life. These statistics are sufficient to explain why some workers require a part-time job to make ends meet.
Justifications for Supporting A Part-Time Work
Supporting your part-time employees may seem paradoxical, but it may benefit their employment and your organization. Here are some justifications:
They Get New Abilities
Part-time workers are more likely to acquire new skills and improve existing ones that can be used in their regular jobs. By working in various capacities on various projects, people can build problem-solving skills and obtain experience that they may have missed if they concentrated on a single task.
Multiple revenue streams necessitate a substantial investment of effort and project management. Therefore, if an individual can meet the requirements of both full-time and part-time work, it is likely that their abilities can be applied to specific projects within their function.
They Form New Relationships
Working part-time also allows you to create new connections. For instance, if an employee conducts a side business and has a solid rapport with their clientele, they can introduce them to your firm’s services. Additionally, part-time employment broadens your professional network, which can later be applied to your business.
It Builds Confidence
The belief that the employee would be successful in a part-time position is essential to the relationship between employer and employee. Achieving a high degree of trust provides employees with a sense of security and improves employee retention in the long run.
Despite your good intentions, barring your staff from working part-time is viewed as overly demanding and restrictive and will ultimately compel the employee to seek full-time employment elsewhere.
This Will Increase Their Happiness
Indeed, it is pretty simple. According to a study conducted in 2021, employees with supplemental income feel psychologically stronger and can enhance their performance at their full-time employment. Employees are more driven to achieve success when they pursue chances outside of their core position.
The quest for career happiness is intimately related to the goal of personal happiness and contentment, and happy employees are essential to your firm’s success. For instance, if an employee does not find sufficient variety in their main job but appreciates security, meaningful part-time employment can create a balance that leads to increased job satisfaction.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
Indeed, there are. Not all employees are adept at balancing full-time and part-time employment, so you must be prepared for it to become an issue and decide if it’s worthwhile to assist an employee who does.
No Interference
The most significant issue with a part-time job is that it should not prohibit the person from working full-time. It can be distracting, contribute to burnout, detract from work, be a distraction, and even cause employees to concentrate on side projects during company hours.
However, it can be challenging to monitor exactly how your employees spend their workday working from home. EMS is an excellent tool for tracking the time spent on work-related initiatives instead of other tasks.
Competing Interests
You should also refrain from having your employees work for your immediate rivals. To avoid conflicts of interest, most corporations prohibit their staff from working for competitors in any capacity.
To avoid conflicts with your company’s principles, it is essential to establish clear expectations and bounds for perks up front.
Be Sympathetic, But Establish Clear Limits
As previously said, moonlighting offers numerous advantages, including acquiring new skills and contacts, the development of self-confidence, and an increase in employee dedication and motivation to succeed. However, it would help if you guaranteed that moonlighting does not interfere with your full-time employment or offer your additional competition revenue.
Should you accept a worker’s additional income? It depends on you. A flexible work arrangement might be advantageous if you perceive clear benefits, the employee consistently meets deadlines, and production is unaffected. It depends on your situation and the assistance you choose to provide.
If your employee’s part-time work does not interfere with their regular responsibilities, there should be no issue. Concerns regarding outside obligations are valid, and the ideal way is to create a chance for open communication that will aid in establishing confidence and a solid base of support.
