Working Life > Modes of Working > Side Lining

Side Lining, Additional Occupation or Secondary Job

Definition, Explanation

Tips, Checklist

Definition, Explanation

One speaks of side lining if one pursues one or more other occupations in addition to one's main job. These can include working for other employers, a second job for the main employer or even an honorary appointment. Especially in the present situation of precarity, increasingly more people are looking for additional jobs, often in the form of mini- or midi-jobs.

In activities as an employed person, secondary occupation is to be treated the same as a main job. The same rules apply with regards to holiday leave, sickness, notice and the like.

Tips, Checklist

• Be sure to check seriousness of the secondary job, above all, if you have to invest money. It is worth enquiring exactly
• Clarify how the earnings shown are to be reached and check these. Especially in the case of selling activities, not every product can be sold as well as others
• Perhaps you will need a second wage tax card that you can get from the borough
• If you are employed, a contract of employment is to be concluded and you receive a monthly income. Yet quite often, the second job turns out to be a self-employed activity, in which case you are responsible for your contracts yourself and bear the business risk
• Check whether the secondary occupation has to be registered or even subject to authorisation
• Even if you do not necessarily require your employer's permission, it is better to inform him. Should a competitive situation to your employer result from the activity, this can lead to dismissal without prior notice and possible claims fo damages
• A secondary job is also possible during parental leave, even in the same company
• In the case of secondary income exceeding 400 euros, social security contributions have to be paid
• Self-employed sideliners working for only one employer, who have no own employees and a profit of more than 4,800.00 euros per annum, have to take part in the national pension scheme
• In the case of unemployment, the federal Employment Agency must be informed about the secondary job. Otherwise you risk losing benefits

Last update: 02/11/2010