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Advice needed - previous employer wants me to help out on a consulting basis

X-Calibre786

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The background is this. After nearly 4 years as the General IT Admin at my current employer, I've found another job and will be starting there at the beginning of November. Current employer hired someone to replace me and I'd started doing handovers with him. Without going into reasons why, this new guy has now been dismissed with immediate effect.

Current employer has asked me to help out after hours and weekends on a consulting basis with the stuff that the other team members are not able to get to or do not have enough knowledge to handle.

Has anyone done something like this before? Is it worth the hassle that may cause with the new employer in terms of moonlighting etc.? How do I work out a fair hourly rate if I do decide to go ahead with this?

It should be a temporary thing till they appoint someone new, probably in January.
 
What does your new contract say? If there is a non-compete I doubt that you would be able to, especially if the company is a competitor. You can be sly about it, but if your new job finds out, it won't end well.

Edit. Resigning from one job is like going through a break up. Sure the other party will be butt hurt, but you can't go back for a quicky every now and then. In my eyes, it's not your problem and you shouldn't jeopardise your new job because the old people still need you.
 
The new contract has clause about not doing any other job that would impact my ability to satisfactorily do my "actual" job, or have a side business without prior written permission. The 2 employers are totally different industries, so competition is not an issue.
 
Be honest with your new company if it's not stipulated in your contract of course.

Explain the situation, that it's temporary and that it won't affect your work with them.
Also tell your old company that if it's evening work, it's limited to like 3 hours or so, as you don't want to be non compos mentus at your new job.

Being honest with them as well as your willingness to help an ex-employer will show integrity.

Those are my thoughts :)
 
Just clear it with your new employer.
Inform them that it will not interfere with your new job (think "sleepy").
And get it in writing.

And making sure there is a smooth transistion is in your new employers best interest.
I probably means that you are less likely to drop them too.
 
The background is this. After nearly 4 years as the General IT Admin at my current employer, I've found another job and will be starting there at the beginning of November. Current employer hired someone to replace me and I'd started doing handovers with him. Without going into reasons why, this new guy has now been dismissed with immediate effect.

Current employer has asked me to help out after hours and weekends on a consulting basis with the stuff that the other team members are not able to get to or do not have enough knowledge to handle.

Has anyone done something like this before? Is it worth the hassle that may cause with the new employer in terms of moonlighting etc.? How do I work out a fair hourly rate if I do decide to go ahead with this?

It should be a temporary thing till they appoint someone new, probably in January.
Honestly - as stated by bythecantloads. This is a dangerous area to be in as it will not end well for you should anyone find out (obviously if your contract states that) - My contract states I must declare any work I do after hours for some sort of remuneration. (and I am dead sure they investigate that stuff).

 
Thanks for the advice so far. I think I will clear it with the new employer first and get their written approval, as recommended. Any guidance on how to calculate a fair hourly rate?
 
In terms of the "fair hourly rate." Take into account whether the old company will do PAYE on your behalf or not. If not, use at least your previous pre-tax CTC hourly rate (theoretically you can charge more than that because it's after hours, but that is up to you) because you will have to pay tax on it yourself. (If it does go through PAYE then make sure your net is at least what it would've been before, or more as above).

Getting into a tax pickle is not worth it for any amount of bonus income.
 

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