Advice on second job, salary and taxation

Nitrojan · 3 May 2012 at 13:36

Afternoon OCUK,

I am wondering if someone could help me out here and offer me some advice. I have managed to get a second job as the Lighting Technician/Operator for a club (no names mentioned, but is well known). Being on the trainee wage that I am on in my full-time job, I could do with the extra cash.

I have already done last Saturday night, and have been asked to do 3 nights this bank holiday weekend and then Friday and Saturday nights then on (working hours are 10pm-4am). I have had experience with Theatrical lighting/Festivals but none in a club environment. I was told that I would receive £50 per night - I guess this is based on experience or lack of 'club-related' experience? I mentioned over the phone that I would discuss payment with the manager on the night but never got the chance.

I have been phoned today by them, asking for my details so that they can 'set me up on their system'. After thinking about this long and hard, this would involve me registering as self employed, and then being taxed 20% on all my earnings.. Leaving me with £40 (exclusive of transport costs) per night ~ £8.33p/h (pre-tax) and £6.66p/h (post-tax) on Friday and Saturday nights.

I am now beginning to wonder whether or not this is worth the working hours, getting in at 5am and ruining the weekend just to be back at the club the next evening for 10pm, on top of a part-time uni degree despite having an extra £320-350 per month after tax.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy working there and get on great with everyone but would you work for this money? I don't feel that I can ask for any kind of raise as to them, it's £50 per night all-in (without factoring tax). I guess I saw it as more of a 'foot-in-the-door' to clubs as I DJ as a hobby and due to previous experience, went down the lighting route first as a way in and to gain some contacts for later moving into DJing.

Looking for some advice, suggestions.. anything really.. I have only done one evening, and they have set me up on their system. I haven't signed anything but have been asked to fill in all bank details etc, and obviously I now need to register as a sole-trader.. deal with tax returns etc, which I have never done before.

Advice? :confused:

SuperBOB · 3 May 2012 at 13:43

Are you sure they intend on putting you through the books? if so investigate using an umbrella company - do not DIY unless you know its going to be a long term arrangement.

Nitrojan · 3 May 2012 at 13:46

SuperBOB said:
Are you sure they intend on putting you through the books? if so investigate using an umbrella company - do not DIY unless you know its going to be a long term arrangement.

Their rep over the phone told me that they just pay the £50 per night and I have to sort out my own taxes. I guess being self-employed, I have no fixed contract hours.. so accept/decline when I wish to work. Technically, I don't have to do every weekend (which is good) but the pay is not exactly great for the working hours also factoring in the 'hassle' (if you want to call it that) of ruining half of the weekend by sleeping. I guess I was under the impression that the pay would be more considering it's the DJ/Lighting jock that are key to the whole evening/event.

TommyV · 3 May 2012 at 13:47

cash in hand

Nitrojan · 3 May 2012 at 13:51

TommyV said:
cash in hand

Thought about this - but they are a child company of a large event corporation that own pretty much all of the well known clubs around here. They won't do it.

m@rty · 3 May 2012 at 13:57

Let them pay you then and you 'sort' out the tax yourself

Nitrojan · 3 May 2012 at 13:59

m@rty said:
Let them pay you then and you 'sort' out the tax yourself

But surely it can't be that easy, if you know what I am saying lol.. there must be some kind of measures in place or else everyone would do it?

SuperBOB · 3 May 2012 at 14:06

Nitrojan said:
But surely it can't be that easy, if you know what I am saying lol.. there must be some kind of measures in place or else everyone would do it?

Lots of people do do it.

But in this situation the money is being tracked on their books so it would be too much of a risk for me. What did you think of my suggestion of using an umbrella company?

Its not much effort to set up.

Nitrojan · 3 May 2012 at 14:09

SuperBOB said:
Lots of people do do it.

But in this situation the money is being tracked on their books so it would be too much of a risk for me. What did you think of my suggestion of using an umbrella company?

Its not much effort to set up.

I don't really know what that is if I am totally honest - I have always worked for an employer so will need to have a good read. The thing is, I am supposed to be working Friday, Saturday and Sunday night so I am owed, with last weekend £200 pre-tax.. Obviously I won't be paid until I register myself up as self-employed etc. I'm not sure if it's even worth it.

I will look into what an umbrella company is later on and let you know

thanks for that.