Private Work - Gross Misconduct?

[Guest dukey]

Hi All,

My husband is currently an alarm engineer for a large firm would like to start my own business, i know we will have to start it off on the weekends at first to scope what interest there is, etc. However, there are a few niggleing questions i need to ask first.

1. His employment contract with his current employer does not mention anything whatsoever about private work, however, we are wondering if there is any way they can find out, and if they did, if it would be seen as misconduct? Also he has to do callout which may prevent him from doing any other work on the weekend, although luckily most problems are dealt with over the phone. He is their only engineer and the business is booming and he is getting fed up of being paid peanuts when the customer is paying £1,000 for one job that he done all by himself anyway!!!

2. How does a company get a bell box with the company name imprinted on it?

3. Is there any good website that I can look up with info on starting a small business, we are really really confused about how much tax that would need to be paid, how to work it out, etc.

Any advice would be very much appreciated. Many thanks, Lauren.

[waynedck]

Go to www.companieshouse.co.uk and they have lots of advise. I would register and become limited. Then look in yell.com for good accountant and let them deal with TAX. Email through to lots of different security and fire companies to pick up work. Always set out your terms and conditions of payment though. Design your own leterhead or if you wnat to pay go to a printers. They could also sort bellbox issue.

[Zak]

Hi All,

My husband is currently an alarm engineer for a large firm would like to start my own business, i know we will have to start it off on the weekends at first to scope what interest there is, etc. However, there are a few niggleing questions i need to ask first. 

1. His employment contract with his current employer does not mention anything whatsoever about private work, however, we are wondering if there is any way they can find out, and if they did, if it would be seen as misconduct?  Also he has to do callout which may prevent him from doing any other work on the weekend, although luckily most problems are dealt with over the phone.  He is their only engineer and the business is booming and he is getting fed up of being paid peanuts when the customer is paying £1,000 for one job that he done all by himself anyway!!!

First of all, if there is nothing in the contract then there is nothing in the contract. However, they maybe something in the contract that you have not seen or misinterpreted.  Most contracts say something about not having a second job without permission. Also there are other implications in my opinion.

You say he works for a large company but is their only engineer...? If he is contracted to be on call and is planning to be busy with his own business then presumably that is a breach. Also, if he is doing PJ's then the company may think that he is poaching potential clients.

Just because he does a thousand pound install does not mean that the company is rich or your husband is underpaid. Companies have huge overheads that most staff do not comprehend. It could have cost the company more than the job to actually get it. Also, it is not easy to gain clients.

2. How does a company get a bell box with the company name imprinted on it?

If you need to ask these questions then you have a long way to go before you start up on your own. You need to find a brand that you like and speak to them. Every bell box manufacturer will screen print your name when you buy a certain amount of boxes.

3. Is there any good website that I can look up with info on starting a small business, we are really really confused about how much tax that would need to be paid, how to work it out, etc.

A few. Businesslink.gov.uk is a very good resource.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.  Many thanks, Lauren.

70775[/snapback]

[Rich]

Hi All,

My husband is currently an alarm engineer for a large firm would like to start my own business, i know we will have to start it off on the weekends at first to scope what interest there is, etc. However, there are a few niggleing questions i need to ask first. 

1. His employment contract with his current employer does not mention anything whatsoever about private work, however, we are wondering if there is any way they can find out, and if they did, if it would be seen as misconduct?  Also he has to do callout which may prevent him from doing any other work on the weekend, although luckily most problems are dealt with over the phone.  He is their only engineer and the business is booming and he is getting fed up of being paid peanuts when the customer is paying £1,000 for one job that he done all by himself anyway!!!

2. How does a company get a bell box with the company name imprinted on it?

3. Is there any good website that I can look up with info on starting a small business, we are really really confused about how much tax that would need to be paid, how to work it out, etc.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.  Many thanks, Lauren.

70775[/snapback]

Check the contract again, all contracts I have ever had, state that I am not to do personal work that is related to the business of the company I was working for, I think if your husband was doing work identical to the work they were employing him for, then in their eyes the chances of him using their equipment /materials for private work is high. Plus the chance of poaching contracts.

For the bellbox, you would find a supplier of bell boxes and then find a printer of labels to stick on them?

For information on starting a business, the best option would be to contact your local business link, they can provide you with all the information you need, generally for 2 years and its free, they also provide courses and seminars in various business related subjects.

I think you are going to have a hard time of starting off working only at the available weekends, first you will need to find the jobs. Although the people he's currently working for maybe getting £1000 for a job that your husband installs himself, you obviously haven't considered the following costs:

The cost of getting the sale in the first place (advertising, salesman wage/commission, etc.)

The cost to the company for employing your husband, transport, tools, insurance...

General overheads.

If the company didn't charge what they did, your husband wouldn't be employed in the first instance.

IMO you need to look into how your husband is going to get work and I would not register as a limited company if he's already working for someone, I think you have 3 months from becoming a sole trader before you legally have to register as a sole trader with the inland revenue, so maybe if money is the issue, he may be better off finding a company to work for that pays better with less hours.

[norman]

1. There will be (or should be) a clause for 'conflict of interest' that may prevent your husband from going self employed whilst in full time employment.

2. Decide on your supplier, decide on your prefer ed manufacturer (lots of advice on here, just do a search) then place an order for the minimum amount to be screen-printed.

3. Try here

Please ensure you have enough support and experience in the field you are choosing as people often wrongly assume that it looks easy money

good luck