What's Happening?
The public sector is grappling with the issue of 'polygamous working,' where employees secretly hold multiple jobs simultaneously. This practice has become more prevalent with the rise of remote work,
which has lowered practical barriers. The Cabinet Office's national anti-fraud initiative has identified 301 cases since 2016, recovering £1.35 million in salary payments. A recent case involved a council worker convicted of fraud for holding two full-time jobs at different London councils. Employment lawyer Kaajal Nathwani notes that while not inherently illegal, polygamous working can breach employment contracts and lead to dismissal or fraud charges. The government is using data matching through the National Fraud Initiative to identify inconsistencies in payroll, pension, and benefits data.
Why It's Important?
The rise of polygamous working poses significant challenges to the integrity and efficiency of public services, which are funded by taxpayers. It undermines public trust and can lead to financial losses for government bodies. The practice highlights issues of low pay and job dissatisfaction in the public sector, prompting some employees to seek additional income through secret jobs. This situation raises questions about the adequacy of current employment contracts and the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement. The government's efforts to curb this trend are crucial to maintaining accountability and ensuring that public funds are used effectively.
What's Next?
The government plans to expand data-matching efforts to more aggressively target polygamous working. This includes involving more government departments in the National Fraud Initiative and increasing the use of the Fraud Hub database to prevent rehiring of dismissed employees. Local authorities are expected to continue scrutinizing remote work arrangements to detect and prevent multiple job holdings. The public sector may also need to address underlying issues such as pay and job satisfaction to reduce the incentive for employees to engage in polygamous working.
Beyond the Headlines
The issue of polygamous working reflects broader societal and economic challenges, including the impact of remote work on traditional employment structures and the need for flexible work arrangements. It also raises ethical questions about employee loyalty and the balance between personal financial needs and professional responsibilities. As remote work becomes more common, organizations may need to rethink employment policies and practices to adapt to changing work environments while ensuring compliance and accountability.
