ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > October > 02 > Entry
Are you a daylighter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you work a second job on company time? Then you are a member of a growing segment of the workforce called daylighters. Some people squeeze in work on side gigs during their full-time job to have extra spending money. For others, the faltering economy has made juggling multiple jobs necessary.
I was a daylighter once, where I worked at a tedious cubicle job that nevertheless paid most of the bills. I took on a side gig that didn’t pay enough to do by itself, but allowed me to begin a career path more suited to my skills and desires. I mainly worked on it at home, during the evening and on weekends. But on slow days at my regular job, I would check emails and do other online work related to my side gig. The funny thing was, despite not exactly giving 110% on the regular job, I was consistently near the top of my department for quality and quantity of production. I did this for years, and never got caught. Eventually, because of my dedication to my side gig, I was able to find a full-time job in that industry, and gladly gave up being a daylighter.
What do you think of people that try to work on outside gigs while being on the clock for their main job? Would you report daylighters at your company to the boss?
Comments
By Sugar
October 2, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
I have two co-workers who are running their personal businesses out of our office, with our equipment on our time. One of my co-workers takes a 2 hour lunch every day, to conduct her other business.
By ron
October 2, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
During one 17 year stretch,I worked in a 30 man electrical crew for a large corporation.Three crew members had an electrical contracting business.2 had machine shops where one member manufactured steam engines and boilers.I was a commercial lobster fisherman.Two others were scallop fisherman.One owned a country store.I don’t recall any of this daylighting interfering with the daily business of the job.The company was well aware of these outside occupations and they were never mentioned as a problem.
By ebaby
October 2, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
I used to write my term papers while at work. Actually, I think I completed all of my assignments while at work and going to school in the evenings. I think this is a LITTLE different though because there is no real financial gain in doing “homework” at work. The first blogger that has people conducting their personal business at work with work equipment, etc. is ethically wrong. That means they have no overhead because someone else is picking up the tab.
By bbb
October 2, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
I have certainly done grad term papers during office hours- and it made me look really busy too. There is just no need to be at work 8 hours a day at a lot of these jobs- so you either complete other tasks or goof off. I need to start daylighting- does anyone have an opportunity that I can start doing during work?
By HCR
October 2, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
If this economy does not improve dramatically…and soon..YES! My daylight job will be looking for a new job until my old job ceases to exist. Thanks alot Mr. President Bush.
By Mike D
October 2, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I did the majority of my studying and term papers while at work. Once you get most jobs down you can do them in a few hours of the day.
By ADL
October 2, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I always wondered what Mike Luckovich’s primary job was.
By Bruce L
October 2, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
HCR - You are a moron I’d be surprised that with that mind of yours you can hold down any job that doesn’t require a paper hat and a name tag. Now stick to the topic and keep your idiotic opinions to yourself.
By honest guy
October 2, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
I’ve worked with someone that ran a construction business on the side while he was suppossed to be doing his real job. It is theft, plain and simple. People that are doing that are stealing from their employer. Sorry, but Bush didn’t make anyone do it. There isn’t an excuse for theft unless your kids are starving. If you hate your job that bad then do your employer a favor and quit.
By Mike D
October 2, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Not only did I do my MBA work while at my job, I used their resources - paper, ink, office supplies, and one quarter (yes GSU used to be on the quarter system) I took a 2 day a week class at mid day w/o telling my boss. Do I feel bad about it? Hell no.
By Kenny
October 2, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
And people wonder why their company isn’t making any money and they’re getting laid off.
By momtoAlex&Max
October 2, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
As a salaried employee, how many times have you had to work weekends, nights, early mornings, etc. all w/o extra pay? For myself, it was many, many times. I felt not one iota of guilt to use a couple of hours here and there to pursue my own business (which I am now able to do full time). Flame me all you want. Employers screw you any chance they get; feel free to return the favor.
By DarkBrown
October 2, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
I wonder if you who are scolding others for working other jobs during working hours are doing it while blogging from work!!!
By noname
October 15, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
I feel like as long as you’re getting your assignements complete there is nothing wrong with doing daylighting on the job….Hell I’m doing it right now I’m at work looking for another job becasue the job I’m on will soon be comming to an end. But my boss will never know because I always go above and beyond the call of duty and do what is expected of me.