12 Side Jobs in the UK: Part-Time, Evening and Weekend Work

Taking on a side job can be a practical way to bring in extra money without leaving your main job. You could pick up weekend shifts, work a few evenings, take on temporary assignments or find a regular part-time role that fits around your existing commitments.

There are plenty of types of work to consider, from retail and hospitality to warehouse shifts, cleaning, customer service and care work. The right option depends on when you are available, how much you want to earn and how predictable you need the hours to be.

This guide looks at 12 side jobs to consider, where to look for vacancies and what to check before accepting a second job.

What is a side job?

A side job is additional paid work you do alongside your main job, studies, caring responsibilities or other commitments. It is often a part-time, temporary, casual or shift-based role.

For example, you might work in a shop on Saturdays, cover evening shifts in a restaurant or take on a few hours of remote customer service work each week.

A side job is different from a side hustle:

• Side jobs usually involve working for an employer and being paid for your hours or shifts.
• Side hustles are more likely to involve earning independently, such as freelancing, selling products or running a small business.

Some opportunities sit between the two. Delivery platforms and other gig-work services, for example, may engage people as employees, workers or self-employed contractors. Check the actual working arrangement rather than relying on the label used in an advert.

For independent income ideas, see our guide to side hustles.

12 side jobs to consider

1. Weekend retail assistant

Shops, supermarkets, department stores and other retailers often need staff to cover busy periods, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Typical tasks include serving customers, operating tills, replenishing shelves, organising stock and helping with deliveries.

May suit you if: You can commit to regular weekend shifts and enjoy working with customers.

Check before applying: Whether shifts are fixed or flexible, how many hours are guaranteed and whether you need to work bank holidays.

2. Restaurant, café and catering work

Restaurants, cafés, hotels and catering businesses often need staff to cover busy periods, evenings and weekends.

Roles include waiting staff, kitchen assistants, catering assistants and front-of-house team members. Some venues also recruit extra staff for private functions and events. Age restrictions and licensing rules may apply to certain duties involving alcohol.

May suit you if: You are comfortable working in a busy environment and can work evenings or weekends.

Check before applying: Shift finishing times, transport home, whether tips are included in advertised pay and how service charges or tips are distributed.

3. Warehouse and picking work

Warehouses, distribution centres and fulfilment operations employ people to pick orders, pack goods, sort parcels, load deliveries and manage stock.

Some vacancies offer evening, night or weekend shifts. Temporary work may also become available during particularly busy periods.

May suit you if: You prefer practical work and can manage being on your feet or carrying out repetitive tasks.

Check before applying: Shift lengths, physical requirements, travel costs and whether advertised pay includes bonuses or shift premiums.

4. Cleaning work

Cleaning jobs are available in offices, shops, hotels, schools, leisure facilities and other commercial premises.

Some employers need cleaners early in the morning or after normal business hours, which can make these roles easier to fit around another job.

May suit you if: You want work outside conventional office hours and are comfortable working independently or as part of a small team.

Check before applying: Whether cleaning materials and equipment are provided, the location of each site and whether travel between locations is paid.

5. Customer service and call centre work

Businesses recruit customer service advisers to deal with enquiries, complaints, orders and account questions by telephone, email or online chat.

Some employers offer part-time schedules, evening shifts or weekend cover. A smaller number advertise remote roles, although these can attract significant competition.

May suit you if: You communicate confidently, can use a computer and are comfortable dealing with customers.

Check before applying: Whether the role is genuinely remote, the hours you must be available and whether training is paid.

6. Part-time admin and reception work

Offices, clinics, community organisations, hotels and other businesses sometimes need additional reception or administrative support.

Tasks can include answering calls, booking appointments, updating records, processing paperwork and welcoming visitors.

May suit you if: You are organised, reliable and comfortable using everyday office software.

Check before applying: Whether the employer needs fixed availability during normal working hours or can offer evenings and weekends.

7. Care and support work

Care providers and support organisations recruit people to help older adults, disabled people and others who need assistance with everyday activities.

Roles vary considerably. Some involve residential care shifts, while others involve visiting people in their homes or supporting them in the community.

May suit you if: You are patient, responsible and interested in supporting other people.

Check before applying: Training requirements, background checks, travel between visits, paid travel time and the level of responsibility involved. Do not accept a role unless you understand the duties and feel properly trained to carry them out.

8. Delivery and driving jobs

Some businesses employ part-time drivers or delivery staff to transport goods, food or parcels. Local businesses may also need drivers for specific shifts or busy periods.

However, delivery work is not always an employed side job. Some app-based platforms use different arrangements, including self-employment, and the rights and tax responsibilities can differ.

May suit you if: You have the appropriate driving entitlement, enjoy working independently and can fit the required shifts around your other commitments.

Check before applying: Employment status, insurance requirements, vehicle costs, fuel, maintenance, payment arrangements and whether waiting time is paid.

9. Event staff and venue work

Event venues, conference centres, stadiums, festivals and catering companies recruit additional staff for individual events and busy periods.

Work may include ticket checking, guest assistance, hospitality, catering, setting up spaces and helping visitors find their way around.

May suit you if: You want occasional shifts rather than a fixed weekly commitment.

Check before applying: Whether shifts are guaranteed, how far in advance you receive the rota and how late the event may finish.

10. Tutoring and education support

Tutoring organisations, education providers and some schools recruit people for part-time teaching support, tutoring, mentoring and classroom assistance.

Requirements vary. Some tutoring roles expect relevant subject knowledge or qualifications, while school-based positions may require specific checks and training.

May suit you if: You are confident in a particular subject or have experience supporting children or learners.

Check before applying: Qualification requirements, safeguarding checks, preparation time and whether the role is employed or self-employed.

11. Seasonal and temporary jobs

Employers often recruit additional staff to cover short-term demand, staff holidays or seasonal trading periods.

Opportunities can include retail assistants, warehouse operatives, hospitality staff, festival workers, delivery support and temporary administrative roles.

May suit you if: You can commit to a defined period and do not necessarily need the same hours throughout the year.

Check before applying: The start and end dates, expected weekly hours, pay frequency and whether there is any possibility of further work after the assignment.

12. Evening and night-shift work

Some employers operate outside normal daytime hours and need staff overnight or late in the evening.

Examples include supermarket replenishment, hotel reception, warehouse operations, cleaning and certain customer service roles.

May suit you if: You can work outside standard daytime hours and have a reliable way to travel to and from work.

Check before applying: Shift premiums, transport arrangements, rest periods and how night work will affect your sleep and other commitments.

How to find a side job

You do not necessarily need to register with lots of different recruitment sites. Start with the types of employers and working hours that suit you.

Search for part-time and flexible vacancies

The official GOV.UK Find a Job service lets you search and apply for full-time and part-time vacancies in England, Scotland and Wales.

You can also look at:

• Employer career pages: Supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, hotels, warehouses and local businesses often advertise vacancies directly.
• Recruitment agencies: Useful for temporary, seasonal, warehouse, office and hospitality assignments.
• Local employers: Shops, cafés, leisure centres and other businesses may advertise vacancies on their own websites or premises.
• Public-sector vacancies: Organisations such as the NHS, local councils and other public bodies recruit for part-time administration, support and other roles.

Try searching for terms such as:

• Part-time jobs
• Weekend jobs
• Evening jobs
• Saturday jobs
• Flexible shifts
• Temporary jobs
• Casual work
• Night shifts
• Seasonal jobs

Use your location and the hours you can genuinely work to narrow down the results.

Ask your current employer about extra hours

Before applying for a second job, it may be worth checking whether your existing employer offers overtime, additional shifts or opportunities to cover staff absences.

This can be simpler than starting another job because you already know the business, the working environment and the people you work with.

However, check that the additional hours are manageable and that you are paid correctly.

Register with a recruitment agency

Agencies can be useful when you want temporary or short-term work. Depending on the agency, you may be able to register your availability and receive offers for assignments that fit your schedule.

Check the pay rate, expected hours, workplace location and contract arrangements before accepting an assignment.

Recruitment agencies generally cannot charge you a fee simply for finding or trying to find you work. They may offer separate paid services, but cannot make you use those services as a condition of finding work. Different rules apply to entertainment and modelling agencies.

Read the official guidance on agency-worker fees before paying for any recruitment-related service.

What should you check before accepting a second job?

Taking on extra work can increase your income, but you should understand the practical and legal implications before committing.

Check your current employment contract

Look for clauses covering:

• Working for another employer
• Permission to take on additional work
• Conflicts of interest
• Confidentiality
• Competition with your current employer

Some restrictions may be legitimate, particularly where a second job could create a conflict of interest or affect your ability to do your existing role.

However, certain exclusivity clauses are prohibited. For example, employers cannot use them to prevent workers on zero-hours contracts or workers earning at or below the relevant lower earnings limit from taking other work.

Do not assume every restriction is enforceable or that every second job is automatically allowed. Check your contract and seek advice from Acas if you are unsure.

Keep track of your combined working hours

For most adult workers, the average working week should not exceed 48 hours across all jobs, normally measured over a 17-week reference period.

This means you can work more than 48 hours in an individual week, provided your average stays within the limit over the relevant period.

You can choose to opt out of the 48-hour limit by signing an agreement, but you cannot normally be forced to do so. Some jobs have exceptions or different reference periods.

Workers are also generally entitled to rest periods, including:

• Daily rest: 11 consecutive hours between working days.
• Weekly rest: 24 uninterrupted hours without work each week, or 48 uninterrupted hours each fortnight.
• Rest breaks: An uninterrupted 20-minute break when working for more than six hours in a day.

Exceptions and alternative arrangements can apply to certain types of work, sometimes with compensatory rest.

Think about the time you spend travelling, changing shifts and recovering between them. Even where a schedule appears possible on paper, regularly working long hours can become difficult to sustain.

Read the official guidance on maximum weekly working hours and rest breaks.

Understand how a second job affects your tax

If you have two employed jobs, your income from both is considered when working out how much Income Tax you owe.

For the 2026/27 tax year, the standard Personal Allowance is £12,570. You only receive one Personal Allowance for the tax year, not a separate allowance for every job.

HMRC will usually allocate your Personal Allowance to the job that pays you the most. Your second job may therefore use a different tax code, such as BR, depending on your circumstances.

Your employer should ask you to complete a starter checklist when you begin a new job if you do not have a P45 from that employer. Make sure you accurately declare that you already have another job.

Your payslip may show tax being deducted from a particular pay period even if your total income for the year is expected to be below the Personal Allowance. This can happen when earnings vary or tax codes have not been updated correctly.

Check your payslips and use your HMRC Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app if you think your tax code is wrong.

These rules apply to employed income through PAYE. If you also earn through a genuinely self-employed activity, such as some platform or freelance work, different reporting and tax rules can apply.

For more detail, read HMRC's guide to tax when you have more than one job.

Check your pay and employment rights

For most workers, the legal minimum hourly rate depends on age and whether they qualify for the apprentice rate.

The rates in force from 1 April 2026 are:

You must have reached school leaving age to qualify for the National Minimum Wage. The apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19 and to apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. Other apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed their first year are generally entitled to the minimum wage for their age.

Rates are reviewed and change on 1 April each year. Check the latest National Minimum Wage rates.

Almost all workers are also entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave each year. Part-time workers receive a proportionate entitlement based on their working pattern. Holiday entitlement also applies to most temporary and casual workers.

If you work through an agency, you should understand who employs you and who is responsible for paying you. Agency workers have certain rights from the first day of an assignment. After 12 weeks in the same job with the same hirer, they will generally qualify for equal treatment with comparable directly recruited workers in areas such as pay and annual leave. Specific rules and exceptions can apply.

You can read more about agency workers' rights and holiday entitlement.

Consider the effect on Universal Credit

You can work and receive Universal Credit, and there is no fixed limit on the number of hours you can work.

However, your wages can reduce your monthly Universal Credit payment. For most claimants without a work allowance, the payment reduces by 55p for every £1 earned. Different rules apply where a work allowance is available.

Most employers report PAYE wages to HMRC, which are normally used to calculate your Universal Credit. Check how an additional job could affect your total monthly income before committing to extra hours.

Use a benefits calculator and read the official guidance on how wages affect Universal Credit. Our Universal Credit guide explains the wider rules.

How to choose the right side job

The highest advertised hourly rate is not necessarily the best option. A job that fits your schedule, has reliable hours and involves a manageable commute may be more useful than one that pays slightly more but creates additional costs or stress.

Before applying, consider:

1. Your availability: Decide which days and hours you can reliably commit to.
2. Travel: Calculate the cost and time involved in getting to and from work.
3. Guaranteed hours: Check whether the employer offers regular hours or only occasional shifts.
4. Payment: Understand the hourly rate, pay frequency, overtime arrangements and any deductions.
5. Flexibility: Find out how much notice you receive for shifts and whether you can decline additional work.
6. Sustainability: Make sure the combined schedule leaves enough time for sleep, rest and your other responsibilities.

A regular six-hour weekend job may be more useful than a role offering unpredictable shifts that you cannot consistently accept.

Are side jobs worth it?

A second job can be worthwhile when the extra income makes a meaningful difference and the hours fit around your existing life.

It can help you build a financial buffer, save towards a particular goal, pay down debt or cover additional expenses. However, calculate what you are likely to keep after tax, travel, childcare, work-related costs and any changes to benefits.

Be realistic about the time commitment. Extra shifts can be useful in the short term, but working too many hours can affect your health, relationships and performance in your main job.

If you need to increase your income but cannot commit to another employer, there are other options to explore. See our guides to side hustles, money-making apps and making money fast.

Watch out for side job scams

Be careful with vacancies that promise unusually high pay for very little work, especially when the employer provides few details about the actual role.

Look out for warning signs such as:

• Being asked to pay upfront to secure a job or receive work.
• Requests to transfer money, process payments or receive parcels on someone else's behalf.
• An employer asking for your bank login details or security codes.
• A job offer made without a credible interview or explanation of the work.
• Pressure to share identity documents or financial details before you have verified the employer.

Check the business independently, use its official website and read the terms before accepting an offer. Never use your personal bank account to move money for an employer or someone you have only met online.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best side job in the UK?

There is no single best side job for everyone. Retail, hospitality, warehouse work, cleaning, customer service and temporary assignments can all provide additional paid hours. The best option depends on your availability, location, experience and how predictable you need your income to be.

Can I have two jobs at the same time?

Yes, you can usually work for more than one employer. Check your existing contract for any relevant restrictions, consider possible conflicts of interest and make sure your combined working hours comply with working-time rules.

Do I have to tell my employer about a second job?

Not in every case. However, your contract may require you to disclose additional employment or obtain permission. You should check the terms before accepting another role.

Can I work a second job while receiving Universal Credit?

Yes. There is no fixed limit on the number of hours you can work while claiming Universal Credit. Your earnings can reduce your payment, so check the effect on your overall income.

Can I have a second job if I work full-time?

Yes, provided you can manage the combined hours and meet any relevant contractual requirements. Consider your rest periods and the 48-hour average working week limit.

Are weekend jobs easy to find?

There are weekend opportunities in retail, hospitality, events, cleaning, warehousing and other sectors. Availability depends on your location and the time of year. Search for weekend-specific vacancies and check whether the employer expects regular availability.

Do temporary and agency workers get holiday pay?

Most workers, including agency workers, are entitled to statutory paid holiday. The way holiday entitlement and pay are calculated can depend on whether hours are regular or irregular.

Do I pay more tax because I have two jobs?

Not automatically. Income from both jobs is considered together when calculating your Income Tax. You may pay more tax because your combined earnings are higher or because they take you into a higher tax band. You do not receive a separate Personal Allowance for each job.

Explore more ways to earn

A second job is one way to bring in extra money, but it is not the only option. You could also explore independent work, online opportunities and other ways to improve your income.

• Explore side hustles
• Discover money-making apps
• Explore the Monzenta Planner
• Need help with money urgently?

Monzenta helps you explore and compare different ways to improve your finances. Opportunities, availability, eligibility and potential earnings vary, and additional income is never guaranteed.