For many years now, i have seen burlesque performers have to hide their burlesque careers away from their employers of their day jobs (‘vanilla’ life) as they worry about the impact it has on them. I used to be one of them. So many companies now are switching on to employees with secondary jobs, particularly now disposable income is taking a battering thanks to the credit crunch.
The thing is with burlesque, is quite simply the lack of knowledge on the subject, the amount of risque dancing attributed to it and general ignorance to it as an art form. Some managers dont seem to get the difference between erotic stripping and comedy burlesque. Neither one is horrific but lets not lump it all in together. At least not when it comes to your job. There is a difference between lorry driving and get away driver, despite both being driving roles.
If you are moonlighting as a burlesque performer, wack out your employment contract and read it. I mean really read it. Does it have a exclusivity clause? Does it state you must devote your time to your main employment, does it state you can not have secondary employment. Contractual bans are hard to change and can be the deciding factor in to dismiss or not when it comes out you are a burlesque baby. If your contract does not specifically state you can not have other employment look out for wordings similar to ‘adhere to company policies’. This is a twat of a catch clause. It basically means that should your company suddenly introduce a policy against secondary employment, you have signed to say you will agree to it, but more importantly ensure you comply with it. Bit of a bugger if you are already performing as glitter addiction is a hard one to kick.
Then lets get on to ‘bringing the company into disrepute’. Ahh this nutshell. Basically anything that the employer or its clients (yes even people you may NEVER meet) may see at not in keeping with the company image. This is a very clever clause. It is down to perception. Pure perception of what is bringing disrepute. Sort of like my wonderful friend Wendy who pole dances for fitness. However once she started putting videos up of her doing it online, cue a Human Resources meeting and advised the videos could be misinterpreted and bring the professionalism of the company into question.
I have taught teachers, barristers and policewomen who cant divulge they are having burlesque lessons because of its impact on their professionalism.WOW. Really?
I can understand teachers have to protect themselves more as students will find out all sorts of things, but in a world where I see girls flashing their tits on nights out, giving oral round the back of Biffa Bins (Milton Keynes you do astound me!) it seems professionalism should be sought closer to home. Taking a class in a secluded dance studio is not a question of professionalism. Whilst I have no problems if my child was being taught English by a burlesque moonlighting teacher, I can appreciate some parents may not be happy with this. Still how many of them are the pillars of social propriety I wonder… Dont get me started on the fact teachers are entitled to a social life like everyone else etc.
You really need to start from the moment you even consider burlesque anything other than a little playtime in a dance studio separating everything. That can and should mean different profiles, no cross overs, no cross posting. Never mention your employers by name or association. Keep it separate!
If your employment contract is clear of all clauses and no policy covers moonlighting, be aware of how the news of you being a burlesque performer may be perceived in the workplace. ‘were you performing last night? you look tired’. Those comments may come. Cue a performance review or a little ‘informal’ discussion about ensuring your outside activities dont affect your work. They can and may use this. The only way I can suggest you get around this is: no performing on school nights. Pure and simple. EASY.
Then you have the whole ‘isnt that stripping?’ comments. I cant help you cope with these. The more you say no, the more the ill-advised will persist it is. Just wave it off. You cant teach stupid despite trying to educate.
This isnt an exhaustive list of what can or will stop you being able to moonlight. More a little hint at the mindfield that is contractual agreements and how some employment law can work for and against you.
I have worked on and off in HR since 18 and even qualifications in it no less! There is a lot I know and loads out there to help you further. Read polices thoroughly. You have a right to access them all. Read your contract. Be aware of who you tell, when you tell and how much you tell. No one wants a 1-2-1 meeting in the HR Manager’s office.
