A housing employee at Croydon Council has been convicted after it was discovered that she held a second full-time job with another London local authority. Sally Bodom, who was employed by Croydon Council’s housing department since July 2016, was dismissed after it emerged she had also been working full-time for Barnet Council.
Bodom was able to maintain “hybrid” working arrangements for two years, convincing managers at both councils that she was giving her full attention to her role while working remotely. During this period, she received paychecks from both Croydon and Barnet, despite contracts at both councils prohibiting undeclared secondary employment.
A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “We will not tolerate staff taking on secondary employment which has not been approved by the council. We take a proactive approach on detecting possible signs of dual working.” However, the council did not provide details on the measures used to detect such activity.
The fraud was uncovered after Barnet Council discovered multiple paychecks and launched an investigation. Bodom’s conduct was described in court as “polygamous working,” the act of holding multiple full-time positions simultaneously.
She pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation and one count of fraud by failure to disclose at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Bodom was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete unpaid work, rehabilitation activities, and pay £10,000 in fines to Barnet Council. Croydon Council will not receive any financial restitution.
Barnet Council stated that Bodom’s salary during her employment there exceeded £60,000. Her contract, like Croydon’s, prohibited undeclared additional employment that could interfere with her duties.
Barry Rawlings, Labour leader of Barnet Council, commented: “This prosecution highlights the seriousness of this modern-day fraud of polygamous working and will serve as a strong deterrent.”
