changing job?

Would you change your job ( manager) from hospitality sector ( small firm , 5 employees) working 5 days a week, 14 hrs a day to become a taxi driver, taking in account that my earning is about 800 euro/ week after tax. would I be able to match this amount working in the taxi industry and also having more flexible time ?

I would not leap into taxi driving if I had never done it before. Could you not maybe work part time at weekend/nights to see if it suits you first and get a feel for the business?

Working 14 hours per day on a consistent basis is in breach of employment legislation:

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If you got/get overtime:
14 hours a day would give 5 hours of over time (based on a one hour lunch break). So with OT that’s 16.5 pay hours a day. That’s 82.5 pay hours a week. Net hourly rate €800/82.5 = €9.7. So your hourly rate (before tax) is about €13 an hour assuming that you are on the top tax bracket and don’t have anyone else’s tax credits.
Basically you are working long hours for low pay (for a manager).

You should earn that sort of money as a taxi driver working fewer hours but make sure you like the work and can deal with being self employed.

never done it before clubman, but investing 7k in licence without the insurance wouldn't be a little bit too much for the week-ends?
the idea is that I like to do what I'm doing but beeing in a small company you never know what is happening in the future, they could close down the business tomorrow or in 10 years time and I still have 27 years mortgage.

korpy said:

never done it before clubman, but investing 7k in licence without the insurance wouldn't be a little bit too much for the week-ends?

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Do you have to do this if you cosy/rent a spot part time?

i was thinking to do it just to spend more time with the family, also to be more flexible with my time, like dropping kids in school , this way my wife could get a job as well because I would have the option to work when she is home .

Do you know any taxi drivers personally that you could talk to about the ups & downs of the job?

2 of my brothers are taxi drivers & it seems to be a job that suits some people & not others.

Could you do it on a trial basis, keep your job & work nights?

The one concern I have about it is probably the same issue for anyone who is self employed. one brother had an extended period of serious illness so no income. He lived on savings & help from the family for the year.

I don't know any taxi driver that's why I try to find out more before I would make any move.

Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation
48 Summerhill Parade
Dublin 1

Contact: Martin Morris
Tel: 01 855 1487 / 836 4166
Fax: 01 836 4415


You can try these fellas, hope they can help. The hours you work are too long, maybe you should address this with your manager.