Are you a civil servant but would like to have a side activity? Depending on your public contract, Elora explains today whether or not you can combine the VDI status.
VDI: the perfect activity for extra income
Direct sales is a sector that is attracting more and more people looking for a side activity or additional income. The advantage? The VDI status requires no diploma or experience and allows you to do a job you truly enjoy alongside your main occupation.
What’s more, you choose the VDI company you collaborate with, ensuring you work in a field that inspires you. While VDI can become a full-time career, not everyone wants to leave their regular job on a permanent or fixed-term contract, or as a public agent. In fact, direct sales is perfect for boosting your monthly income!
Can you be a VDI and supplement your income when you’re a civil servant?
While access to VDI status isn’t dependent on age or professional experience, it may depend on your current job. This is the case for civil servants, who are subject to very strict rules regarding holding multiple jobs.
VDI and full-time civil servant: combination not allowed
Unfortunately, since 2016, a full-time civil servant cannot access the status of direct sales representative, as stipulated by the “Déontologie” law:
“The civil servant devotes all of their professional activity to the tasks assigned to them. They may not, on a professional basis, engage in any private, profit-making activity whatsoever (…) [Article 25 septies of law n°83-634 of July 13, 1983].”
This law aims to enhance public service and demonstrate that civil servants are exemplary in carrying out their duties. It therefore prohibits any full-time public agent from combining public employment with a profit-making activity, so they can fully dedicate themselves to their public missions.
Civil servants are also subject to regulations regarding self-employment: they cannot maintain self-employed status for more than two years (or three years under certain conditions).
The public service ethics commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with this law. It examines whether the private or combined activities that public agents wish to pursue are compatible with their current duties.
VDI and part-time civil servant: combination possible!
If the ethics commission reviews requests for additional activities from public agents, it’s because they are allowed in certain cases. Are you a part-time civil servant and want to supplement your income with direct sales? Good news: part-time agents can combine VDI and public employment!
However, several rules must be kept in mind:
- Your part-time work must not exceed 70% of full-time hours
- Your VDI activity must be compatible with your service obligations and must not impact your public work
- You must request written approval from your hierarchical authority. This authority or your supervisor can oppose the continuation of your VDI activity at any time. Internal organizational difficulties or service needs may be cited as reasons.
Part-time civil servant: start your journey in direct sales
Do you have your management’s approval for a side activity? Then you can start in direct sales!
Elora invites you to become a fashion consultant for a committed brand. Our team supports you throughout your career, and you benefit from a training program in direct sales. Our very active community is available to give you advice and help you grow your business.
Learn more about the VDI status at Elora and become a Fashion Consultant.
Finally, many also wonder how the status affects their future: the link between VDI and retirement is worth knowing to anticipate your social protection.
Many candidates also question the compatibility between VDI and unemployment, especially when registering with Pôle emploi.
