Barnet’s Sally Bodum Prosecuted for Dual Jobs at Croydon Council

Key Points

• Sally Bodum, a former Business Support Officer in Barnet Council’s Family Services department, was prosecuted for simultaneously holding two full-time jobs with Barnet Council and Croydon Council.
• The case was flagged during a National Fraud Initiative (NFI) exercise in July 2024, revealing her dual full-time employment in Barnet’s Family Services and Croydon Council’s Housing department.
• Bodum faced prosecution for ‘polygamous working’, a term used to describe holding multiple full-time roles concurrently.
• An investigation confirmed she was juggling the roles secretly, leading to her dismissal from Barnet Council.
• The case highlights concerns over public sector fraud detection and employee accountability in local government.
• No specific financial details on overpayments or losses were disclosed in initial reports, but it prompted a review of council employment practices.

Council worker prosecuted for holding two full-time jobs simultaneously, sparking debate on public sector ethics and fraud prevention.

A former Barnet Council employee has been prosecuted after an investigation uncovered she was secretly working two full-time jobs for different London councils. Sally Bodum, who served as a Business Support Officer in Barnet’s Family Services department, was also employed full-time by Croydon Council in its Housing department. The discovery came via a routine National Fraud Initiative check in July 2024, leading to her prosecution for what authorities termed ‘polygamous working’.

This case, first detailed in a MyLondon article, underscores growing scrutiny on dual employment in the public sector. As reported by MyLondon journalists, the investigation exposed how Bodum managed both roles without disclosure, raising questions about oversight in local government staffing.

Who is Sally Bodum and What Roles Did She Hold?

Sally Bodum worked as a Business Support Officer within Barnet Council’s Family Services department, a role typically demanding full-time commitment to administrative and support tasks for vulnerable families. Simultaneously, as uncovered by the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), she held a full-time position in Croydon Council’s Housing department, handling housing-related administrative duties.

According to the MyLondon report published on their North London news section, the NFI exercise in July 2024 flagged Bodum’s dual employment. The NFI, a national data-matching programme run by the Cabinet Office, cross-references public sector payroll and pension data to detect fraud, errors, and irregularities. This match revealed her listings on both councils’ full-time payrolls, prompting Barnet Council to launch a formal investigation.

Barnet Council confirmed Bodum’s dismissal following the probe. No direct quotes from Bodum appear in available reports, but council statements emphasise the breach of employment terms prohibiting undisclosed second jobs.

How Was the Dual Employment Discovered?

The breach surfaced through the National Fraud Initiative’s automated data checks. As detailed in MyLondon’s coverage, the July 2024 NFI scan identified Bodum as an anomaly—listed as a full-time employee across two separate local authorities.

NFI spokesperson statements, referenced in the MyLondon article, highlight the programme’s role in safeguarding public funds: “The NFI helps public sector bodies identify potential fraud and errors by matching data across organisations.” Barnet Council’s internal review substantiated the findings, confirming Bodum was not transparent about her Croydon role.

Croydon Council has not publicly commented on personnel details, but the cross-council data match ensured swift action. This incident demonstrates the efficacy of national fraud prevention tools in local government.

What Does ‘Polygamous Working’ Mean in This Context?

Prosecutors labelled Bodum’s actions as ‘polygamous working’, a colloquial term for holding multiple full-time salaried positions akin to ‘job polygamy’. MyLondon reporters noted this phrasing in court proceedings, where it described the unethical juggling of roles that violate standard employment contracts.

Legal experts, as cited indirectly in the coverage, explain that UK public sector contracts typically bar employees from secondary full-time jobs without approval, due to conflicts of interest and performance risks. Bodum’s case marks a rare prosecution, setting a precedent for enforcement.

Councils mandate disclosure of second jobs, with disciplinary action for non-compliance. This term gained traction in media to dramatise the severity, though formally it falls under fraud or misconduct regulations.

What Were the Consequences for Sally Bodum?

Bodum faced prosecution after Barnet Council’s investigation. MyLondon reports confirm her dismissal from Barnet, with Croydon likely taking similar steps, though specifics remain unconfirmed.

No sentencing details emerged in initial coverage, but the case proceeded through formal channels. Barnet Council stated: “We take all allegations of fraud seriously and cooperate fully with investigations.” Financial recovery, if any overpayments occurred, was not quantified publicly.

The prosecution serves as a deterrent, with Bodum’s name now public, impacting future employability.

Why Did Barnet Council Launch an Investigation?

Barnet Council acted promptly upon the NFI alert. As per their official response in the MyLondon piece, the council’s fraud team verified payroll records, employment contracts, and Bodum’s declarations.

Spokespeople emphasised commitment to integrity: “Employees are required to declare any second jobs, and failure to do so is a serious breach.” The probe confirmed no prior disclosure, leading to dismissal and referral for prosecution.

This aligns with Barnet’s zero-tolerance fraud policy, bolstered by NFI participation.

How Does This Case Highlight Public Sector Fraud Risks?

This incident exposes vulnerabilities in manual oversight of public sector employment. MyLondon’s analysis notes that without NFI, Bodum’s dual roles might have persisted undetected, potentially costing taxpayers through duplicated salaries.

Experts estimate public sector fraud at billions annually, with employment scams a key area. Councils like Barnet and Croydon now face calls for enhanced checks.

The case fuels debate on ‘quiet quitting’ versus outright fraud, with Bodum’s full-time status tipping it into criminal territory.

What Steps Are Councils Taking to Prevent Similar Cases?

Post-incident, Barnet Council reviewed its processes. As reported by MyLondon, they reaffirmed NFI engagement and internal audits.

Broader measures include mandatory second-job declarations, digital monitoring, and training. Croydon Council, implicated indirectly, likely bolstered similar protocols.

Government guidelines urge annual NFI participation, crediting it for £500 million in savings since inception.

Has This Sparked Wider Debate on Employee Side Hustles?

The story ignited online discussions on platforms linked from MyLondon, questioning side hustle ethics in strained economies. Critics argue full-time dual roles exploit public trust, while defenders cite underpayment issues.

Unions like Unison have not commented specifically, but general stances support regulated second jobs. Barnet residents voiced concerns over service impacts.

What Is the National Fraud Initiative’s Role in Local Government?

NFI, administered by the Cabinet Office, matches data from over 1,000 public bodies yearly. MyLondon detailed its July 2024 cycle uncovering Bodum’s case among thousands.

Participating councils recover funds and refine processes. A Cabinet Office report credits NFI with preventing £341 million in fraud last year.

Are There Similar Cases in London Councils?

MyLondon’s North London focus notes this as prominent, but parallels exist. Past NFI hauls include ghost employees elsewhere, though Bodum’s ‘polygamous’ label is unique.

Barnet and Croydon join efforts like the London Councils’ fraud hub for shared intelligence.

What Can Employees Learn from Sally Bodum’s Prosecution?

Public sector workers must disclose second jobs per contract terms. Bodum’s oversight—failing to notify either council—led to downfall.

HR advice stresses transparency to avoid misconduct charges. This case warns against assuming remote work hides dual roles.