Can't work two jobs?

[themanz]

Hello,

I need some help. I work in LTC. On Saturday I worked with a COVID positive resident. We got the result after my shift ended. Our unit was on heightened surveillance so we were wearing PPE for all direct care (gowns) and our standard precautions (masks, shield, hand hygiene) through out the shift.

Sunday a voicemail went out twenty minutes before shift telling us there was a positive case on my unit. We wore the same PPE with the exception of N95 masks for direct care. Not required for medication administration but worn on Sunday anyway, but not Saturday as we didn't know they were positive for COVID. 

Out of the goodness of my heart and an abundance of caution I contacted my other job (job 2) to let them know I had been working with a COVID positive resident.

Here's where it's gets interesting. I was told by job 2 that I can't work at their facility until ten days have passed since I was "exposed to COVID". I was offered no financial assistance for my lost shifts at job 2, and as far as I know because I'm still working at job 1 I can't apply for anything from the government. I am in probation at job 2 and can't involve the union.

I sent an email to my DOC tonight to ask her if she knew of any financial assistance programs to apply to while on leave from job 2 - no advice received, I was told "You've been exposed, we spoke to public health, you can't work here right now".

There is no mandate from the MOH preventing me from working in two homes. I was wearing PPE except an N95. I have tested negative on all rapid swabs over the weekend and every day since then.

I just bought a house and need to work two jobs to pay my bills. Like many Ontario nurses a full time job just isn't available to me...
 

What is my next course of action? Pick up as many shifts at job 1? Call public health myself for guidance? Any financial assistance I can apply for?

Let me know what you all think.

[themanz]

Yes the title is a bit misleading. My problem isn't that I can't work two jobs. It's that I can't work my second job and I was expecting to work at two places making full time hours to pay my mortgage. That plan's deceased and no one will tell me how to proceed.

[Lucydog14]

It's not uncommon for facilities to have a rule about staff not moving between settings. You may have to try and pick up as much as you can at job #1.

[londonflo]

You definitely did the right thing by notifying your #2 employer you were exposed to Covid. I am a US registered nurse (although retired) and am so surprised you cannot pick up extra shifts at job #1 after negative tests. 

With regard to your mortgage.. It would be very scary to think about missing a payment. Is this really the house for you if it takes 2 jobs to pay the mortgage or do I not understand the Canadian nurse job/ house market?

I bought the smallest house I could find for my first house.  However I did not have a significant other or children. But to chime in with you,  my down payment and subsequent payments were from overtime.  The house value appreciated, everyone wants 'beginner homes'. This helped me to buy my current home.

I am wishing you all the best. 

[themanz]

Thanks to those who replied.

I actually contacted the local public health unit who told me the same thing... if you're working in an outbreak home you can't work in another home (unless it is also in outbreak for COVID). 

I have been picking up at job #1. I guess I was just stressing out about making enough hours. Being a first time home owner is scary! Everything's been going well with work and the house. I am looking forward to working at my other job again, mainly because I miss the residents.
COVID has been hard on the folks at the home I have been working at. Some are starting to pass away now from the combined effects of the virus and isolation (change of routine). I feel I made the right choice by sticking with the home in outbreak. I have to hope I'm helping a little.  

Regarding the question about my mortgage - the housing market is really hot in Ontario, and I didn't have a huge down payment but I think our mortgage is reasonable. I have a significant other to help with the bills. We really wanted to get into the market, like you explained - it's a good investment. 

thanks again