Don't tell the manager about your second job

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My colleagues and I were sitting around complaining about the schedule as usual. My manager has a tendency to ignore our requested days off so this is a common occurrence. One of my coworkers was particularly upset because she said that the schedule interferes with her per diem job and everyone just kinda went silent. One of the senior nurses was like, "Be careful who you say that around. You don't want that to get back to the manager." Why would the manager care if a nurse had a per diem job on the side? I think most of the nurses have a part time job or a per diem job or some kind of side hustle. Are we not supposed to have second jobs? Can our manager somehow penalize us for that? Is it even her business what we do when we're not working?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've worked in a handful of facilities that strongly discouraged moonlighting. Why? Potential conflict of interest. They also were afraid we might give away their "trade secrets" to competitors. No, it really isn't the employer's business what a nurse does outside working hours, so it's best to be discreet about having a second job.

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I worked at a hospital where most nurses did have other jobs as well (even with other hospitals). It was common knowledge and never seemed to be a big deal.

I guess it depends on the hospital.

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Some employers will strongly discourage you from working for their competition. Some may even make it part of your employment requirements. I feell that as long as I do it on my own time, and it causes no issue, it's none of their business. Granted my manager has pretty much always known about my other jobs, but has never given me a hassle about it. Of course I have yet to take a day off from my full time job to work my part time job. I wouldn't risk my full time job for my PT job ever.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I have two jobs and while I do not make it a pain for either employer it is my right to do so. I could care less what they think. I pay my bills!

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I have two jobs and while I do not make it a pain for either employer it is my right to do so. I could care less what they think. I pay my bills!

This is my attitude about this and also the attitude of every other nurse in a similar position that I have ever discussed this with. Everybody has always agreed that it is our own business how we earn our living.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Another reason some facilities hate it when you have a 2nd job is that it will reduce your schedule flexibility. You may be less able to work extra hours or to switch your schedule on short notice. That decreases your value as an employee. So even when there is no strict policy against it, a Manager might not like knowing that you have another job.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Did not mean to sound harsh but will my first employer (primary one) help me pay my mortgage if I am short? If not then it so none of their businesses as long as I am a law abiding tax-paying citizen. I also meet all the qualifications of my job and only call in sick if I really am sick!

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Where I work when we do our yearly conflict of interest survey we have to disclose if we have a second job.

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