There are no legal restrictions on the number of jobs you are allowed to work at one time. However, if you already have a full-time job and want to work in another, check your current employment contract or talk to the human resources department. Some contracts contain language that prohibits you from working a second job. Are you currently working or are you considering a second job because you feel like you're not earning enough money? If so, you've probably wondered if I can be fired for having a second job.
Employees in states that wish to do so may be terminated at any time for any legal reason. However, most employers don't prohibit employees from working a second job as long as it's not for a competitor and as long as it doesn't affect their availability or job performance. But there's much more to know about working a second job and what an employer can legally do about it. And those of you who live in states at will, have other things to consider, which we will discuss below.
Moonlighting is relatively common and, according to the United States,. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.9% of workers have multiple jobs. Moonlighting is a term used to refer to having a second job outside normal working hours. Moonlighting policies vary by employer, but may require disclosure and approval of secondary employment.
How can you detect moonlighting as a business owner? Employers' reactions to moonlighting can vary widely. Some employers couldn't care less, as long as it doesn't interfere with job performance or conflict with their values, and you don't work with a competitor. Some employers agree to moonlighting, but have policies that require the disclosure and approval of outside employment. If you work for an employer that prohibits moonlighting and you get a second job, you can be fired.
That's why it's important to contact your employer and read the employee handbook to familiarize yourself with company policy. If moonlighting isn't strictly prohibited, talk to your employer about your desire to get a second job. However, it's always best to be honest with your employer. It says a lot not only about your work ethic, but also about your integrity.
And who knows, if you're a valuable employee and just want to earn a little extra money, they might even offer you a raise or give you more hours. While there is no specific law prohibiting moonlighting, it can be governed by your employer's policies. Public employees may be subject to federal laws and agency regulations, depending on position and classification. Even so, federal laws do not necessarily prohibit moonlighting, but rather prohibit accepting a second job that could be unethical, since it causes a conflict of interest, either because of the source of income or the type of work that the job involves.
Below, I list the states that fall within the territory at will. However, in a recent article, I went much deeper into at-will laws, how they vary from state to state, and what they mean for both employees and employers. I even get into wrongful dismissal, what does that mean and what to do about it, if it happens to you. And if that second job seems to violate the company's ideas of trust or ownership, not only could they fire you, but they could also sue you.
Therefore, not only can they prohibit moonlighting, but they can also prohibit the use of the company's time and resources in connection with secondary jobs and activities. It's also important to know if you're an “at-will” employee. An at-will employee can be fired at any time and for any reason, with some exceptions that would violate federal employment law, such as discrimination. You're most likely an “at-will” employee, since all states recognize at-will employment, with some states having limitations, in addition to federal law.
Many states have several limitations and restrictions when it comes to at-will employment. If you live in one of the states on the list, you should review those laws and regulations regarding employee rights. No, it's not illegal to have two jobs. Even if you're not stealing trade secrets or clients, if your second job is in the same field as your main job, it might seem like you're working for a competitor and therefore sharing trade secrets.
In fact, the second job may have hired you specifically in the hope that they would discover some inside secrets about your competition. So, be very careful about the person you choose to work for on your second job to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. Finally, as we'll see later, also make sure that your employer doesn't prohibit second employment or have restrictions that you should be aware of before accepting a second job. Ultimately, there are many reasons why an employer may fire an employee.
But one that may surprise you is gossip. Think of it this way: Employers are investing in their employees and want them to be at their best. If you have a second job, you're likely to burn out and drop the quality of your work. Then, all of a sudden, your employer pays the same amount of money for poor work.
It could also be a conflict of interest. Employers don't want their employees to work for the competition, directly or indirectly. Even if you're not selling trade secrets or stealing customers, it might look like you are. As a result, they'll want to know what type of work you're doing and who you're doing it for, so they can decide if it could be harmful to their business.
When I worked for Whole Foods Market, they didn't prohibit employees from having a second job. The GIG (general information guide) also clarified that the schedule of a second job was expected to be coordinated around the employee's Whole Foods schedule and not the other way around. However, Whole Foods was very clear about working for the competition or for anyone where a conflict of interest might exist. There, the GIG states that they prohibit all employees from working for “a direct competitor, vendor or supplier”.
This may not seem like a big deal if you're a waiter at your first or second job. But if you work in software, for example, and take on other software development work, things can get blurred when it comes to ideas and who those ideas actually belong to. Let's not forget the aspect of loyalty, either. Chances are, your employer has spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to train you properly and make sure you have the resources you need to do your job for them.
If you're using that training and resources in a second job, your employer could feel betrayed or annoyed. In addition, as you saw in my previous example from my days at Whole Foods, his GIG book clearly states: “as long as he or she can effectively meet performance standards.”. That means they won't fire you for having a second job. But they can fire you if your performance and overall quality of work decline.
There have been times in my life when I have had 2 jobs (like writing this blog). Sometimes it is necessary to put food on the table. So, if you're financially forced to have two jobs, simply take steps to ensure that you can give the best performance to both of you; especially your primary employer. Finally, also keep in mind that moonlighting can be a nuisance.
You'll have another job to go to work at, less free time, less time with friends and tax repercussions. As a result, your mental and physical health could worsen. If you don't take care of yourself, both your primary and secondary jobs could be affected, and then you could be fired from both because you're doing a poor job. Moonlighting isn't uncommon, especially when you're younger and have just started looking for a career.
If you decide to get a second job, you should talk to your primary employer and make sure that company policy doesn't prohibit moonlighting. If moonlighting is not prohibited, choose a second job that is very different from the main one, just to avoid any chance of giving the impression that something nefarious is happening. Of course, a second job isn't the only thing that could lead to problems with your employer. As a Dasher, you'll be your own boss and enjoy the flexibility to choose when, where and how much you earn.
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All you need is a means of transportation and a smartphone to start earning money. Can you be fired for looking for another job? (Maybe, here's why) Sometimes a job just isn't right for us and we've decided to look somewhere else while we're still employed. If that's the case for you, you might be wondering if you can be fired for looking for another job. This is what.
Can I be fired for asking for a raise? (Maybe, here's why). For example, if your main job requires you to be on call, if you're driving an Uber passenger, it might be difficult to show up immediately to your main job. Community of interest means that your values are closely aligned with either job or it's hard to justify why you're employed in two different types of jobs. Nobody mentioned it, but I thought it would be interesting to know if OP's friend is really as productive as three people who work 8 hours each.
Are you doing your job as expected in your office work? If this results in the same amount of work being done that I would be doing if I were only working on one job, it certainly doesn't seem unethical, although I realize that using the company's resources for anything other than the company's business would violate an agreement, at least. Even if your second job doesn't jeopardize your position with your primary employer, maintain your integrity as a loyal employee and consider the optics of working a second job that leaves others to speculate on whether you have compromised your ethics or principles. . .
