Security job only schedules worker 2 days/week at $15/hr, forbids them from taking any other jobs: 'In case someone calls off last minute'

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  • A frustrated man looks at a cell phone at a table
  • My job is only giving me two days a week and my boss just told me "you can't work anywhere else"

    This job is in security and I currently work two days a week (16 hours at $15 an hour). I absolutely have been looking for a second job since my hours. were cut and went on a job interview the other day.
  • Apparently, my boss heard about this and told me "you can't work anywhere else it will interfere with your job here in case someone calls off last minute.". Is this something they can force on me? If an employer is only offering 16 hours a week, can they fire you for looking for additional work?
  • He also said he wants me available in case someone else calls off. I'm not getting paid to be an on call employee which would be more compensation to sit close to the job location and be available 24/7. Is he wrong?
  • Commenters agreed that this was an unreasonable request.

    autumneliteRS Start looking for a new full time job, not a second job. Have you signed anything that mentions not doing other work?
  • sonofacrakr Original Poster's Reply I signed nothing saying I can not work another job.
  • kawaeri OP if you are in the US and you had more hours before this you should stop into your local unemployment office and ask them about constructive dismissal. And if you qualify. One example of Constructive dismissal is when you use to receive say full time hours and then you get cut to part time. If you were full time for a certain amount of time you can apply for unemployment for those hours even while being employed at the same place, but for less hours. Say you had 6 months of 40 hours a
  • A man sits on steps with his head in his hands
  • sonofacrakr Original Poster's Reply I'd rather replace those hours than receive the deducted UC hours which I can't afford. They're not enough in this economy. HI, I'm just replacing the entire job at this point.
  • BigBirdsBrain If they want full availability, they need to pay for it.
  • quast_64 If you are 'on call' 24/7 then he should be paying you for that privilege.
  • Early_Switch1222 HR here. unless you signed a non- compete clause (which would be absolutely wild for a part-time security role at $15/hr) your boss cannot legally stop you from getting another job. what he's describing is on-call availability without paying on-call rates and thats not how any of this works. get that second job and dont tell him about it
  • Nevarstar Do not ever answer calls from your boss when you are off. You aren't required to be on call without on call pay. If you want to pick up the extra shift you can call him back. Don't talk about your other job with your co workers. Unless you signed a contract or take a job that has a conflict of interest it is none of their business what you do in your off time.
  • One_Friend_2575 If they're only giving you 16 hours a week, they don't get to reserve the rest of your time for free. That's basically asking you to be on-call without paying you for it. Unless you signed something very specific (like a non-compete or exclusivity clause, which is rare for a job like that), they usually can't stop you from working elsewhere. And even if they did, enforcing it for a part-time role like this would be questionable.
  • stormtreader1 He's allowed to want whatever he likes, unfortunately if they're not going to pay you to cover fulltime costs then he's going to be disappointed
  • Nyctocincy Most jobs can fire you without reason at all. Get the other job. Sounds like you need it regardless.
  • TheRealGageEndal I have good news for you! You can 100% keep looking for a second job. In fact, if the second job gives you more hours, then the security job is then considered your second job and the new job is your primary job. Also, $15/hr is what they make at McDonalds. You should be looking for $20/hr with a minimum of 32 hours per week. Most construction gigs will give you the amount and will significantly pass the hours. I'm at 28 and 40 right now, but usually I get 60+ hours

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