Department Limiting Other Employement

[robs411]

I am in the hiring process with a fire department and was contacted by their human resources person. She stated they have an SOG that does not allow any work as a firefighter (volunteer or regular), work for outside ems system, in a hospital, etc.

This struck me as a little extreme as I know of several firefighters that work for the hospital / ems system on their days off. Is it legal for them to enforce this? Severally limits your right to work.

I can understand the limit on additional firefighting work as if you were hurt on the job which insurance / pension pays etc. But to limit all associated work???

[FiremanLyman]

It is their contract, they can limit you to whatever they want as long at it doesn't violate your civil liberties. If they have it in contract that you must wear pink underwear as a term of employment, then you wear pink underwear to keep your job.

Not saying I agree with this term of employment (outside work, not the underwear) but it is what it is.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

It's their rules and may be part of the contract with the IAFF local.. If you want the job, you have to abide by them.

[LaFireEducator]

Sheriff's office here does not allow thier deputies to work or volunteer for fire or EMS.

It's thier show. You just have to play by thier rules.

[RFDACM02]

I am in the hiring process with a fire department and was contacted by their human resources person. She stated they have an SOG that does not allow any work as a firefighter (volunteer or regular), work for outside ems system, in a hospital, etc.

This struck me as a little extreme as I know of several firefighters that work for the hospital / ems system on their days off. Is it legal for them to enforce this? Severally limits your right to work.

I can understand the limit on additional firefighting work as if you were hurt on the job which insurance / pension pays etc. But to limit all associated work???

It's got to be something allowed or disallowed state to state. I'm pretty certain it wouldn't fly here. I've been to many municipal employment seminars (hazard of the job or my turn in the barrel) where the municipal law experts tell us that making employees sign contracts is often not upheld in court. It's a manner of putting a new person under duress. As an officer if I make a newbie read a policy then sign it swearing to abide by it, he/she feels that they are not able to not sign as it might jeopardize their job, especially being a probationary "at will" employee.

Now I say state by state as I understand some states allow the Union to make rules the employer must enforce upon other employee's. Here, you cannot be forced to be a member of the union.

I'd think long and hard.

[JoeMZ191]

Another way to look at this; If you're working your part time gig and get permanently disabled, you're pretty well screwed. It's a very common practice here in Michigan. Most career department prohibit any off duty emergency services jobs. Both paid and volunteer.

[GTRider245]

Sounds like a load of you know what to me. But, if you want the job THEY are offering, you have to play by THIER rules.

[ScareCrow57]

If you don't like the terms of employment than don't take the job

[Golzy12]

If you don't like the terms of employment than don't take the job

You said something I actually agree with...

[BKDRAFT]

Typically you can put in for a request for outside employment once your hired and off probation.

[ScareCrow57]

You said something I actually agree with...

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day...

[CaptOldTimer]

No probationary employees are allowed to work a part time job.

If members work part time, they job must not interfere with or conflict with the fire department job.

They must first obtained permission from fire administration before they begin that part time work.

A few jobs are prohibited to begin with.