Do You Have a Right to Moonlight?

DEAR JOYCE: My chances of getting a raise this year from my current employer are zero. So I need to take a second job to keep paying my mortgage. The company's policy is "no moonlighting." Can a company legally enforce such a rule? -- C.G.

Many employers have problems with second work schedules. They may worry about the disclosure of competitive secrets to another firm, or whether moonlighters will be too worn out to do their primary job right.

Assuming you're an "at will" employee (no union or employment contract), your employer probably can exert exclusivity claims. But for a definitive answer in your state, check with a local employment lawyer.

The reality is that unless you want to sue, it's immaterial whether an employer has the legal right to forbid you to take a job. If you become a two-paycheck person and your unhappy employer finds out about it, many pretexts can be found to judge your work unsatisfactory and dismiss you.

Consider a strategy that will work in some -- certainly not all -- situations: Convince your employer, preferably in a group presentation, that moonlighting does the company no harm and may, in fact, benefit it. Among reasons why it's a benefit, not a loss:

-- You'll learn transferable cost-saving moves at another company.

-- The added income you'll earn will protect your employer's training investment in you.

Add that you value your job, are a loyal team player and will always give your primary employer top priority on your time and energy.

DEAR JOYCE: I have a professional job but the bills are bigger than I am. What can you suggest as a moonlighting job? -- J.R.R.

Remember that the key to happy multiple jobholding is fitting the second work schedule in with something you like to do. Otherwise you risk living life on a hamster wheel.

If you're art-minded, for example, you could seek a job in a framing shop or gallery.

Like fashion? Locate a source of closeout clothing and sell the merchandise at large swap meets and house parties.

Hands-on handy work? Outfit garages with storage facilities and small-business owners with home offices.

Sports? Train to be a Little League umpire.

Music? Teach it to paying students.

Sales? Run weekend yard sales and small estate auctions.

If no brilliant ideas fall into place through self-analysis, scour libraries for moonlighting books with lists of part-time jobs. Visit the job search engine Simply Hired (simplyhired.com).

DEAR JOYCE: I work at an amusement park. My company is using me as a supervisor most days, but due to little money, they won't give me the title or pay. I only care about the title because this job is only summertime, but it would look good on my resume. My dad says to put "supervisor" on my resume and attach a copy of my schedule. (It lists me as supervisor.) What do you say? -- J.G.

I understand why your dad thinks job-title inflation is defensible under the circumstances, but here's the risk: Anyone who checks your references will be told your actual job title, and your claim to a supervisor job title will be seen as untrue. Not good.

You could add the following parenthetical comment after your job title: (De facto supervisor, as my work-schedule record documents.)

Or you could approach your boss and say that you'd appreciate a title change recorded in your personnel file. Say it's only fair that the record reflects your actual contribution. (Most people like to be thought of as fair-minded.) Mention that you're not soliciting a raise. If you win your request, before leaving for the year, check your personnel file to be certain that the upgrade has been made.