When we’re off the clock, most of us want to relax, loosen up, and get some mental and physical distance from our jobs. In healthcare, that time is crucial for avoiding burnout and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. But as important as it is to spend time away from work, sometimes an employee’s actions while off the clock can impact their career. In some cases, this may involve small but steady changes that add up to a cumulative shift. In others, your actions could get you fired. So how do you know what off-the-clock behaviors can affect your career?
Because Washington and Oregon are at-will employment states, your employer can let you go for any reason as long as they are not violating employee protection laws. Your employer also cannot fire you in retaliation for exercising a protected right, filing a complaint, or other protected actions.
Generally, your employer will only care about what you do in your off time under a few circumstances:
While employers have a lot of power in deciding when to hire or fire employees, certain off-the-clock behaviors raise a red flag with virtually any employer.
If your employer finds out you have violated the company’s anti-harassment policy while off-the-clock, they may decide to take action against you at work. This can cover a wide variety of actions, either against other employees or people not employed by your clinic.
Generally, your employer doesn’t have much of a say over what you do in your free time. However, if you drink while off the clock but show up to work still affected by alcohol, your employer has the right to take action. In a clinical setting, this can be especially dangerous for patients.
If any of your actions in your off hours violate your company’s anti-discrimination policy, you may find yourself disciplined or even fired.
In short, it’s wise to consider how your behaviors may reflect on yourself and your employer, even when you’re off the clock. Consider whether your actions could plausibly hurt your clinic’s image, discourage patients from seeking care, or otherwise harm your job performance.
There are certainly many behaviors that can have a negative impact on your career. But what about the off-the-clock choices that can make a positive change? The following behaviors might be simple, but they can profoundly affect your career and your lifestyle in general.
Balanced meals, moderate exercise, and restful sleep make a huge difference in enriching our lives. They help us stay physically healthier, emotionally happier, and give us the energy to face the day—whether it’s a busy shift at your clinic or a lazy day at the beach. When you’re physically and emotionally healthy, you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm to bring to your job. Your career will quickly benefit when you’re an engaged and active employee.
Participating in your community is a great way to build ties with your neighbors and give something back to the people around you. Few things are more enriching than helping support your community, whether picking up trash in your favorite park or socializing pets at the animal shelter. This can also bolster your standing in your career, as community service emphasizes your desire to help and bolsters both your and your employer’s reputation.
It’s virtually impossible to succeed in your career without caring for your mental health. Finding the right work-life balance, spending time with family and friends, and getting enough rest and relaxation in your off hours are crucial to building your career.
Finding the right job path can be a challenge, especially in today’s world. With the face of healthcare shifting almost every day, plotting the course of your career is harder than ever. If you’re still holding out for your ideal position but haven’t found it yet, we’d love to help you get on the track to a job that will keep you excited and engaged over the course of your career. MyTeam medical staffing starts by getting to know who you are and what you’re looking for in a job, with an intuitive job-matching process that helps give you opportunities tailored to your interests and needs.
What makes our company unique is our years of experience in the medical field. After working as registered nurses, medical assistants, MA educators, and more, we know what to expect from healthcare and how to navigate job opportunities to find the right fit for you. We can help you get out of the job search market and into your dream job. Contact our recruiting team at (971) 314-5170 or info@myteammedicalstaffing.com to learn more.