No Per Diem On First Job?

[NewGuy]

I may be traveling out of state for my first Decon job, I have nuclear experience and held unescorted access for the last 2 years. Is it true that on your first Decon job that you dont get per diem?

[techtoolong]

There are some sites and some companies that do not pay Per Diem on first jobs.  Get the facts from the person hiring you.

[Incline]

Old Indian saying my (tor)mentors taught me many moons ago; " No diem check...No see'um tech".

[Rennhack]

I may be traveling out of state for my first Decon job, I have nuclear experience and held unescorted access for the last 2 years. Is it true that on your first Decon job that you dont get per diem?

These are your options:  1) Don't work for them on your terms.  2) Work for them on their terms.

It's their money.  You want it.  You have to do what they want you to do to get their money.

It's hard to be picky, when there are no other offers on the table.  If they are offering you a job, and you have no better offers, you have to accept their terms.

'Should' you get per Diem when working away from home? Yes.  Are they willing to pay per Diem of an entry level position? No.  Their client thinks they can hire just any local to do the job, (Of course, that isn't true) so the client will not pay them per diem.  If they can't collect it, they aren't going to pay it.

Often, you are not paid per Diem until you have 6-12 months experience.  I didn't.

Lets look at your options again:  You would have to pay to go to school... think of this as school.  They pay you a minimum wage, and they train you.  After that job, you have experience that you can market to them, and to their competition.  What is that experience worth to you?  After 6-12 months decon, become a Jr HP, and then a Sr HP.  That's what I did.  Then I became a Rad engineer.  It was worth making $4.25/hr and no per Diem for a year.  It started my 20 year career.

Not everyone can start at the top.  Be careful listening to those other people's advice, it could end up resulting in you sitting at home with no job, and no potential of future employment.

[sscone]

I may be traveling out of state for my first Decon job, I have nuclear experience and held unescorted access for the last 2 years. Is it true that on your first Decon job that you dont get per diem?

I know it's a little hard to swallow but if that's all ya got then take it. Show them your a hard worker even when you think no one is looking and you will be remembered for the next outage. Right before you leave there give the recruiters a call and see what else you can do. Keep your name fresh in there mind and you will soon be on your way to a career.

Oh and cash is not going to fall out the sky anytime soon, so be patient.

[let-it-ride]

My first job as a Jr. Hp was $6.00 an hour with no diem. If I had to start over again, I would do the same thing. The money was tight but the experience I got opened doors for me that never closed. I wish you well and hope you at least give it a try.

[iiiisx349]

Often, you are not paid per Diem until you have 6-12 months experience.


my first decon job i got per diem from bartlett

[Content1]

This is a free market situation.   The pay drops so low that many will not take it.   A company will either get the dregs to take it or someone with potential will hope it will lead to a better job, the carrot on a stick approach.   I did not take some jobs when they did not pay enough per diem or paid for travel.   Per diem was so low I never worked at DOE sites in Georgia.   I could not afford to take some jobs with no per diem as my unemployment made more sense at those times.   So let the free market work itself out here. 

[Rennhack]

This is a free market situation.   The pay drops so low that many will not take it.   A company will either get the dregs to take it or someone with potential will hope it will lead to a better job, the carrot on a stick approach.   I did not take some jobs when they did not pay enough per diem or paid for travel.   Per diem was so low I never worked at DOE sites in Georgia.   I could not afford to take some jobs with no per diem as my unemployment made more sense at those times.   So let the free market work itself out here. 

You are not a deconner with no experience.  Its NOT the same.  You had experience and choices.  You could turn down one job, and get offered another.  If this guy turns down this job, it is likely he will never be offered another.  NO ONE wants a technician with no experience.

While you are letting the free market work itself out, this guy is unemployed, and losing his house.  GREAT advice.

Tell me, Content1, how much per diem did you get on your first DECON job?

[techtoolong]

I did not get Per Diem on my first decon job and it was at Calvert. Not a cheap area but I was in

[NewGuy]

you guys have ALL been very helpful, the site coordinator informed me that I wouldn't get per diem because its my first job, and asked me "are you sure you're ok with that?" I told him that I wanted to get my feet wet and trained and im willing to make that sacrifice. I will basically be giving up my permanent position at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station but if thats what I have to do to get in and my prove myself, then it should be worth it.

[UncaBuffalo]

you guys have ALL been very helpful, the site coordinator informed me that I wouldn't get per diem because its my first job, and asked me "are you sure you're ok with that?" I told him that I wanted to get my feet wet and trained and im willing to make that sacrifice. I will basically be giving up my permanent position at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station but if thats what I have to do to get in and my prove myself, then it should be worth it.

You lost me there...

Where'd this permanent job come into the picture?  And why would you give it up...esp. for a contract job that doesn't even pay per diem?

[sscone]

I will basically be giving up my permanent position at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station but if thats what I have to do to get in and my prove myself, then it should be worth it.

Ok WHY??? What are going for? Do you want to travel? Are you not happy at SONGS? I'm confused.

[Rennhack]

You lost me there...

Yeah.  That changes the situation a lot.  Now it's a "WFT?".  PLEASE oh please explain to us why you want to leave a permanent job at songs for a non-per diem decon job on the road.

I bet it has something to do with a woman.  (OMG did I just say that?  My account must have been hacked!)

[HydroDave63]

Yeah.  That changes the situation a lot.  Now it's a "WFT?".  PLEASE oh please explain to us why you want to leave a permanent job at songs for a non-per diem decon job on the road.

I bet it has something to do with a woman.  (OMG did I just say that?  My account must have been hacked!)

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yep, definitely hacked

[HydroDave63]

On-topic: maybe it is a better career path?

[Incline]

I stand by my earlier post. Don't leave a permanent/long term job at a nuclear plant WITHOUT PER DIEM. And yes, i got diem on my first nuclear job, Jr. decon. $7/ hr and 30 a day. Sr rp's were getting $50/day.

[UncaBuffalo]

you guys have ALL been very helpful, the site coordinator informed me that I wouldn't get per diem because its my first job, and asked me "are you sure you're ok with that?" I told him that I wanted to get my feet wet and trained and im willing to make that sacrifice. I will basically be giving up my permanent position at ***** but if thats what I have to do to get in and my prove myself, then it should be worth it.

I gave you my thoughts about your situation in response to the PM you sent, but you could also explain yourself to the rest of the crowd.  They might see something I missed...always good to get multiple opinions when you are thinking things out.


You might remove the name of the plant you are at...there ARE bored people at nearly every plant that will make your life difficult if they know you are thinking of bailing out...just a thought...


Good luck...and have fun with whichever way you go!  

[NewGuy]

Definitely not a girl, im not married and have no kids yet. Im still a contractor at my current facility but there is no room/opportunities for advancement. basically like dead end honestly. Im hoping that taking this risk, I can start applying for more contract jobs and workin my way up the ladder. and yes, I would love to tavel and get out there, I have nothing holding me back and I know its a big risk, but I have a little bit of money saved up, and I wanna get on the road.......im just hoping that after I do this first Decon job, it will be easier to land more and just travel all around the nation.

[let-it-ride]

One thing I always liked about being on the road was I thought I was on a paid vacation. Every one has cool stories of places they have been. Some of my old neighbors never leave their area except for their 2 week annual vacation.
I have done what most people only dream about.
There are those that want the security of a permanent job. Nothing wrong with that and never should anyone criticize those that make that choice. For those that want the excitement of the road, I don't know of anyone that was sorry for their choice.

[jowlman]

There's something else to consider. Just because you aren't getting paid Per Diem, doesn't mean that you aren't entitled to it under the IRS rules. So you might want to check with tax person and save your receipts to write it off your taxes at the end of the year. It could make taking the job more attractive.

[nu-nuker]

Definitely not a girl, im not married and have no kids yet. Im still a contractor at my current facility but there is no room/opportunities for advancement. basically like dead end honestly. Im hoping that taking this risk, I can start applying for more contract jobs and workin my way up the ladder. and yes, I would love to tavel and get out there, I have nothing holding me back and I know its a big risk, but I have a little bit of money saved up, and I wanna get on the road.......im just hoping that after I do this first Decon job, it will be easier to land more and just travel all around the nation.

are you working for Bartlett?

[SloGlo]

phurst job, bak inna dey, no pay butt diem for sevan daze.  den both cheques came thru.

[Content1]

There's something else to consider. Just because you aren't getting paid Per Diem, doesn't mean that you aren't entitled to it under the IRS rules. So you might want to check with tax person and save your receipts to write it off your taxes at the end of the year. It could make taking the job more attractive.

I saw a post for a DOE site with No Per Diem listed.  I have worked DOE sites without per diem and found the take home pay after taxes is barely survivable, and you have to work all year and can't afford to travel.  You do get a matching 401K and on paper with the medical it is better.  But if you have the medical problem covered, it is still a a greater traveling pay after taxes for 1/2 a year of work.  I find if you stay at one job too long you have to be able to play the social games.  When you travel you are not there long enough to have to brown nose to keep your job.  No per diem is fine with me, it keeps me away from the drudgery of a DOE site and its associated politics.

[UncaBuffalo]

I saw a post for a DOE site with No Per Diem listed.  I have worked DOE sites without per diem and found the take home pay after taxes is barely survivable, and you have to work all year and can't afford to travel.  You do get a matching 401K and on paper with the medical it is better.  But if you have the medical problem covered, it is still a a greater traveling pay after taxes for 1/2 a year of work.  I find if you stay at one job too long you have to be able to play the social games.  When you travel you are not there long enough to have to brown nose to keep your job.  No per diem is fine with me, it keeps me away from the drudgery of a DOE site and its associated politics.

Amen, Brother!