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pbrayley
pbrayley

What does "per diem" mean in regards to salary for employment?

I'm looking for a job. I need to know what a job ad means when they say the position is "per diem".

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Posted by pbrayley on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 8:34 AM and tagged with business, per diem.

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  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    The phrase "per diem" means "per day" or "by the day."

    In terms of jobs, if the position itself is "per diem" it probably means that it is not steady work.  Instead, they will, at best, be hiring you on days when they need you (sort of like substitute teaching would be).

    Per diem can also refer to payments that you get in addition to your regular pay.  For example, if you go off to an assignment somewhere out of town, your employer might give you a per diem for food and lodging.

    But it sounds like the first definition is more applicable in your case.

    Sources:
    http://allnurses.com/graduate-nurse-forum/per-diem-jobs-3...

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 9:08 AM

  2. krishna-agrawala
    krishna-agrawala Teacher
    Graduate School

    eNotes Editor

    "Per diem" is a phrase taken from Latin meaning per day. It refers to the method of calculating wages to employees or other payments such as fees for consultants.

    Payment of wages are calculated on different basis such as per hour, per day, per week and per month. In addition, to these different methods of payment based on time put in on work, The payment can also be on piece rate basis. This means payment based on quantity of work done.

    Generally wages are paid per diem basis for temporary, short term asignments rather tah for regular long term jobs.

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    Posted by krishna-agrawala on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 9:14 AM