Do you think this is fair?

[bigmona]

I'm in the weekend program at work, and work every single weekened. I only work Sat & Sun, so I am considered part time. We have 4 weekenders on my unit, and as a result, the rest of the regular staff only end up having to work maybe 1 weekend shift every 1.5-2 months.

Since I'm a weekend person, I get the higher weekend rate. If a holiday happens to fall on a weekend, I have to work it, and I do NOT get time and a half like the rest of the staff, because I'm already paid at "a higher rate"- but when you do the math, the regular staff are making more hourly than me on holidays.

Not only do I have to work these holidays at my regular rate, I am not allowed to request vacation time if it's a holiday.

So basically, I don't make any extra working on a holiday, I don't have an extra holiday requirement because I'm part time weekend staff, but I'm denied any requests to take a holiday off because "that's not allowed". Does that seem right to you? It seems to me that since I don't make holiday pay and don't have an extra holiday requirement like the rest of the staff, I should be allowed to take the holiday off if I request it (not to mention I have #2 seniority on this unit). Also, as a result, a lot of regular staff get out of working a weekend holiday because the weekend people have already filled in most of the slots.

I have to admit, I have a "thing" for when a situation seems unfair and get worked up about it- but am open to someone else's input and perspective to tell me I am looking at things incorrectly. My manager does not seem to understand where I'm coming from. It's hard when I have NO family time because I'm working every weekend, and then I miss out on family time during a holiday too because it happens to fall on a weekend. And no, I don't think anyone would willingly switch with me to work on a holiday.

[klone, MSN, RN]

You can opt out of working weekends.

There you go.

Yes, it seems unfair, but it's what you signed up for. I'm sure the complete terms of the contract were outlined to you before you signed the contract. If you don't like it, you can stop being on the weekend plan.

[bigmona]

I don't have a choice right now to not work the weekends given the circumstances I'm in.

I appreciate the constructive replies. All I was asking for was some perspective (not attitude) and many of you gave it to me. Thanks.

[jmtndl]

You wanted this schedule, right?If you don't like the terms, don't work the schedule. "Fair" is a kindergarten word.

[leslie :-D]

I don't have a choice right now to not work the weekends given the circumstances I'm in.

I appreciate the constructive replies. All I was asking for was some perspective (not attitude) and many of you gave it to me. Thanks.

i did weekends only for awhile...would work 24, get paid for 36hr.

it was called the baylor program.

don't know if it's the same deal with you, but if a holidays fell on the w/e, we wouldn't get anything extra.

however, if holidays fell on the w/e every single year, i'd speak up...

but not for the isolated w/e, not worth it...

and, i'd feel greedy asking for more.

lesile

[shiccy]

What you're saying is you make more per hour than everyone else, but are not on one or two days every once in a while?

Also, is the Sat-Sun thing considered fulltime? At my hospital our 'weekend incentive' people work two days, but get paid for three (which is why I ask). They're considered 'full time' and get full benefits, but don't get as much vacation time off nor as much sick time. They can, however, request 1 weekend off a quarter.

Look at it this way:

You get paid more than anybody else for normal hours

You get the days you WANT to work (weekends), and not the days you don't (unlike your cohorts)

You possibly are still full time even though you work a whopping two days a week (if above is true)

You don't have to work ANY holidays except the ones that fall on your weekend.

They get:

More money a few days a year

They have to work whenever they're scheduled and have to switch to get around it

They work 3 days a week or more

They have a holiday schedule rotation where they have to work pretty much every holiday.

If this bothers you the only way of getting around it, sans finding a new job, is to go to normal shifts and working whenever the heck they want you to.

In short:

Stow it and stop feeling like a victim.

[caliotter3]

With my employers, as with most, it is luck of the draw what happens whenever a holiday falls on any particular day. Employers use this fact to their advantage. It boils down to them paying or not paying holiday pay according to the rules they make for their own advantage. Not really worth getting worked up over if you can't do anything about it.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Yes, it's fair. Get over it.

Was it really necessarily to tell her to get over it? What does that achieve? It felt so biting to me. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

what you're saying is you make more per hour than everyone else, but are not on one or two days every once in a while?

also, is the sat-sun thing considered fulltime? at my hospital our 'weekend incentive' people work two days, but get paid for three (which is why i ask). they're considered 'full time' and get full benefits, but don't get as much vacation time off nor as much sick time. they can, however, request 1 weekend off a quarter.

look at it this way:

you get paid more than anybody else for normal hours

you get the days you want to work (weekends), and not the days you don't (unlike your cohorts) this is not always the case, as she stated.

you possibly are still full time even though you work a whopping two days a week (if above is true) she might be doing 16 hour shifts.

you don't have to work any holidays except the ones that fall on your weekend.

they get: also by choice, as the op makes a choice to work her schedule, so do the other nurses

more money a few days a year

they have to work whenever they're scheduled and have to switch to get around it

they work 3 days a week or more

they have a holiday schedule rotation where they have to work pretty much every holiday.

if this bothers you the only way of getting around it, sans finding a new job, is to go to normal shifts and working whenever the heck they want you to.

in short:

stow it and stop feeling like a victim.

i hurt from this callous, possibly jealous, remark.

let's face it - they don't call it "work" for nothing, no matter how high the pay, how great the working conditions. there are, apparently, always problems.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Wow, Shiccy. That's cold....

[2bTraumaRN2008]

Wow, and you call yourself professionals??? I would hope that you wouldn't be my nurse one day with all the negativity and unnecessary remarks!!

I just wonder how "great" your attitude is at work?

[RNandRRT]

Having to actually cover the holidays on your weekends is actually fair.

Not getting compensated appropriately for it is not. And it could be illegal.

Salaried employees do not receive compensation for overtime and holidays, so they are not required to work them. Non salaried employees should all be compensated. 1.5 should be paid to all, regardless of how much someone's hourly pay is. PRN'ers used to be paid significantly more for no benefits, but they still get compensated 1.5 for holidays and overtime. Your situation is no different. The fact that you have to work the weekend and it's a holiday should have no bearing on this.

side note: you certainly didn't deserve the attitudes you received from some of these posts. allnurses.com is here for questions just such as this one. good luck.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

wow, and you call yourself professionals??? i would hope that you wouldn't be my nurse one day with all the negativity and unnecessary remarks!!

i just wonder how "great" your attitude is at work?

debate on an internet site shows absolutely nothing about someone's professionalism or attitude at work. chastising someone for their poor attitude and hoping that they won't be your nurse one day is indicative of the nastiness and backbiting that so many say they deplore. and since it appears that you're still a student, you don't even understand the realities of being a professional yet anyway.

one more thought: those who get picky about which nurse they'll allow to take care of themselves or their families usually end up with worse nursing care . . . unless all you really wanted was the pillow fluffing.