How would you react??

shay · Apr 14, 2002

I...have...NO idea!! Bleah!! What a mess!!! Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong, but they can't fire you for complaining about the schedule, can they? Isn't that wrongful termination?? Hmmm...I'd probably contact the nearest lawyer and have him/her send a nice little letter to the DON and risk mgt. and human resources. Yeep!

CEN35 · Apr 14, 2002

truthfully? i would tell the don you saw the note. i would have actually kept it.

then told her, either you make the changes you promised me, or i go to hr. if that proves futile, give them your two weeks.

be civil about it, and say i like working here, but can't stay. tell them there are many many other jobs, with dayshift openings.

two things i have seen first hand:

#1 - managment only bends if they think your an assett to the system.

#2 - things don't get fixed, or changed until managment is faced with a do or die situation (i.e. you are offered another job, and give them your notice)

just my 2 cents

me :)

ageless · Apr 14, 2002

It truly depends on what state laws are available to employees. Check with your state's labor board for specifics before hiring a costly attorney. Unless the firing was direct discrimination against race, gender, religion etc., many states have in effect "no right to work" statutes. Which literally means one can be terminated for any other reason. No explaination necessary. Sad, but true...I live in a "no right to work state". :eek:

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 14, 2002

I believe that management will only push over those that are willing to fall...I don't mean that you should be inflexible-just the opposite-I think it is appropriate to bend over backwards occassionally but stand tall when we must...I would NOT work evenings and go back in at 6am-and would make it clear that I find it too absurd to even consider...however I would work an evening or 2 followed by a noc....Also promises are easily broken-get it in writing...give an ultimatum and update that resume...Lots of openings out there-any employer knows that and good ones are bending over backwards themselves to try and accomodate their loyal employees

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Apr 14, 2002

I would also have definitely taken the stickee note to the DON and said "I wanted to watch non-chalantly to see your reaction to my seeing this note." Now here's a note for you, "I resign, effective immediately.

You will find another job easily. Why work for someone who is such an underhanded snake in the grass. She is beelzebub!! You are better off. I am not sure what grounds a lawsuit would be based on, there has to be discrimination (age, sex, racial, disability, etc...) or whistleblower (and from what you said, there is not a dangerous situation to pt's or staff, just that you wanted a schedule change), in order to have a case. Since you are in an at-will employer situation (I assume) they can fire you for no reason (if other than the above mentioned.)

Just be glad your eyes were opened and you can throw this monkey off your back.

Have you looked into home care? It is a days only situation, flexible hours, and very conductive to working parents.

Good luck with your new job search.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Apr 14, 2002

Find out your state's labor laws...sue for wrongful dismissal (your were obviously bated) :devil: ...& definitely sue them to make them pay for your medical injury which who sustained working for them ...then I would get the hell out of there & never look back :roll ...this is one bridge you can absolutely afford to burn! - Moe

NannaNurse · Apr 15, 2002

I do have the original sticky. I also made a photocopy and sent a letter to the Administrator/Owner and let her know what was going on. This is what I call a .......'hillbilly' facility. The Maint. Dir is the uncle of the Admin. & works for free. The Activity Dir. has a sister and her mom working as CNA's, the Dietary Dir. has her husband, daughter and sister working with her and she has worked over 40 days w/o day off. The SocSer. Dir quit....said they were all a bunch of nuts......heehee.

I did retain a copy of all the papers for my attorney. I will also contact one of those "if you've been hurt on the job and they refuse to pay....." attorneys. I worked my tail off to help them with start-up. I'm looking into Pharmacy tech or something besides LTC. I'm almost to the point of going back to school to do something entirely diff. than nursing. I'm getting sick of the back-stabbing after 20+ years.

Thanks to all of you for your input and support. I'll keep you posted.

duckie · Apr 15, 2002

I would also make a mad dash to see if you are entitled to Unemployment benefits. All facilities have a policy they must follow to terminate an employee and it sounds to me like they did not follow any policy. Get out your employee handbook and see what the chain of actions are that must be taken to terminate someone. I'd bet you'll be taking a nice vacation on them. Usually there is a series of written warnings that must be given before one can be dismissed. Keep the note and take it with you when you file for unemployment.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Apr 15, 2002

Unemployment sounds like the ticket! YOU pay nothing into it. The money comes from Ms Beelzebub's facility!

If you are in one of the at will states....all you have to do is breathe to get fired. BUT it also means you don't really have to give notice either. (Not advocating that but it's true)

I think you lucked out before the Clampetts asked YOU to work for free.

NannaNurse · Apr 15, 2002

Turning in my paperwork for unemployment tomorrow (Monday). It is an 'at will' state....so I could of 'farted'.....excuse the remark, and gotten fired.

First warning, first write up. They stated they have a 'zero' tollerance policy for 'unprofessional' behavior.

Did I get upset???? You bet I did. Did I act unprofessional?? Nothing but 'human' here. How unprofessional is it to say your sick and tired of vague promises and ticked about the crazy schedule??

How unprofessional is it to change schedule at the last minute, tell another nurse to wait until as late as possible to inform you and then 'spy' on you for a reaction and then fire you for that reaction?????

I would love some time off on them.

mother/babyRN, RN · Apr 15, 2002

Please tell me you have a union!! If not, I agree with Shay...Doesn't sound like an offense worthy of firiing someone. I would definitely pursue this...Might want to call the labor relations board.....They love to investigate things like this! Good luck to you!