Manager changing schedule from days to nights with 2 days notice...

[RNBearcat]

Hi all...

So earlier this year I asked my manager to switch from night (7p-7a) to day shift. My reasons being the same as many others on forums I've found on here... Constant feeling of 'jet lag', struggling to get things done and an overall just not feeling well. A month and a half ago when we were making our schedule I finally was told a date I was moving to days as there was an opening. The schedule has been finalized for about a month and I have been so excited since to regain my life back!

Before my last night shift (which was Friday night) I sent my boss an email (as I don't see her much working nights to talk in person) about some details for my first day shift the following Monday. I get a response saying I need to talk to you about staying on nights... I was devastated. Not only because mentally I was so defeated on nights, but with only a 2 and a half day heads up my entire personal life was flipped upside down. I had made PT appointments (twice a week for back pain) based on my day schedule and I was taking a few continuing education classes at my hospital in the daytime (and with nights I needed two shifts off to take the class, the night before and night of off as opposed to just 1 shift off on days). Not only were those alone huge inconviniences but my partner and I are sharing a car right now and had made arrangements based off our schedules to get each other to work. On top of that we are planning on moving this month and it was going to be so nice to finally be on the same schedule to get everything we need for the move done!

My boss did follow up with a phone call Saturday to discuss with me that starting Monday, she would need me on nights for Atleast two more weeks as we are too short on nights to allow me to move to days. I expressed to her how inconvinient this was with just a few days notice. She expressed she was sorry and could be flexible with my schedule but needed me to stay on nights.

We didn't have anyone leave unexpectedly and I am just incredibly frustrated how late I found out. We did have someone leave nights but they gave 3+ weeks notice! I feel I deserve much more heads up for a major change like this. I am willing to stay flexible and help the unit but it seems unfair to ask me to totally change my life around with just a few days notice. I am also concerned because as we all know it takes a long time to fill and train someone for an open nursing position. I feel that I will be stuck on nights for much longer than two weeks and that uncertainty is really weighing me down....

What are my rights as an employee? Can I go to HR? Anyone have something similar happen or any advice!?

Thanks in advance :)

[caliotter3]

If you are not satisfied with the circumstances, you can start job hunting. If you don't get the promised change after two weeks, you probably should consider a new employer. I once had employment where there was an entire overhaul of the shift schedule. A big meeting was held by management to tell the lowly near-minimum wage workers that they had no say in the matter, and that was that. If you will check with your Labor Board you will probably find out that the schedule change is ok as long as the notification window is met. I think I once read that in my state 24 hours notification is required.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

don't give an ultimatum you can't follow, but i would be eating a lot of (gluten) free ramen, lol

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

By all means, go ahead and exercise your rights by escalating the issue to HR if you feel that your manager has violated the organizational policy. But, if there has been no violation - this route will not get you very far & there may even be consequences to deal with.

Since even the most aggressive job hunt will probably not enable you to change within the two week window, Here's a more subtle (sneaky?) technique. Try to obtain a written document outlining the fact that your night shift extension will only be 2 weeks.. this could be an email from your manager. Once you have that, you have sufficient ground to file a formal grievance if your manager tries to extend the agreement beyond that time frame. In my experience with similar situations - it is likely that HR will step in and make the manager adhere to that agreement.

[RNBearcat]

By all means, go ahead and exercise your rights by escalating the issue to HR if you feel that your manager has violated the organizational policy. But, if there has been no violation - this route will not get you very far & there may even be consequences to deal with.

Since even the most aggressive job hunt will probably not enable you to change within the two week window, Here's a more subtle (sneaky?) technique. Try to obtain a written document outlining the fact that your night shift extension will only be 2 weeks.. this could be an email from your manager. Once you have that, you have sufficient ground to file a formal grievance if your manager tries to extend the agreement beyond that time frame. In my experience with similar situations - it is likely that HR will step in and make the manager adhere to that agreement.

Thank you very much for the Advice. I will attempt to get it in writing that it only needs to be 2 more weeks... I'm not sure if she violated any policy but I'll look into it before I go to HR. In 1.5 years this is the first major problem I've had with my boss. I love my hospital and the organization. The only way I'd really leave my position is for a new job within the organization...