Hi all! So I am relatively a new graduate (3 months prior experience) before landing a job at a SNF. I have only been there for a week and although I was told during the interview that I would be working nights, my manager wanted me on the 3-11 shift to learn admissions for a month. I've been working with this RN for about 2 days now and shes really nice. We talk about out personal lives and etc. (For example she had a daughter by someone who is the same ethnic background as me..etc). So I'm explain my experience from my last job at a large teaching hospital and simply mention that I am taking a pay cut but its worth it because I want the experience. She then asks "Oh what are they starting you at." I stupidly tell her my wage (37) and didn't think anything of it. I explain that I usually leave the part on the application where it says to put your desired wage blank but this time around I put a high wage (I was getting paid 5 dollars more at my last job than this one.) She then says oh wow your very lucky and that they didnt start her at that wage and she put 38 on her application but management told her that they couldn't afford to pay her that. Anyways she says I'm lucky and we leave it at that.
My next day, I notice that she is acting a bit different but didn't think anything of it...it is a stressful job however. I do notice however that we dont seem to see eachother at all and that she didn't teach the the computer system (the most important part) but is teaching the other new hire the computer system. When I sit down to observe so I can learn the phone rings. She quickly looks at me and says "Can you answer the phone in a dismissive tone." Again, didn't think anything of it.
When night shift comes on, one of the night nurses says its her last day. No body knows why it seems very VERY abrupt because nobody talked about it before. I see her and this other nurse(my preceptor I suppose) kind of talking privately. This nurse that resigned was a nice girl and I ask "Oh where are you going?" All she says is "Somewhere." which again I thought was a bit odd.
The next day my manager comes up to me and asks me to meet him in his office. By his tone I can tell something was wrong but have no idea. He asks me if I told anyone my wage and I said yes to my preceptor. He then informs me that 1 nurse (the night nurse) quit because of it and that 2 more are considering quitting. I explain that it was naive and I didn't know i confided in her. He tells me she is not your friend, she went and told everyone and that she is already treating you differently. He then says next shift you will be on nights, I need to get you away from them. EVERYTHING now makes sense to me.
Sorry for the long post but what should I do or is there anything that I can do to rectify this situation. Should I confront/talk to this nurse who went and talked about me to everyone? I do not know how much the other nurses are making and had NO IDEA I was even making more than them. IDK if its because I have my BSN or bc they knew I wouldn't have accepted a job or a wage any lower when I was making $5 more at my last job. I feel HORRIBLY about this especially because our SNF is already so short-staffed.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
A manager who wanted to fire someone who disclosed salary would just come up with another reason, or no reason at all if in an at will state.
But in the case of the OP, I think she could make a very good case for it being the reason she was fired, seeing as how the manager TOLD her that she just caused a big problem by disclosing her salary to coworkers. Assuming there are no disciplinary actions, official warnings in her personnel file, performance improvement plans or anything official that they could argue as the reason for the firing, an attorney could easily make a case for unlawful termination.
Ugh...in the same sitch but from the other end. I just found out they're paying my male coworker who is a new ADN (with previous LPN experience) more than they are paying me with a BSN and 10 years experience. Not the first time I've witnessed this misogny from this company either but it will be the last. I'm leaving too, probably in the next month or two.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
A manager who wanted to fire someone who disclosed salary would just come up with another reason, or no reason at all if in an at will state.
Bingo. Although the real reason for the termination is anger at the employee for disclosing his/her pay rate, the 'official' reason on the employment separation documents will be something that is more politically correct or conjured up from thin air (e.g. insubordination, verbal abuse, etc.).
OP,you sound like a wonderful person. The women who are giving you a hard time sound awful. Really, the preceptor asks a direct question, then goes wagging her tongue, turning the rest of her coven of witches against you?
My guess is that the frustrated witch already resented you because of your youthful happiness. Then management moves you to nights, knowing that the witches on days are going to be using their black magic spells against you?
First off... You accidentally drop your keys in to the annoying narrow spot between your car seat and the center console. You accidentally forget to sign a check to the electric company. You don't accidentally tell your salary. You did it on purpose, you just regret it now - that is different from an accident. Never Ever EVER talk about pay with anyone other that the people who do payroll or the person who controls your wage - and even then only when it's necessary.
EVER.
Everything that has happened in this situation is exactly why.
Has nobody ever told you this? This is common knowledge and common sense.
Wow! I I'm surprised to know that folks don't realize that it is not appropriate to discuss salaries in the workplace. Many institutions even have it as per part of their corporate policies and procedures that salary is not to be discussed other than with HR. As a rule of thumb as an employee in any environment regardless of whether or not it is Healthcare Walmart or some other business. It is typically known that salary is not discussed. Now having said all that, should you choose to have that conversation with someone, they may give you the impression that they will keep it confidential but it has been my experience in many places that I have worked, especially in the hospital between nurses that conversation comes up a lot. Personally, I have never and never will discuss what I am paid. Sometimes you will be mournfully sorry that you had the conversation when you find out like the other nurse did, that you are making less money than someone with less experience even though you are more qualified. I think that is the reason this rule of thumb exists. To keep peace in the workplace keep the conversations away from salaries and pay. I have lost many a good nurse because the staff chooses to discuss salary and historically, someone is always disappointed and leaves because they feel they have been slighted. It's just not a good idea to even discuss that conversation. When it does come up in the future, your best response would be to kindly say, "Sorry, it's not my practice to discuss anyones'salary".
A manager who wanted to fire someone who disclosed salary would just come up with another reason, or no reason at all if in an at will state.
In my previous life, I was in management for about 15 years.
There is *always* a way to fire someone you don't want around.
It doesn't matter at all why you actually don't want them around, what matters is being able to support the reason you wrote on the termination paperwork.
I don't get why people have to be jealous about what others get. If you don't mind my asking, which state are you in? Where I am RNs make around 27 at an SNF so I'm just curious:)
At-will employment states are not exempt from federal employment laws. What at-will employment means is that an employee can be fired for any reason so long as it does not violate any laws. The NLRA specifically protects all employees rights to discuss their work conditions including pay.
You're missing the point... Nobody should be dumb enough to use an illegal reason to fire someone. They will make up another reason that IS legal and fire them for that, and you will never ever be able to prove why they 'actually' fired you.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
But in the case of the OP, I think she could make a very good case for it being the reason she was fired, seeing as how the manager TOLD her that she just caused a big problem by disclosing her salary to coworkers. Assuming there are no disciplinary actions, official warnings in her personnel file, performance improvement plans or anything official that they could argue as the reason for the firing, an attorney could easily make a case for unlawful termination.
The OP has been at her job for two weeks -- in all likelihood she's still on probation. They don't NEED a reason to fire her.
Decade1
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The real problem is your employer shouldn't be asking people to keep their pay a secret. It's discriminatory and a violation of rights. 'Pay Secrecy' Policies At Work: Often Illegal, And Misunderstood : NPR