Aggressive staffing person at LTC

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 18, 2012

Don't answer the phone? Let it go to voice mail? Turn off your phone? Don't give out cell # only home # (then if you are not home what can you do?)

LTCNS, LPN · Oct 18, 2012

Agreed. Don't answer your phone. You are not obligated to go in on your days off. They cannot let you go unless you are on call and required to cover shifts in the event of call outs.

I used to feel so bad when I didn't jump up and run right into work everytime my phone rang. I would work 3 and 4 weeks without a day off and they took advantage of me. I had all the intimidation tactics used on me as well, but like I said, you are 100% NOT obligated to cover call outs unless you absolutely want to or are on call and are required to.

I refuse to be bullied into coming into work on my days off.

geminiBSN75 · Oct 18, 2012

I agree. Take your cell off the list of calling and just have your home phone machine come on.

Blackcat99 · Oct 18, 2012

Yes I don't answer my home phone on my days off now. I don't have a cell phone. The other nurses had warned me ahead of time about this aggressive threatening staffing person. The nurses said I would be called to come in on my days off. I was also told that they don't always use the LTC phone number to call you either. They try to trick you into answering the phone by using someone else's private cell phone to call you in to work. :arghh: I guess I am worried that I might accidently pick up and answer the phone on my days off just out of habit.

JZ_RN · Oct 19, 2012

Just tell them that you are not at home and can't come in to work, you're busy doing something else. It's none of the business and you have no obligation to take days you're not scheduled for, it's not your job to be the schedule fill-in for their crap staffing or call-offs. Either don't answer your phone for their number or any unknown number, let it go to voicemail and call anyone else back or just be honest. If they threaten to fire you, tell them that if they do you will get a lawyer for this employment harassment and illegal practices.

amoLucia · Oct 19, 2012

Invest in 'caller ID' option. Of course, the sneaky person will have the 'ID blocked' option just to trick you.

It's sad, but if it's important, callers will have to leave a message on my tape. If I want, I'll pick-up during their message or else I'll call them right back. I explain the reason to those whom I think have the right/need to know why. My family & friends understand.

If you ever DO get a cellphone, DO NOT ever give the number out, even to co-workers. They have been known to be tricked into giving out cell #s and once management has the number, they'll NEVER let it go.

wooh, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2012

"Sorry, I've got plans for today, can't come in. Good luck finding someone! Bye." Hang up.

fastwalkslowtalk · Oct 19, 2012

It's pretty simple. I let all of my calls go to voice mail if I don't recognize the number. It's not like you can't call them back.

amoLucia · Oct 19, 2012

"Sorry, I've got plans for today, can't come in. Good luck finding someone! Bye." Hang up.

I wish I had the quickness to respond this way. My sister can do it but I fall all over myself!

wooh, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2012

Can always put it on a post-it by the phone, then all you have to do is read it. :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2012

YOocan get a cheap prepaid cell phone and tell them your number changed and give them the cell phone number and don't answer....but the first few no's are the hardest.....tell them you volunteer at a homeless shelter on your days off and to not call.