BONUS REVOKED

[Southgirl78]

So, I was schedule to work an extra shift at a bonus of $250.00. I noticed on the upcoming assignment sheet that my name was written out to the side and another nurse was in my place. When I asked HR about it, I got this response:

I have someone willing to work that shift for bonus of $100 and cannot justify the higher bonus of $250. I have spoken to __________ in regards to this and from a financial standpoint, we cannot pay the higher bonus when someone is willing to work for the lesser amount. She has to get approval for these bonuses and we cannot justify paying the higher bonus. If you are willing to work for the bonus of $100 as originally planned, you will be able to keep the shift. We try to only call off nurses when census does not justify the amount of nurses.

I was not notified of this in advance. Is it ok/legal to revoke a scheduled bonus shift and give it to someone willing to work for less money?!

[Southgirl78]

The HR lady asked me to work Sat night - Mon night for the month at the beginning of the schedule and offered me the bonus then because I'm only parttime. I didn't "pick up" a shift. I was told I would get that bonus for the third day I worked every week.

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

A hospital I used to work at would offer 'bonus time' (2X hourly rate) for extremely desperate situations. And we all knew if you signed up for bonus time, you were the first cancelled for that shift, and also a normal shift in that week, to lose those hours above your straight-pay hours.

I imagine that HR has the upper hand, legally. But as PP stated, this habitual practice of offering and then not allowing the OT hours resulted in many employees electing to not agree to it in the first place. S

Sorta not nice, but it is a business and the $$ always wins.

This.

When i was a civilian nurse we could sign up for "green time" which was a premium shift. But it was well known we would be the first to be called off and those hours were not a guarantee. I cant imagine there is anything illegal about filling the staffing hole with a lower bonus if that was a possibility. Its fiscally responsible (although low on the integrity scale, i agree).

[Extra Pickles]

if that had happened to me I would be royally mad. Sure we all know that a premium pay shift is the first to get called off but I've never heard of someone agreeing to a shift at premium pay and then having someone else swoop in and undercut them to get the shift but take less of a premium. That isn't illegal, ok, but it sure isn't ethical and it's a horrible business practice. Do that to me just one time and I wouldn't agree to an extra shift again, why would I??? no if I've picked up an extra shift that helps out the hospital I'm doing it in agreement of fair compensation. We have a deal. it's just slimy to offer it up to someone else who is willing to work for less. let's see how many more nurses are willing to cover those shifts if this is how they do things.