Call offs d/t low census

[FritoPie]

I have a question about call offs due to low census. A call-off rotation is used on our unit for call-offs during times of low census. The rotation sheet lists the order of call-offs as 1) Over-time 2) PRN 3) Part-time 4) Request 5) Full-time. Even with the order of call-off info listed on the rotation log we have always included part-timers in our regular roation.

This has not really been an issue for me, until now. One day this week a part-timer & I were both scheduled to work, there was low census on the unit and a call-off was warranted. I had recently been called off and it was simply my turn to work, so the part-timer was called off.

Later during the week this same part-timer asked if I wanted to give up my last scheduled day of the week. I stated I would need to think about it. The next day I got a text from the part-timer telling me that the PRN that I was scheduled to work with on my last day of the week wanted to give away their shift so this part-timer took it, and also said if I wanted the call off the part-timer would be more than happy to work. I declined, stating I needed to get my hours.

Then on my last scheduled day of the week to work I get a call informing me that I am called-off. Since the part-timer had been called off earlier in the week, according to the rotation it was my turn to be called off. So, now the part-timer gets their hours and I don't. I also feel as though I have been strong-armed by this person into getting what they wanted in the first place. It also makes me worry that this could become a more frequent event.

There are many benefits to being a full-time employee, benefits that the part-timers are not entitled to; Health insurance, full-time PTO, and being the last to be considered for call-offs. This person & I are friends and I am frustrated and honestly hurt by this behavior. But, I guess when it comes down to it business is business. What do you all think?

Thanks, in advance for your responses.

[~patty~]

On my unit there is a call of list and part time and full time employees are considered equally. I am part time, and I would have the same number of call offs as a full time perosn. PRN and overtime would be called off first though. No matter what type of system is used, manipulation is alway possible and has happened to me too. I would keep track of these incidents and if needed, talk to the manager about it.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I just want to know why your census is low! We are SOOOO busy 24/7 right now, and all units are full and we're holding in our ED because there are NO nurses to fill those beds! Wow!

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

MassED, sounds like you and I work at the same place.. We get called daily to work extra.. No beds, short staffed and plenty coming in the door..

[Mulan]

The next day I got a text from the part-timer telling me that the PRN that I was scheduled to work with on my last day of the week wanted to give away their shift so this part-timer took it, and also said if I wanted the call off the part-timer would be more than happy to work.

It sounds to me like the PRN is the one who got strong armed.

You might want to clarify with your manager though, if part-time is getting the hours and full-time isn't.

Our census is extremely low and has been for quite some time.

[TeenyTinyBabyRN, BSN, RN]

My unit has been very slow recently as well. I am blessed to work at a hospital that does not do mandatory call offs. They ask everyone scheduled, if they would like off. If no one wants off, then they still are allowed to get their hours. We do have to be floated, which no one really likes, but if it helps me get all my hours, I am more than happy to do it. We have been floating about 5 people a night, and usually 3-5 want off.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I don't see why the part time person did anything wrong in taking the place of the PRN person, other than you were upset at being called off. Why shouldn't they be allowed to try to make up a day if they so desire.

If you are a 7 day a week unit, you could do the same. I wish I could get a low-census, we are always so busy and short-staffed with frequent mandations at least for the poor PM shift and then staffing calling just about every day begging you to work extra.

[rnbusmgr]

Nope shouldn't have happened. That was an extra, unscheduled shift for that part-time employee. Whoever staffed that day was wrong.

[Orange Tree]

I don't see how one incident relates to the other. She got called off, then you got called off (in proper order). She didn't "take" anything from you, she was just resourceful in making up her hours.

[MC1906]

Get clarification from your manager and also take a look at the HR policy. Definitely keep track of this though!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

This person & I are friends and I am frustrated and honestly hurt by this behavior. But, I guess when it comes down to it business is business. What do you all think?

Thanks, in advance for your responses.

Don't ruin a friendship over something that the other person is not to blame for because ultimately, it wasn't the part-timer's fault you got called off--it was the fault of whoever staffed the shift. That is the person who you need to address your concerns to, not the part-timer.

Definitely get a clarification of call-off policy though...and if this does become a recurring event be sure to let your manager/HR know.

[MKS8806]

Sounds to me like that wasn't really an "extra" shift for the part-timer. She got called off earlier in the week, so she isn't on overtime. We don't differentiate the full time and aprt time staff. But if you sign up extra during the week and are called off before that extra shift, the extra shift is no longer considered extra.