On our unit, we fill out a "wish list" for our upcoming schedule. In the past, our scheduler has said that she prioritizes who gets requested days off based on the reason for needing the day off. At this point in my life, I have to request Sundays off because I have absolutely NO daycare on that day (and believe me, I have tried to find a daycare provider). My husband has tried to get Sundays off so that I can work them and can't. He is still trying. So, as I usually do, I did my request for Sundays. Now, I am scheduled to work Easter and can't. I have brought the issue up to the scheduler, who says that she didn't give me the day off because other people got their requests in before me. Most of the people who request Sundays off are actually available but just WANT the day off. I know this because they tell me this in the breakroom. The reason I get didn't my request in before them--I was sick with the flu for an entire week, then was off the week after to take care of my daughter who'd had surgery.
I am so upset about this that I am ready to go to HR and our CEO about the issue. I am ready to contact the Union.
I believe our employer should provide daycare if they are going to require people to work on days that they don't have daycare. They should not be threatening workers' employment because of this.
What do you all think? (By the way, I am not suggesting that the "single people" should work all of the holidays and weekends. I'd gladly work them if I had childcare!)
WOW! I am a little suprised by the reactions to your post. Good grief!
I am definitely sympathetic to your plight. They have known all along that you are not available on Sundays and for them to turn it around does seem a bit unfair.
Could you not trade a holiday with someone else?
My reaction is coming from the position as the nurse that has been scheduled split weekends for 6 weeks (working every Sat) because another nurse wanted off ever Sunday. I was not asked. Management agreed to the conditions, but then no one was willing to work the split weekends to make it possible. It caused a lot of problems. She was a great nurse, but people were annoyed at having there schedule altered to accomadate hers. And since she has given more details in a latter post, I am seeing her side more. And I did say it was a bad situation from the start.
I do not think anything is "owed" to me, I am available 6/7 days/week, they knew about the Sunday issue when I was hired. I didn't say that employers were "required" to do anything, but if they are going to ask me to work a day on which I have stated that I have no childcare, then they should help me secure childcare. Please don't tell me what I think...I don't think I'm "entitled" or "owed" anything...I try not to tell people what they think because then I might seem presumptive and arrogant.
your lack of childcare, is not their problem.
unless you signed a contract upon beginning employement, they aren't liable to provide you w/childcare at all.
and just by the fact that you seemed willing to bring this issue up to the top,AND by soliciting the advice of an attorney, you are inferring that you are owed this...that your 'rights' have been violated.
and this is not the case... at all.
your case is no different than the millions of parents who share the same dilemma.
i've always been under the impression that holidays are exempt from one's normal working schedule.
it sounds like the employer has been accommodating op's requests up until this particular time.
i'm also inclined to think that when running a business, treating employees equally trumps treating employees fairly.
Easter Sunday is a highly religious holiday- one that many look forward to.
in that respect, it seems 'fair' the procedure was followed in requesting this day off:
and that religious considerations are as important as childcare.
i think if the op makes a huge deal over this (hr, ceo, atty), she may end up shooting herself in the foot.
hope you can work this out with another employee.
leslie
Using the Union, DON, CEO, attorney, etc. would be a last resort. I know it's pretty extreme to do such things.
My scheduler has been pretty good about meeting my requests for the most part.
I am a Christian and would really have liked to have been off on the highest religious day of the year so that I can worship my God, but the reason I needed it off was as stated in the OP. By no means do I think that my requests are more important.
On the issue of equality--the workers who get every Sunday off simply for "church" should work as many Sundays as I am being asked to, yet they are not. They truly do get every Sunday off when they are ABLE to work them. That is not equality.
Wow lots of heat here, I am sorry that there some compassion fatigue floating about …Child care is rough, have you thought about the NOC shift, I do it and yea there are some sleep issues but for the kids its great. I leave at 10:30 p every one is tucked it and I sleep when they are at school - Summer is a rough one, I have mine in camp they like it and I get 5hrs sleep – you can try to find a more “family friendly” unit – mine is pretty good at sorting out schedules.. If you can try to get lots of people on your child care list.. Good luck, you sound like a great mom and wife and hey that is job one right?
On the issue of equality--the workers who get every Sunday off simply for "church" should work as many Sundays as I am being asked to, yet they are not. They truly do get every Sunday off when they are ABLE to work them. That is not equality.
Thank you for your insight on this issue.
i agree w/above.
while your employer was sincerely trying to be sensitive to everyone's issues, it ultimately ends up creating a lot of unnecessary conflict...such as you're experiencing now.
Can your husband not request some Sundays off? I for one know I would love to have every Friday night off so I can watch my sons football games in the fall, and I would love to have every Saturday morning off so I can watch my little ones soccer games, then my daughter she plays soccer on Weds and the other little one wrestles and has karate.
The point is, we all want/need time off at times. Nursing is a great career for moms because it is so flexible. I prefer to work nights and weekends so I can get as much home time during the week as possible. There are plenty of things I have to miss, I have to prioritize. Just like you have had too.
If your husband absolutely can not take off Easter, than can you maybe trade a shift or even two for someone who would be willing?
One of the ladies I work with, a CNA who has been an employee for about 20 years always wants Christmas off, well she is sched every other Christmas, so she will pay 20.00 cash to the 1st CNA who will work it for her. She has yet to work a Christmas.
Also no it wont work for Easter, but have you thought of hiring a teenager to watch your kids on Sundays? My 16 year old has a bigger bank account than me from babysitting. And you would have a better chance of hiring a teenager on a Sunday than a Friday night.
Best of luck---it is hard to juggle, but it is doable.
Sorry, but I'm a mother too... and in order to be available to work my scheduled shifts I have to work NOCs. My husband works PMs & days would be great, but not avail... I too have to get daycare, it's what parents have to do... so I should have to work every weekend or every Sunday in your case, just because you cannot, I would find that very unfair. Asking for an occasional Sunday would be acceptable, but every Sunday is abusive...
Now on the other hand apparently your facility has opened up a can a worms by allowing staff to make such requests & has allowed someone to avoid a required shift repeatedly... at my facility we get to put down what we'd "prefer" to work, but with the understanding that you'll more than likely end up working the exact opposite.
One last option is to use PTO, or a sick day... other than that I just can't feel that you have a leg to stand on... Good luck!
I would LOVE to work nights, but my husband is a cop and his assignment changes yearly and he could get moved to nights. We have no relatives nearby to help us with daycare and I have yet to find someone that watches kids overnight, so if we both end up on nights, we would have a three year-old and a special-needs 11 year-old at home by themselves at night. So, I can't do nights. One of us has to be able to stay on days.
It's not abusive of me to ask for every Sunday off, because I work 3-4 Saturdays a month. You're right! I believe my co-workers that get EVERY weekend off (Saturdays and Sundays) should work occasional weekend days! I actually put myself on the schedule for Saturdays. I try my hardest to be as accomodating as possible.
Can your husband not request some Sundays off? I for one know I would love to have every Friday night off so I can watch my sons football games in the fall, and I would love to have every Saturday morning off so I can watch my little ones soccer games, then my daughter she plays soccer on Weds and the other little one wrestles and has karate.
The point is, we all want/need time off at times. Nursing is a great career for moms because it is so flexible. I prefer to work nights and weekends so I can get as much home time during the week as possible. There are plenty of things I have to miss, I have to prioritize. Just like you have too.
If your husband absolutely can not take off Easter, than can you maybe trade a shift or even two for someone who would be willing?
One of the ladies I work with, a CNA who has been an employee for about 20 years always wants Christmas off, well she is sched every other Christmas, so she will pay 20.00 cash to the 1st CNA who will work it for her. She has yet to work a Christmas.
Also no it wont work for Easter, but have you thought of hiring a teenager to watch your kids on Sundays? My 16 year old has a bigger bank account than me from babysitting. And you would have a better chance of hiring a teenager on a Sunday than a Friday night.
Best of luck---it is hard to juggle, but it is doable.
I'm still trying to find a Sunday sitter. I would totally pay someone to work Easter! I'll try that! Maybe $50!
Wow lots of heat here, I am sorry that there some compassion fatigue floating about ...Child care is rough, have you thought about the NOC shift, I do it and yea there are some sleep issues but for the kids its great. I leave at 10:30 p every one is tucked it and I sleep when they are at school - Summer is a rough one, I have mine in camp they like it and I get 5hrs sleep - you can try to find a more "family friendly" unit - mine is pretty good at sorting out schedules.. If you can try to get lots of people on your child care list.. Good luck, you sound like a great mom and wife and hey that is job one right?
Thanks, my friend. I can truly use some support here. I am totally getting my toush kicked on this post!
We can argue back and forth whether or not it is fair, which I think it is, if I have to work every other Sunday, so can everyone else. However, if your children need supervision, that is not going to change. You will have to either get more creative with childcare, or find a new job. Just make sure if you get a new job and they "promise" Sundays off, get it in writing.
Honestly I can relate, we have 4 kids and live in a town with NO family, closest member is my 80 year old Grandma 2 hours away. My husband has to travel a great deal for work, sometimes very last minute.
I am lucky though to have wonderful friends who have stepped out to the family plate many times for me. Do you have a close girl friend that can watch the kids on Easter? or what about another police mans wife, they can I am sure empathize to your situation. I know being a Holiday and all you would not want to impose your children on another family, but I am sure you have a friend whom you would do it for. People in general are really good and do want to help others.
I think in your original post the talk of consulting a lawyer offended some, I know it did me, my 1st initial thought was "are you kidding?" Nursing is a 24/7 job, you know that as well as I, and I am sure you have encountered some who have taken advantage of scheduling.
Worse case scenerio. You call in sick on Easter. It wouldnt be the 1st time some one did it. The best thing to do in my opinion would be straight forward with your boss. I can not work on Easter, I am sorry, but you know my situation and I can not leave the kids home alone. Let her know if replacement aka temp agency/pool will not be covering then someone will have to, but you will unfortunately have to call in on that day.
Then profusely apologize, offer to pick up somewhere else but the facts are the facts, you can not work on Easter.
If they are going to ask me to work a day on which I have stated that I have no childcare, then they should help me secure childcare.
I completely understand why your frustrated by this, but in reality, it is not the responsibility of any employer at any occupation to help their employee secure childcare. The bottom line is that it is ultimately the responsibility of the Parent.
If an Employer provide childcare or what might be considered special provisions for even one Employee, they will have to do it for all. If they don't do it for all, they leave themselves open to all kinds of discrimination suits.
Say an Employee does not have kids. Say they care for an elderly parent. Would it be an Employer's responsibility to secure a caretaker for their mom/dad, too?
You see what I am getting at? The list asking the Employer to secure caregiving would be endless.
Then again, it doesn't hurt to talk with someone from the Union to clarify your rights.
jessiern, BSN, RN
611 Posts
My reaction is coming from the position as the nurse that has been scheduled split weekends for 6 weeks (working every Sat) because another nurse wanted off ever Sunday. I was not asked. Management agreed to the conditions, but then no one was willing to work the split weekends to make it possible. It caused a lot of problems. She was a great nurse, but people were annoyed at having there schedule altered to accomadate hers. And since she has given more details in a latter post, I am seeing her side more. And I did say it was a bad situation from the start.