Clocked in - sent home

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I work at a hospital and this is the first time this has happened.

I'm sure you all are familiar with low census days.

I went in today, clocked in and was to be pulled to a unit down the hall I regularly work. Found out there was 3 nursing assistants (that's what I am) scheduled which was too many.

The PNCC called the nursing supervisor and she said then to send one of the assistants home. I said I'd go as this may be the last day I can get off till after the heavy winter sick season is over with.

As I was going home, I recalled that somewhere I heard or read or something that if one comes in to work on a scheduled day and then is sent home because of staffing, that they need to be paid for 4 hours work.

Maybe this is just a policy for temporary/agency staff but I was curious if it is good for full-time employees or maybe a labor law or whatever.

If anyone can supply good information, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks all in advance,

jan

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I don't know about labor law but this happened to me once due to a hurricane and I was paid for 4 hours. You should look into it.

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My hospital says to pay for 2 hours. Better than nothing!

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the cna's at my hospital get paid for 4hours if cancelled less than 2 hours before start of shift. really, it is their job to figure this stuff out ahead of time, not at your expense

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

At our place, all employees---2 hrs

Mary Ann

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I think you have to check w/your hospital as to what their policy is.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I believe it is a state law here in California that you're entitled to a minimum 2 hours pay, any time you report for work. I don't know if that's an expansion of federal law, though, or if federal law has the same provision.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

Our hospital will ask if you want to go home if so, no pay, if you insist on getting the paid time, two hours, then they find a place for you to work for those two hours.

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Our hospital will ask if you want to go home if so, no pay, if you insist on getting the paid time, two hours, then they find a place for you to work for those two hours.

That sounds like what my hospital is probably like. I'm sure they've paid high price lawyers to find out how to legally squeeze every last nickel from the staff.

Thanks for all replies! I will look into it further. Maybe I'll find something in the policy and procedure manual.

jan

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Specializes in L&D.

LOL yeah, at the last hospital I worked for they sent staff home if they were overstaffed because of census. And they paid you ONLY for the brief time you were there.

Oh and it didn't matter if you didn't work 40hrs. that week because of it. NO hours were guarenteed.

So ask...but don't assume you will get paid anything more. When I worked agency, if they sent you home when you arrived they had to pay you 4 hrs. Some places would find stupid stuff for you to do JUST so they didnt' have to pay you without getting something out of you.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Definitely look into it. Good luck

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Here in Oklahoma, we get nothing....regular employees may be sent home

without notice with no compensation.

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