Clocking out

[Kathan123]

Can my employer force me to clock out before I have finished documenting on patient care?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Can my employer force me to clock out before I have finished documenting on patient care?

Yes, your employer can certainly demand that you clock out at any time and for any reason, even if you have not finished your documentation.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PP is correct. However, make sure that you inform your supervisor that you haven't completed your documentation... in writing is best, so you have a record that you have informed him/her, including a summary of anything that was not yet documented. And, for heaven's sake DON'T continue to finish your documentation 'off the clock'.

To me, this feels like a newbie supervisor enforcing the 'rules' against incremental overtime... but doesn't have a clue about the consequences of that action (E.g., the distinct possibility that a clinical error could be made because of the missing information). smh

[chare]

PP is correct. However, make sure that you inform your supervisor that you haven't completed your documentation... in writing is best, so you have a record that you have informed him/her...

[...]

I agree, and would add this: if you have an employer email account I would suggest using your email, and BCC yourself to a personal email account. It's amazing how often letters are conveniently "lost."

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

Yes, they can make you clock out before you are finished, but they can not make you finish the documentation off the clock.

Clarify with the supervisor when they want you to finish documentation since you will be leaving once clocked out. If they tell you to finish documentation off the clock, I would be contacting my local Department of labor.

As said above, document it in writing (e-mail is best with copies sent to your personal account also).

[Kathan123]

Excellent suggestion. Thank you.

[Kathan123]

Thank you for your help.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Sure they can. I'd inform them that you're NOT done documenting however and no way would I document off the clock