Come to work or get fired-Hurricane Irma!!!

HyzenthlayLPN · Sep 8, 2017

Most facilities I have worked at did a similar thing for holiday weekends: if you called out, you were fired. I haven't gone through any natural disasters (thankfully).

If you are scheduled to work, a hurricane that you've known about for nearly a week isn't a good reason to call out. The residents still need care, hurricane or no hurricane. So, if you are scheduled to work make arrangements for your family, pets, etc and plan to be at work for quite some time. See if your facility will make arrangements for staff to sleep, eat, shower, etc because you could end up being there a few days.

elkpark · Sep 8, 2017

My mother is in a SNF in a coastal community in southern Florida. I certainly hope that the staff is going to show up to care for her and the other residents and, yes, I hope that, if they don't, outside of a true personal emergency (not just lack of planning and preparation on their part), they get fired. At least.

sideshowstarlet, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2017

I would hope LTCs/SNFs on the coast of Florida would evacuate, and we wouldn't have another Port Arthur situation.

Blackcat99 · Sep 8, 2017

I am certainly going to do my best to get to work. I wonder if "nursing management" is going to show up for the disaster or if they are going to stay safe at home?

DowntheRiver · Sep 8, 2017

Does your job not have a Team A and B? Usually you are told to show up at a certain time before the hurricane hits, you stay there 3 to 5 days while working shift work, and then recovery shows up and works for 3 or 4 days straight. Staff is deemed essential and non-essential and essential staff must show up. Usually employees are paid time and half while working and then just regular pay or half pay while they're sleeping/relaxing/not working their designated shift.

Edit: Essentially you should be getting to work before the storm comes so it won't be a problem to get to work when it does hit.

neuron · Sep 8, 2017

I would think the facility would evacuate. Yes someone has to be there to care for the residents, but you have to protect your life too. What happens when you all need rescuing.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Sep 8, 2017

I've been management for more than 15 years through hurricanes and blizzards. Did I stay home because I wasn't on the schedule? NO. I had a DON get hauled in to the police station because she tried to make it into work in a blizzard.

ginursie · Sep 8, 2017

As professionals we have great critical thinking. I think each situation unique. I trust each of us to do our best.

neuron · Sep 9, 2017

Sounds like a LTC..threatening people.

BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2017

I'm afraid there will be no place to work at as the facility will be destroyed... Fired or not fired, still - no work.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2017

Wow!!! This notice was posted at my job!!! Show up or get fired!!!! Do any other LTC facilities have these kind of notices too?

When we had inclement weather the three facilities I have worked for basically said the same thing. We don't do snow in my area AT ALL. And we still have to go to work unless we are in the ED or dead. I have driven to work in a tornado warning before. (Fortunately, it was about 10 miles to the east and heading east!) I've also driven to work in a snow storm/blizzard.

So yes, that's pretty standard! Unless you evacuate the residents, someone needs to be there. (And evacs of medical facilities/LTC/SNF/AL is a pain.