Decline a shift equals termination?

[kparry]

Seeking work and came across something odd.

Preceeding the following paragraph is a grid 24 rows long by 7 columns wide with the instruction to put an x in each box for hours you are commited to work going forward. Hours commited can only be changed with two-weeks notice. And then this:

"By signing this document, you are knowingly accepting the hours you have advised you are available and upon receiving a shift within your available hours you decline it will serve as voluntary termination as per this agreement."

Would you sign this?

I'm thinking if I say I can work Tuesdays 7 AM to 7 PM, they are free to call me at 11:00 AM on Tuesday and "demand" I work Noon to 7 PM or I'm voluntarily terminated.

Maybe this is a common agreement. Surely they have some problem they are trying to solve. But it seems threatening their employees is their first best effort at solving it. Of course they can fire me at any time, but this agreement says if I decline a shift, I quit. Worse still, it seems a handy way to implement forced overtime.

I'm leaning that given the odd document and general messiness, this is not the place for me.

[sharpeimom]

They're setting you up. You work and when you either get fed up, make any plans, get the sniffles, or a sick child... BOOM! Fired with no job and having to tell future employers why you were fired.

Run like crazy as fast as you can in the opposite direction!!

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I'd check the boxes for Monday from 7a to 3p only. They can ask you for any additional time they want, but you are only obligated for 8 hours a week. Surely you can tolerate an 8 hour commitment per week (while you look for a real job).

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I am not understanding this either. Is this an attempt at "self scheduling" so that perhaps nurses will call off less? Or is this for some mandatory call? Or PRN....

If this is a "self scheduling" thing, then I would ask a few more questions. For instance, most self scheduling is done by seniority. Then some places have the most senior then goes to the bottom and the next most senior gets first choice--and so on per schedule. Travellers and PRN's are then scheduled in where there are holes. There are also nurses who because of their seniority have set shifts.

In any event, if you are a PRN and they are asking your availibility, then I would say at least you are given a choice. Most PRN agreements have a min. amount of shifts that one has to work. If this is for overtime and/or extra shifts, then unless you want some overtime, I wouldn't want to commit. If it is for "on call" shifts, again, unless you want to be on call, I wouldn't sign up.

I was also under the impression that in some states, there is no more "mandatory overtime". If that is what their game is, it is an attempt to not hire more nurses???? Are you a Union hospital?

It seems like it could be a policy issue, as if there's a policy in place (or a Union Contract) that states your facility has progressive discipline, this is a contraindication of this policy. On the flip side, a right to work state can do whatever they would like to.

This needs to be discussed with your nurse manager. Not sure what the goal of this would be. Usually nurses have to agree to self schedule. The rest (PRN, call, overtime) is a choice if you want the hours or not and when. Sounds like a glaring response to people who sign up for extra shifts, call, or PRN's stating availability, then stating they "didn't realize, can't do it, sorry" responses.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

As a complete aside, 2 weeks notice is pretty good. Most self scheduling requires you to find your own switch or work the shift, most PRN's schedule you and too bad if you can work it or not...

[BacktoBasics]

I don't think its as big of a deal as others think. Everyone's getting freaked out over the term "voluntary termination". Basically what's its saying is that they want your availability. They'll make the schedule. If something comes up, you got to give them 2 weeks notice. If you don't bother to come in, its considered that you quit. That's like any other industry- if you don't show up when your supposed to be there its assumed you quite (some organizations do have a policy of how many shifts you can not show up for before they considered you quit).

Not a big deal. And they being nice by finding coverage for you if you can't work. Most places make you find your own coverage.

[NurseDirtyBird]

I don't think its as big of a deal as others think. Everyone's getting freaked out over the term "voluntary termination". Basically what's its saying is that they want your availability. They'll make the schedule. If something comes up, you got to give them 2 weeks notice. If you don't bother to come in, its considered that you quit. That's like any other industry- if you don't show up when your supposed to be there its assumed you quite (some organizations do have a policy of how many shifts you can not show up for before they considered you quit).

Not a big deal. And they being nice by finding coverage for you if you can't work. Most places make you find your own coverage.

My concern is if there's any guarantee they'll get the schedule to you within two weeks, so you're able to give notice. And how can you give 2 weeks notice that you can't make your shift when you get sick?

To the OP: I would ask a lot of questions about this and get a written copy of this policy before signing anything.

I work PRN and have never seen anything like this. I'm required to work a certain amount of 8 hour shifts per month, but I sign up to fill in holes in the schedule month by month. I've never been married to a certain availability by my job.

[Kencanwin]

Unionize for your lives!

[Kencanwin]

It appears your place is adopting the retail way of doing things... in retail like staples,walmart, sams, etc. they ask you for your availabilty then in the same breath ask you if you can be "flexible". god forbid you are in school and not into making a carreer of being a sales associate or cashier with said company.

[kparry]

The 24 X 7 grid was part of an application for employment to work as an "RN for medication management and caregiver training." I came across it during a work search and wondered if something similar was cropping up elsewhere.

I don't think its as big of a deal as others think. Everyone's getting freaked out over the term "voluntary termination". Basically what's its saying is that they want your availability. They'll make the schedule.

But there is no guarantee any hours will be available. They are asking for, let say, 100% of my availability on Tuesdays and Fridays for the next two weeks and beyond. I can't schedule anything else during that time. No dental appointments, no lunch with the girls, no sick kids, broke down cars, nothing. And again there's no guarantee those two days set aside will lead to any income or work.

If something comes up, you got to give them 2 weeks notice. If you don't bother to come in, its considered that you quit. That's like any other industry- if you don't show up when your supposed to be there its assumed you quite (some organizations do have a policy of how many shifts you can not show up for before they considered you quit).

No. In another industry (or most jobs) I will have accepted a schedule THEN if I don't show up they fire me. In this case I am asked to accept the POSSIBILITY of work hours and then expected to work if work materializes. And if something materializes on short notice and I decline it, they can state I voluntarily quit. That's quit without notice BTW. The worst kind if quit. Essentially they want to "own" their at-will emplyees.

What the document does is make every call from the office a threat. It just isn't a fruitful way to treat employees, build a reputation, or run a business. I get it, scheduling is hard. Nursing is harder.

I didn't sign the document and I wouldn't work for a company that would ask me to sign it.