I am very blessed to have landed a job in a dermatology clinic after searching far and wide.
I worked 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday. I worked 12 PM to 7 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. Well today I was informed that the manager has decided to pay me $30 per DAY for Saturday and Tuesday. Then only HALF rate for today (Wednesday) because I was "orienting".
The manager thinks this is fair pay....and I really want to keep the job so I don't want to cause conflict. But $30 for 6 hours of work? For 2 days! I did 95% of the work alone they showed me the ropes for ONE HOUR then I was on my own completing laser rejuvenations, chemical peels, and light therapy solo....so I don't think it is fair.
I did not even get to sit down for a break yesterday and to find out that I only got paid $30 is disappointing. Yes, I should be grateful.....but I got paid my full rate at the flu shot clinic just to train at a computer...
Plus, at first they said I'd make $35 an hour....then they dropped it down to $25 because they thought that was more fair since I'm a new grad.
I love the work though...I just think what they are doing is very unprofessional. Or am I wrong?
I'd be very interested to see what your pay check says for those hours worked. Is the "manager" actually going to document that she paid less than minimum wage? Brace yourself for more creative interpretations of labor law in the future. If it were me, I'd be polishing my resume, hunting for a job while getting experience while working at the clinic, then forwarding a copy of my pay check to the state Department of Labor as soon as I departed.
I had jobs where I received only 80% of my hourly rate during orientation but that still certainly came out to more than minimum wage. The reality is that if you are considered an hourly employee the employer must abide by the minimum wage law regardless of the phase of work/training.
Speak up now, keep notes of conversations and keep looking for another position. I agree with the other posters that this is indictative of their management philosophy. I can assure you that they are not being compensated at an "orientation rate" for the services you have rendered to patients thus far.
I suggest that you get a little pocket notebook to write down anything they tell you, when they said it, etc... It sounds like you will have to be the voice for professionalism in your office. document document document
As for the orientation pay, it sucks, is not legal to do it that way, but I wouldn't rock the boat for $30 extra/day. You have a real opportunity to raise the bar where you work. You can always be keeping an eye out for something else while working if you think this isn't the right place. It's always easier to find a job while you are already working. It looks better to potential employers.
Sounds like a very hokie operation. If you really need the money stay but be looking on the side and get the experience. If more strange business practices happen re-evaluate that decision.
I'd be scared working for a company like that. I'd ask to see their Liability Insurance and I would darn well carry my own malpractice working for them. What other corners do they cut, sterilizing equipment etc?
That's not even minimum wage which is illegal. Ask them to put it in wirting and then report them to the labor board. They will never put it in writing because they know this is something they shouldn't do. The minute they changed your starting salary you should have known you were in trouble. This is a lesson learned. Start looking for another job today. This place is dishonest and unprofessional. Bad way to start your career.
Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.
Are you working there as an agency nurse or employee of the practice? Agency orientation rates are 50% of regular hourly rate.
HOWEVER, NEVER less than Federal Minimum WAGE AND TODAY THAT IS $7.75/HOUR!!!!!
NO NURSE anywhere should be working for $30 FOR AN 8 HOUR DAY EVER.
Clarify with your agency or employer. Document everything. Say something like, "I'm confused can you write down what I am getting paid for orientation so I have a copy please'? Play stupid but out fox them.
Keep looking for a permanent job elsewhere. I am sure not having worked for a while SOME money is better than NO money, and you ARE gaining experience. DO NOT let on that you are keeping records, do not accept anything less than a check with an itemized pay rate, hours worked, and all deductions taken. KEEP the stub safely, and collect them each payday. When you leave turn your documentation over to labor and wage in your state. YOU will be paid all back wages and they will be reprimanded and fined.
My daughter work for a dermatology practice which was run by the doctor's wife. She always tried to get over on everyone. They all kept records and after they left reported the practice. Everyone got compensated for wages in arrears and the practice fined and reprimanded.
Good Luck, I know first hand how difficult finding a job is. ONLY took me 14 months and I have decades of experience. DO NOT GIVE UP.
If you continue with this job, just remember this incident very well for your future reference. If you keep it fresh in your memory, then you will not be surprised when you are hosed again, because it most certainly will happen in some way.
I get the feeling that this person is exploiting you. If you raise a ruckus, and rightly so, then the next line you will hear is, "We have 500 resumes from other unemployed nurses busting the hinges off our doors to work for us." Sickening.
$30 for 6 hours of work is not only wrong and unfair---it is illegal! That's not even the minimum wage in your area! I know that it's tough to find a job nowadays. But if they did something as wrong as that to you, what else are they capable of doing? Even if it took you forever to get a so-called "nursing" job, that's not enough reason for them to take advantage of you and go against the law. But if you decided that you really love working there, it's up to you, you'll have to go with the flow and whatever they give you for now.
Thank you all for your help! Happy Thanksgiving by the way. Yes, I am going to confront her on Tuesday about this. Minimum wage here is $8.25...so $30 is unacceptable. She says it's because I was training, but training or not...I gave up my time for the practice.
It is a privately own practice. They are all relatives, close friends, etc. working there. So it is pretty shady the way they operate. The business manager is an accountant....yet she gives medical advice to clients??? Kind of crazy. The doctor just stays in his office all day...I've only seen him once. So she calls all the shots. I think it's his wife or sister...not sure yet.
I enjoy the work so far and the other employees are really nice (they did give me fair warning that this woman was "stingy" but I had no idea....)
I will continue working here while looking for another job on the side.
Why would you keep working there? Go and work at McDonald's and earn more for less risk. It sets a very bad precedent when a professional nurse will work for that kind of crappy wage - if you even call that a wage. Just makes them think it's ok to do that to the next nurse!
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Freedom42
914 Posts
I'd be very interested to see what your pay check says for those hours worked. Is the "manager" actually going to document that she paid less than minimum wage? Brace yourself for more creative interpretations of labor law in the future. If it were me, I'd be polishing my resume, hunting for a job while getting experience while working at the clinic, then forwarding a copy of my pay check to the state Department of Labor as soon as I departed.