Does an employer have to have staff phone numbers?

navyguyhm3 · Mar 24, 2011

Not sure of any legalities but lets say they need to get a hold of you because of a med error or some issue at the facility that you needed to know about. I don't there would be any legal ramifications, but I'd provide it anyway...if they call on a day off..just make an excuse as to why you can't come in, but dont make it a habit. Go in sometimes if they call, it shows that you're dependable, you don't want to look like a slacker...even tho it is your day off. just don't let them take advantage of you. number or no number or wrong number, they will eventually figure it all out. but most facilities have some kind of recall roster in the event of an emergency.

Davey Do · Mar 24, 2011

Interesting question ,sasha2lady. In my all my years being in Nursing, I've never heard of such a "rule" that Nurses have to leave a phone number with an Employer. It's merely the way that it's always been done.

And I'm with you on two accounts: 1) My employer does not have an updated Log of Employee numbers. 2) I do nothing extra, except work my scheduled hours.

My employer has my land-line home phone number and not my cell number. We communicate cheifly on a scheduled basis. And since I work straight midnights, I let them know they need to contact me before noon if they wish to speak to me.

I maintain clear-cut boundaries in my relationship with them. Ya know, if ya give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile.

Dave

sasha2lady · Mar 24, 2011

I have never seen or heard of an actual rule regarding this either..like you said it's just kind of alwYs been there. I work nights 12 hrs so I feel like if someone really needed me they could call me at work. While I'm at work I go full speed. I do my work . Usually if I get a call it's about being short & the reason I don't do extra time anymore is because it's never appreciated. Last time I did it I never got a thank you or nuthin and was left in a bigger mess than usual so ever since I either say no or let my machine take the call. I am still thinking about marking mine off.....

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2011

Do you ever get put on call? You might want to keep a phone number there for that. I don't really see why you would want to go that extra step of not allowing your employer to have your phone number. It would seem shady to me if I were a manager. Is it that much of an imposition to just not answer when they call?

elkpark · Mar 24, 2011

I'm not aware of any "legal" requirement, but every employer I've ever worked for has required it. I would imagine that, if you really took a stand on this, you could find yourself unemployed.

I guess I'm curious about the idea of working for an employer that wouldn't know how to contact you. :confused: I've never heard anyone suggest that before, and it seems basically unreasonable and unworkable to me.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2011

The "rule" is whatever conditions for employment your facility has. If they have a policy that all employees provide valid phone numbers, you have the choice of whether or not to work there. If it's more important to withhold your phone number and not be unemployed by that facility, that's your decision to make.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Mar 24, 2011

I would assume in case of emergency or urgent issue they would need your phone number.

Like I forgot to sign something one night(it was one of those nights) and they didn't know whether I gave it or not and I called back right away saying I did. I was glad they called me for that.

But calls asking to come into work on my day off. I don't pick up. I have no time to do any extra shifts.

TonieRN · Mar 24, 2011

I work both in a hospital as a staff nurse and in an office as a manager. YES, the employer NEEDS a way to reach you. It is up to you whether or not to work extra; however, remember...there is NO longer a nursing shortage. Just something to keep in mind. If you are NOT willing to go the extra mile, there are MANY others who will. And, IMO, when you pick up an extra shift, your thanks is your time and half on your paycheck.

As far as being on the management side...ya know what?? If the weather is bad, I NEED a way to contact the employees to give them direction...ie stay home for 2 hrs..will reassess the weather ect. I can ALWAYS get in...have an employee 30 min out (that is when the weather is perfect) who I refuse to ask her to risk her safety to come in, BUT we need to touch base....communicate.

best of luck

bjaeram · Mar 24, 2011

Of course they need your number. They may need to call for several reasons. What if they aren't sure if you gave a med, what if there is a disaster and they need help emergently, what if they just want to set up your eval. There are so many reason they may need to get you. You can always screen your calls and let your voicemail get a message. I usually do this but at least I know if it's something important.

What if you don't show up to work one day because you overslept....my hospital has been known to have the police go to your house to make sure you are okay if you don't answer your phone....do you really want that knock on the door?

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 24, 2011

I agree with TonieRN - your employer needs a means of getting ahold of you. It doesn't mean that you have to take the call. Most phone plans have caller id standard - just don't answer it and retrieve the message later. They could be calling to census reduce you, they could be calling because of weather or an emergency, could be calling because you forgot to sign something.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Mar 24, 2011

Yes, they need your number. If we are cancelling due to low census and I can't get hold of you, you will be sent home even if it is for 4 hours and have to come back after that 4 hours...not my problem. You don't show up for work...and if I can't get hold of you then you are considered a no show and you will accumulate 5 points per hour, so if you are working a 12hr shift, you are pretty close to getting fired since you can only call in for 112 hours in a rolling year...so if you have points, you are sunk and there isn't a thing I can do about it. I need your number to see if you really did give that digoxin or some other med so that I know I am not over or under dosing someone.

You don't have to answer your phone, I don't really care as long as I have a valid number.