Filing a grievance against your manager- opinions

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Hi

I put in a request for PTO for April back in September (as it is outlined dates to do so in our union contract). And I mistakingly thought I was approved it. The manager has 25 days to approve or deny pto in writing for that period, and I hadn't heard from her and the pto stayed highlighted in my schedule, I assumed incorrect that it was approved when in fact the manager just didn't see it or forgot; and another nurse more senior got pto at that time. When I found out my error, I asked my manager if I could take pto the following week instead and she texted the reply "sure, put in the dates". I did and booked my flight. In person she told me sorry she cannot give me off then either and the text message wasn't official.

so be it. However, she took me off my scheduled weekend (per contract, we work every other weekend) and moved me on the days I specifically requested off. Per contract, seniority has say over who is moved and I am most senior on that weekend, which is rare but this time true. And she still moved me.

(so to clarify, I was going to take the whole week off but it would have still worked if I didn't get any pto had she left me on my scheduled weekend bc I was able to trade a day with another nurse for another week she wanted off. I work 3 12s)

I want to file a grievance but I also realize she's my manager and I don't plan on leaving for another job yet. 

What would you do? I haven't called out sick in about a year so I can just do that although she'll dislike me for that also knowing I wanted off but no way to prove that's why I called out. I will not be posting on social media!

Thanks in advance 

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

You have a union and that's good. File a grievance. She cannot break the rules of the contract with the union, and she also cannot retaliate against you for filing a grievance. You are in the right here and it will work out. You don't have to leave just because your manager is being a jerk, that's what the union is for. Good luck and update us!

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I agree, file a grievance. She cannot retaliate against you. And save that text. 

This could an honest mistake on her part, but actions have consequences. She needs to abide by the contract, just like you do. 

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Specializes in ER.

She sounds disorganized and inconsiderate. File a grievance!

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Union or not... if you give 5 months notice, they need to figure it out. 
How can they not figure it out with 5 months, but they can cover your entire job if you give 2 weeks notice when you quit? 
THIS crap is why I won't go back to staff - I'm a grown a$$ man and I won't be told I can't take a vacation that I planned out responsibly. 

5
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Specializes in ICU.

She will know you called off because she didn't give you what you wanted, so don't 

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Thanks for the replies. I ended up not filing it yet. I just sucked it up and requested my next pto for the fall.

then she took me off my scheduled weekends again. For every single weekend for 2 months in the next schedule. This is definitely against union contract and it does make me sad that she must want me to quit that bad. I'm not sure what I do that makes her want me to quit. To my knowledge, no patient has really complained about me. I haven't made any med errors or other mistakes like that. I'm usually out on time. I don't call out. The only thing I don't do is come in overtime often. I don't have major conflicts with any other staff, really I don't know anyone who has issues with me. I'm not the best for sure, I don't get raving reviews from patients besides once every few months, but like I said no one complains either. It's really made me feel bad that she obviously wants me to quit.

so I guess I'll just file the grievance now. Hope it doesn't bite me in the butt later when I want a new job though.

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