being forced to pick up extra shifts

[Baylorgal]

Can your employer force you to pick up extra shifts or threaten to withhold vacation time if you don't.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

Sure they can threaten. Anyone can threaten anything. Whether or not they can actually do it depends on federal and state labor laws and your employment contract. Regardless, working under management that would even threaten such a thing is toxic and I would keep one foot out the door by looking for alternative employment.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

No.

And if they are doing that, a nice call to the labor board or a nice call from an employment attorney will help stop that foolishness.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

The rules about mandatory overtime vary from state to state. HERE is a summary. Familiarize yourself with your state's law & make sure that you advocate for your own rights.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

SInce it sounds like they are doing just that they probably can. The real question is do you want to work for a place that would do this?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Talk to a couple of employment law attorneys in your state.

Learn the law in your state, learn the law of "abandonment" in your state.

It sounds like you work for a terrible employer. So sorry to hear this.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

SInce it sounds like they are doing just that, they probably can. The real question is do you want to work for a place that would do this?

But are they legally doing this or just being bullies?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

My new employer doesn't mandate O/T. Instead we just work without. It's miserable. I'm currently looking for a new job. My sanity is important. I suggest you do the same.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

But are they legally doing this or just being bullies?

Depends on the state I guess. In WI there are no laws prohibiting mandatory OT and our facility policy is if you refuse the mandatory OT it is considered "voluntary termination." This applies if you are already on the clock and refuse to stay for additional hours. They don't force us to pick up extra shifts or threaten to withhold vacation time but legally, I guess there is no reason that they couldn't.

Granted if they tried I would be out of there in a big hurry. Legal or not, they are being bullies.

[Megg1994]

never feel pressured by management or other colleagues to pick up extra shifts , I have found this working in the health care sector for the past 4 years no matter whether it's within nursing homes or hospitals , there is always a demand for staff .

Remember to put yourself first and ensure you get your rest days .

If you have to do an extra shift compromise with your boss , and say can I finish early or start later , or ask for an extra day off the following week . This always works for me .

[LessValuableNinja]

That depends entirely on in which state you live. There is an in depth discussion about this in another thread.