Forced Overtime???

1. Hi! Does anyone know if it is legal to be forced into working a double shift? A pm shift nurse was forced to also work thru the night shift becasue of a call in. The nurse manager was called and told her " well I'm not coming in" Of course this is on a weekend. Just curious.

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2. 

   About itsme

   Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 600; Likes: 9
   LPN in LTC

   22 Comments

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3. 
   May 19, '03

   Are you talking long term care?
   If so it happens too often. You are the only nurse and no one to relieve you? The management will threaten you with "Patient Abandonment" to make you stay,even with hungry kids at home?
   YEP.
4. 
   May 19, '03

   That is insane!!!! I would tell them they could fire me if they want to hear from my lawyer. I really do appreciate this website because as an inspiring rn student I am really learning what to find out when I do go out into this working field. See if it's in your contract???
   
   julz
5. 
   May 19, '03

   Yup, long term care. In our contract it just states that you may be required to work overtime in an"emergency". It doesnt specify what an emergency would be. It has gotten to the point where we screen our phone calls, so they cant say "you have to come in early" or anything like that! We have new management and it kinda sucks! Thanks for the replies!
6. 
   May 19, '03

   I interviewed at state run LTC as an Aide and they liked to use the term "Mandated". As in, it's not over-time or working against your will, we are "mandated" by the state to have an RN, LPN, Aide, etc. working each hour of the day. Makes it sound like it's not the facility's responsibility to have appropriate coverage but the state's fault.
7. 
   May 19, '03

   I went to our state board of nursing site. It was very clear that facilities cannot threaten "patient abandonment" if a nurse feels she or he cannot give safe care because of too many working hours.
8. 
   May 19, '03

   It is still "legal" to do this to employees.
   Whether it is safe or ethical is another matter.
   This is a good reason for employees to organize and have a collctive bargaining unit.
9. 
   May 19, '03

   Mandatory OT is very common ( at least here). Unfortunately, it is also ill-advised and dangerous.
10. 
    May 19, '03

    I avoid mandatory OT at my hospital by notifying supervisors who suggest it that the day I am mandated will be the last shift I work there.
    
    My brother is a nurse in a prison and he can be mandated as part of his employment.
    
    In the event of a true emergency (i.e. - major disasters where the entire nursing staff is held over) I would, of course, stay.
11. 
    May 19, '03

    You always have the option to call the Wage and Hour Board, you cannot be forced to work anything you don't to unless you are a salaried employee.
12. 
    May 19, '03

    in AZ the state board of nursing specifically states that it is NOT abandonment if you leave when "mandated"
13. 
    May 19, '03

    well it's not forced but we are really getting desperate & our bosses are begging constantly for us to do overtime. We are trying to keep agency out, so we can get the raises & diffs, but man oh man, it's tuff. I think I am there all the time. But it's that or no one else.
14. 
    May 19, '03

    you have something called a life...
    
    it's there for living...
    
    do not feel pressured...
    
    when the call, say no
    if they mandate you, quit
    
    we as nurses should not ever put up w/ mandating!

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