How would this make you feel?

Nurses General Nursing

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Not long ago, the wife of one of my co-workers (I'll call him Joe) had a baby. When her labor pains started, he was immediately put on vacation, and returned when things had settled down at home. During his absence, he missed several days of call which he was scheduled for, which we covered by being bumped up one position in the call schedule. Since his return, he has not swapped call with anyone to "pay back" covering for him in his absence. (Not sour grapes on my part, I have no problem with what occurred so far.)

My wife is due in March. At the request of my boss, I put in for vacation for a couple of weeks in the general time frame that the baby is due. He asked me to do so "so no one else would schedule vacation at the same time." Joe (who also runs the call schedule) was not asked to do the same thing. Yesterday, Joe came to me in the middle of a case and said "Kevin, we have a problem with your vacation request. It seems you are supposed to be on call during the weekend of your vacation. So, to make it fair, I'll trade weekends with you, so you can be on call the weekend before your baby is due, and I'll cover your weekend. (I'm getting steamed as I write this.) I didn't want to make a scene in front of the OR staff or surgeon, so I simply agreed.

Am I getting angry over nothing? As some of you know, I'm not real happy with my current job situation, and I'm wondering if I am letting my overall dislike for the situation cloud my judgement. Or, would you feel, as I do, that someone is playing favorites?

Opinions please?

Kevin

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

does joe know that his coworkers jumped in and covered his call during his absence? it sounds like he does not know the assistance that the staff provided so that he could be off work with his wife.

perhaps someone needs to gently remind him that everyone covered in his absence, and that reciprocation is expected.

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i agree with moonrose...

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Well I guess this guy Joe knows what went on, he just doesn't give a sh.., we all have known collegues like that I think.

Kevin, it is easy to say do it the same way he did, cause you can't, but isn't there a super-supervisor or something, who you can talk to?

And you fixed your vacationtime already didn't you? Is it that easy to-not-get-that?

I admire you for staying cool towards this guy, I would have bitten his head off!

PS: Kevin, why don't you fly here with your wife, get a job in an OR and then you or she can stay at home for 1 or 2 years!

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I would let him know "Joe, You already OWE me a weekend on call when your kid was born and now is the perfect chance for you to pay me back".

-Russell

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Specializes in CVOR,CNOR,NEURO,TRAUMA,TRANSPLANTS.

Most OR's have a back up call, Since you took his call ask him if he would just trade the call with the call that you covered for him. Its a direct way to "remind" him that you covered him while he needed and you need the same. He may or may not take the offer , if he doesnt take the offer then just eat it and chalk it up to being in the OR and not everyone is cool. If not then ask around if anyone wants your call, Im sure you can tapper it out. Christmas bills are coming in and OR people always need to pay off something. I wouldnt allow him to cover the call if he wouldnt take it willingly because you covered his, I would pass it out and let him have the call he has for himself and you just just pass your call off.

If there is a traveler at your hospital OR ask them to take it As a traveler myself I always help out the staff when they need it, They need a break.

Zoe

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Originally posted by Rustyhammer

I would let him know "Joe, You already OWE me a weekend on call when your kid was born and now is the perfect chance for you to pay me back".

-Russell

Once again Rusty has the answer. Direct yet not confrontational...and take it from there!

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Originally posted by moonrose2u

perhaps someone needs to gently remind him that everyone covered in his absence, and that reciprocation is expected.

Ditto. A gentle reminder is in order that his acts set a precedent. That's my favorite thing to say to my NM now.

And you are not overreacting to this. It's wrong.

Heather

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Kevin, I would go back to him and say "hey Joe, come to think of it, I believe that when you were out when your wife was having a baby, I covered you (as did some of our co-workers) and I believe that it is your turn now".

I mean, just because your wife has her due date in March, the baby might have a different idea and you can't commit to covering for him.

Kris

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

Russell writes: 'I would let him know "Joe, You already OWE me a weekend on call when your kid was born and now is the perfect chance for you to pay me back". '

Exactly right. Remember:

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Originally posted by Rustyhammer

I would let him know "Joe, You already OWE me a weekend on call when your kid was born and now is the perfect chance for you to pay me back".

-Russell

Ditto!!

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Joe, who runs the call schedule, is playing for his advantage. This would indeed add to my job dissatisfaction.

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