Need to vent...being volunteered by someone else to do overtime...WHAT?!

[uRNmyway]

So for the second weekend in a row, the NM at the HH agency where I work basically volunteers MY services to do the early morning shift on Sundays. This is besides the fact that I already work M-F 8-5. She gets the owner to call me and say that they really need me to go because someone called in sick. That the NM said she would go in from 3-7pm if *I* went in from 7-3. "You don't need to go in, but we REALLY need you to go." I mean, come on. When the owner of the company you work for says that, can you even say no?

Ok, end rant...

[nursel56]

So for the second weekend in a row, the NM at the HH agency where I work basically volunteers MY services to do the early morning shift on Sundays. This is besides the fact that I already work M-F 8-5. She gets the owner to call me and say that they really need me to go because someone called in sick. That the NM said she would go in from 3-7pm if *I* went in from 7-3. "You don't need to go in, but we REALLY need you to go." I mean, come on. When the owner of the company you work for says that, can you even say no?

Ok, end rant...

I had a co-worker who would use that tactic, that I believe is quite manipulative - because if you say no you risk the owner seeing you as the lone obstructionist and not a team player while the other nurse looks selfless.

If it is truly a coincidence that this happened two weekends in a row and you expect they will be hiring more reliable weekend back-up I'd let it slide - if on the other hand they are happy to stretch the existing staff thin as a matter of normal business operations you have every right to say something about it. They may assume you want overtime hours.

If it goes on I can guarantee you won't really enjoy your days off because you never know if it will be interrupted due to someone calling in "sick". When you then hear the actual bs reason they called in it just makes it worse. Oh, you were stuck in Las Vegas, huh? I guess you forgot what you told the manager?

If your NM and owner are not aware of your feelings on this I see no reason not to bring it up. I doubt they would fire you on the spot just for discussing it with them.

[K.P.A.]

When asked to work my off Sunday mornings I ask for the next Friday off in exchange. Management would rather pay someone else overtime on Sunday than try to fill my Friday slot ;-)

[Sparrowhawk]

Is it legal for them to fire you for refusing to come in on your day off? I say no half the time but what I do do is apparently not enough..sigh. At this point I really dont care.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Is it legal for them to fire you for refusing to come in on your day off? I say no half the time but what I do do is apparently not enough..sigh. At this point I really dont care.

If she's in a right to work state, yup.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

"Sorry I can't do it", "I have other plans", "no", or my favorite, "no thanks".

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Honestly, there really is an easy solution to this and others have already indicated it: say "No." You should not let yourself feel pressured to come in by another staff member who hinges their attendance on yours without your consent.

That being said, I can also understand your concerns about "blowing them off." If you feel better about throwing them a few extra hours that they need, then do so. But at the same time, I would make it clear to them that it is based on your convenience and that you will not always be available to do so.

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

...snip...When the owner of the company you work for says that, can you even say no?

Ok, end rant...

Ummm...yes, I can easily say no. That's if/when I respond to the message left on my cell phone or home answering machine.

It's all about what YOU want.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Thanks all for the advice. I did add my boss's number on my phone, so next weekend if they do it, I just wont answer.

As to letting them know it wasnt appreciated, I did mention it to my boss already. Thats why she said 'You dont have to, but we really need you to do it'.

And to make matters worse, my NM didnt even come in today, they convinced the next night nurse to come in early...ugh...

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

If they need someone to work and they call to ask you...what's wrong with that? How else would they ask you other than asking you? You're always free to say no.

[DSkelton711]

As a someone who works with scheduling, I of course wish everyone would say "yes" when called, but at least if someone tells me "no" I won't keep trying to call them. If you are saying "yes" part of the time, then I think you should be allowed to say "no" also. Then enjoy your weekend rather than having to dodge the phone. I agree with other posters that mention this company needs to hire more or more reliable people.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

As a someone who works with scheduling, I of course wish everyone would say "yes" when called, but at least if someone tells me "no" I won't keep trying to call them. If you are saying "yes" part of the time, then I think you should be allowed to say "no" also. Then enjoy your weekend rather than having to dodge the phone. I agree with other posters that mention this company needs to hire more or more reliable people.

I wish all staffing coordinators would do that and stop attempting for the day once I've said "No." I don't mind being called for extra work: better they call offering me work than not call at all, and if I can work the hours I'll say Yes. But it really ticks me off when I truly can't work and so tell them "No," but they keep calling...that's when I feel no guilt whatsoever about ignoring the phone.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Well its not so much the point that they called to ask me. Its that my NM pretty much volunteered me to work for the second weekend in a row, without really asking if I wanted to. Last weekend she TOLD me I had to work Sunday. I explained that I go to church at 11am so I couldnt work until 1pm. She said she didnt care and that I had to rearrange my schedule.