Is it true that guaranteed hours are not offered very often?
Two recruiters I talked to said hospitals are not commonly offering guaranteed hours.
I wanted my recruiters to be able to guarantee that I get 36hours a week or at least 60hours in two weeks.
(They can call me off one in two weeks). One hospital contract with the agency states they can call me off one 12hr a week... My recruiter keeps telling me I shouldn't be worried but I am cause I've read these forums about shortened hours. And I want my full pay.
Am I expecting too much out of the contract and should I just take 1 call out a week?
You said this..."A question for you, is your agency cutting your stipends along with not paying you full weekly hours, or penalizing you per your contract for missed hours?"
Well I just looked at my paycheck closely. Actually it wasn't buried. Yes they deducted from my PD and my Housing. In other words they did not pay me the quoted stipend. BUT I do see it in the contract..according to the IRS, any hours worked less than the agreed weekly hours will constitute prorating the weekly meals and incidental allowances downward to reflect the total appropriate hours worked in a work week.
So now that I'm looking at all my paystubs, the weeks I worked OVER the 36 hrs did Not give me a higher stipend, but they prorated it down when I was put oncall. Which doesnt make sence. I'm still away from home, still have to eat and pay for my lodging.
I'm assuming since its in my contract there is nothing I can do about that.
Oh and yes they paid me for the 8 hours I was put on call so thats a relief....
No, prorating the stipend is not quite legal. However the vast majority of agencies have a legal workaround. They make up a missed hour penalty that is based on the stipend. Besides not annoying the IRS, it is taken out of your taxable hourly instead of your tax free stipend which is beneficial.
If you look at the amount, it likely includes housing value too.
The IRS could potentially ding your agency for the contract language and practice but it won't help you at all.
@NedRN I'm specifically asking because you said in an earlier post that you would really be mad if they did that. Yes I'm really mad but is there anything I can do about it?
If the contract says how many hours are provided, and you were scheduled and available to work those hour, sure you can sue for the balance owed. You will have to be pretty darned mad because it is too little an amount to go through so much hassle and expense.
Pretty sure I'm repeating myself here without rereading the entire thread.
Sorry but things have slowly unfolded here so I'm tackling them as I see them.
I am short about $500 so far and 7 weeks into my contract. So I expect to be at about $1000 or close to it when I'm done.
Not thinking of suing for that no, but will bring it up to the Recruitor.
I'm just wondering if the wordage "weekly meals and incidental allowances" include my housing.
A big part of me just wants to leave it be and just NOT sign up for another 13 weeks. I got here yesterday and they put me on the October schedule. No she didn't ask me. So I won't be here and will let them know that.
That's the professional thing to do. It is not the hospital's fault. Do it soon - you might find out your agency has committed you to a second assignment. I hope not.
jodyangel, RN
687 Posts
I will keep all time cards now.
Yes I know I'm stressing...but I've lost trust at this point.