Has anyone worked a per diem job like this?

ctmed · Jul 22, 2012

I work at a job as a nursing assistant. Anyway they put me on their schedule without asking me what I can work. They also change the schedule without telling me. Every other per diem job has always called me to ask if I can work that shift and what would work for me.

You need to be more specific. Short answer is, yes, they can. Under employment-at-will, they can change the schedule whenever they want and fire you for no call/no show if you do not show up. However, this is kind of a messy way to do things and most savvy employers are not going to do this. By "per deim", I am going to assume you mean an agency as opposed to "PRN" directly for a facility. However, I will discuss each.

If this is for a per deim agency, it is in their best interest that you show up or else the agency does not get paid. Only a lazy recruiter who does not want to make 50 phone calls is going to just going to "put" someone on schedule without asking. You may wish to speak with the agency manager about that because one mistake where someone does not show up, and the agency could not be called again.

If this is PRN, you have a totally different story. I have had this happen to me as well. Usually, the culprit is a CNA supervisor who will have to work the floor if someone does not show up for a shift. Rather than have to tell the big boss that they could not find anyone, some unethical supervisors will just put someone down so they can be in the clear. Talk to the DON, if you believe this is the case.

livelifeloveRN · Jul 22, 2012

Yep, this gets done to me as well. I will set my schedule for the next month then about a week later I check to make sure it is still the way I set it up. Just recently I checked and instead of my wed&thur night my supervisor put me on call fri and working sat&sun. ***

rosey35cna · Jul 22, 2012

I work for a facility. Imo I think that they should call me first to make sure i can work instead of just putting me on tbe schedule.

chorkle · Jul 25, 2012

Depends on what PRN means, where you are.

Up until several years ago, PRN often meant you, the worker, were essentially on call, 24/7; and you had best be aval. when the employer called. Among other things, this meant you could not have any outside activities--another job, school, children to take care of, etc. Clearly, few people could handle such an arrangement; and the requirements of the employer didn't seem to differ if they wanted you 18 hours a week, or 2 hours a week.

More recently, PRN has seemed to mean, if you're available when the employer calls, great; and if not, no foul. Maybe things are changing back the other way.