13 hour shifts and no break!

[greensister]

Nurses are working 13 hour shifts in the community in a local Trust. It runs from 7 pm--8 am. The nurse may or may not get a break, depending on the demand, as theya re on call, so in effect could be driving 13 hours without a break, though they are told to take a 20 minute break after 6 hours to "keep legal". To add insult to injury they ae paid 12 hours as the reasoning is some nights they are in the office a long time if they dont get a call out. Nevertheless the Trust advertises the service as 24 hours, so they are getting an hour free. Is this legal--or safe? Some years ago, when we did 10 hour shifts, the same case was brought up and won--we were paid for the full 10 hours but a new manager has reversed this.

GS

[roser13, ASN, RN]

What is a Trust?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Can't speak to legal since I don't know where you are, but sure is not right.

[greensister]

I am in Yorkshire UK but can't be more specific,

Thanks,

GC

[Katnip, RN]

Ah. My understanding was that in the UK most hospitals only have 8-hour shifts. Guess I was wrong.

As far as 13 hours without a break, unfortunately in the US it's pretty common. Not ethical, and we're supposed to get paid for that 1/2 hour lunch we were denied, but a lot of nurses don't want the hassle of filling out the paperwork.

As far as legal in the UK, I wouldn't know, but I'd say if you're working 13 hours you should be paid for it. I don't know how they say you have to work that unless you're actually getting an hour off somewhere in that time.

It sounds like you will need to gather your forces and get that reversed again. Seems the new manager doesn't know about the history of the suit.

And may I ask, what is a Trust? Is it a hospital?

[greensister]

Hi Katnip---a Trust is an orgnanisation which runs the nursing situation both in community and hospital, the hospital being known as the acute side. The new manager knew all about the situation but just wanted to get some brownie points with her bosses-we guess. Its bad enought doing ten hours overnight and driving, even when you have had your rest the day before, I am surprised there hasnt been a terrible accident, combining these risk factors of driving and drugs, its difficult enough sorting palliative drugs out in hospital with double checks, on the community you havent got a second qualified to check for you either! I am surprised no-one has fallen asleep at the wheel or given wrong drugs! Thank goodness I am out of it!

gs

[greensister]

The boss has simply said take two half hour breaks and switch off your phones. Fine so this makes it a 23 hour service not 24 as advertised as the trust is only paying for 23 hours( including days of course). I would take the two half hours together--equals one hous, two seperate half hours in 13 hours is no use whatsoever. They admitted we were right 6 years ago but this new line manager just stopped it and now the big boss , who gave it to us initially, has now simply refused to negotiate and said thats that. Because of the difficulties of keeping your job and the rest of the staff cant be bothered, it seems she will get away with it!

greensister