How to handle taking off

Batman24 · Jan 6, 2007

If you have it in writing then you are covered. Tell them that you got written approval and that you won't be there. They are taking advantage of you and will only stop when you draw the line. Don't go in.

jimthorp · Jan 7, 2007

If its approved in writing you arent required to answer your phone.

So if it's not in writing you are required to answer your phone? Anwering my personal telephone is not a condition of employment unless I am on call.

My employer provides vacation request forms with multiple copies.

tddowney · Jan 7, 2007

Requested in writing, approved in writing, and put in MONTHS in advance. I don't take week vacations, I just need either one or two days a month for school activities for my kids. I can't not answer the phone, because they'll tell me the day before my scheduled day off that I can't take the approved day off. I'm a relatively new nurse - does this happen everywhere??

I don't see how your employer can make you answer the phone. Who's to say you're at home?

Taking granted vacation days is not something anyone should be hesitant to do.

If they want to fire you over it, then walk away with a fond one-finger salute on the way out. The classifieds are full of nurses wanted ads.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jan 7, 2007

If its approved in writing you arent required to answer your phone. Maybe the refusal should be in writing too. Calling at the last minute to tell you that you cant have a day off you requested and they had approved isnt your problem. How would they know you just werent home. I would be so out of touch they wouldnt ever get me on the phone if my facility did that to me. Actually im out of touch when they call wanting help because they are short too, not my problem ,, hire more people.
You have to make them understand somehow you do have a LIFE and a FAMILY that needs your attention too. Do they pay you to be at their beckon call? NOPE,, so dont be.

Yeah...that!!

Don't ever apologize for trying to actually have a life outside of work.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jan 7, 2007

I don't see how your employer can make you answer the phone. Who's to say you're at home?
Taking granted vacation days is not something anyone should be hesitant to do.
If they want to fire you over it, then walk away with a fond one-finger salute on the way out. The classifieds are full of nurses wanted ads.

When the OP said that she can't not answer the phone, I don't think she meant that she is required to answer the phone (as you say, who is to say that she is even at home). I think she meant that she can't use that as a solution because they will tell her while she is at work that she can't have the vacation time. It makes the situation more awkward, but still, if the vacation has been approved in writing then it has been approved - end of story. Management's failure to plan should not be the OP's problem.

Jolie, BSN · Jan 7, 2007

I had a manager who used to pull this kind of c**p all of the time. It is a sign of an incompetent manager, not a reflection on the nursing staff.

Once a request is approved, it is set, and nothing can change it unless the staff member agrees to said change.

If your manager approaches you at work or calls you at home to tell you that you must report to work on a previously approved day off, politely and firmly reply that you will do no such thing. Don't allow her to intimidate you. She will quit bullying you as soon as she realizes that it does her no good. The bad news is that she will move on to another "weaker" staff member. The good news is that it will no longer be your problem.

KristinWW · Jan 9, 2007

Right - I can't not answer the phone because I am told THE DAY BEFORE! It is the asst mgr doing it, and the mgr always backs her up.

I got a big apology, followed by notification that the asst mgr and mgr need to "talk" to me. Hopefully, I'll have another job by then!

KristinWW · Jan 9, 2007

Someone posted about moving on to another person. The problem now is that I am the new person and I have only been a nurse for a year - everyone else has either been there 10 years or the newer nurses have at least 5 years of experience. I'm also the ONLY one with young children. When I told the asst mgr that I HAD to have off to watch my kids, she kept coming up with "solutions", such as can't your husband watch them? How long are they out of school? Is it a holiday? Can't you get a babysitter? It was beginning to border on harrassment, and she did it in front of a few of the other nurses.

AuntieRN · Jan 9, 2007

I knew my manager was awesome...this only proves it to me even further. She has even gone out of her way to give me time off at the holidays at the last minute to go home and see my family.....I feel really bad for you.

KristinWW · Jan 13, 2007

Since then, the asst. mgr apologized to me, acting nice. Now it started all over again. My shift was over at 3, and no one came to relieve me. I have to pick up my kids immediately after work, and I called out to the desk - nothing. Finally someone trots in at 3:20. I'm told "that's the way it is" from other nurses. The relief even tried to leave the front desk, and the asst. mgr told her it's ok, I can stay a little while longer. I give up.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jan 13, 2007

Sorry to hear that KristinWW...I'd be finding new employment somewhere that doesn't try to pull that cr@p.

good luck.

vamedic4

allnurses Guide · Jan 13, 2007

Since then, the asst. mgr apologized to me, acting nice. Now it started all over again. My shift was over at 3, and no one came to relieve me. I have to pick up my kids immediately after work, and I called out to the desk - nothing. Finally someone trots in at 3:20. I'm told "that's the way it is" from other nurses. The relief even tried to leave the front desk, and the asst. mgr told her it's ok, I can stay a little while longer. I give up.

Gawd... we have people where I work too who just kinda mosey on in whenever they feel like it, and it seems like it's allowed continuously. Makes the rest of us have to stay and cover 'til they get there.