How do I get off a "do not return" list at work?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear It's Crazy,

You need to talk to a person. For all you know, you were miscoded in the computer, and no one is responsible for updating that employee information. It's also possible that the person who put you on the list is long gone.

If you did nothing to warrant being placed on a "do not return" list at a facility, there are a few steps you can take to try to get off the list.

Contact the facility. Reach out to Human Resources or your last manager and ask for clarification as to why you were placed on the list. Ask for specific incidents or behaviors that led to the status. This will help you understand the situation and address any misunderstandings.

Apologize if necessary. If the facility cites a specific incident or behavior, consider apologizing for any actions that may have led to the ban. This demonstrates your willingness to take responsibility for your actions and desire to make things right.

Provide evidence. If you believe you were wrongly placed on the list, provide evidence to support your case. For example, if you were accused of a specific action, provide witnesses or documentation that shows you were not involved in the incident.

Follow up. After you have reached out to the facility, follow up with them to see if any progress has been made in getting you off the list. It may take time for the facility to review your case and make a decision, so be patient.

Good luck to you,

Nurse Beth

 

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Wanted to ask... if that's okay:

Why do companies place a nurse on a "do not return" list? or a "black list"? or a "do not hire" list ?

I simply upset a hiring manager one time and was "black-listed" through an entire company - including multiple partnering hospitals. I can prove all of the evidence in the world, however, that just upsets "powers that be" further. 

In your experience, does this list last forever? Are possible employers allowed to disclose that information? And are possible employers allowed to disclose that information when the job is entirely different, or considered a different entity? Would they find that information out, somehow, anyway, if not directly asked? 

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

BeatsPerMinute said:

Wanted to ask... if that's okay:

Why do companies place a nurse on a "do not return" list? or a "black list"? or a "do not hire" list ?

I simply upset a hiring manager one time and was "black-listed" through an entire company - including multiple partnering hospitals. I can prove all of the evidence in the world, however, that just upsets "powers that be" further. 

In your experience, does this list last forever? Are possible employers allowed to disclose that information? And are possible employers allowed to disclose that information when the job is entirely different, or considered a different entity? Would they find that information out, somehow, anyway, if not directly asked? 

There could be various reasons why a company might place a nurse on a "do not return" or "do not hire" list. It could be due to performance issues, violation of company policies, or misconduct. Sometimes, a nurse may be put on such a list if they leave a job abruptly or without proper notice, which could be seen as unprofessional or disruptive to operations.

Usually, there is a good reason, but not always. In your case, it could result from one person's pettiness and power. There is no real recourse because you are on the defensive, and there is no point in suing an organization you want to work for. Unfortunately, with large mergers, multiple hospitals can share records.

Regarding how long such a list might last, it would ultimately depend on the company's policies and the severity of the situation that led to the nurse being placed on the list. Some companies may have a set period for how long a person remains on such a list, while others may have a more indefinite timeframe. Other times the list may not be checked due to HR employee turnover.

Since you really can't know, you can't lose anything by applying.

Whether or not employers are allowed to disclose this information depends on the company's written (and unwritten) policies. In general, many employers are cautious to avoid being sued.

They may limit reference check information to dates of employment and title only. This means they will not give a bad reference to an outside company. The "Do Not Hire" is for internal reference only.

However, there is always the grapevine, and nursing is a small world. As a manager, you can often find out about a potential hire if you dig long enough. This works in your favor if you are a good employee.

Regarding if the black list is job specific- it could be, or not. It depends on the nature of the misconduct and the job requirements.

I hope this helps 🙂

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

This is really great advice. Saving and want to follow!

 Thank you, Nurse Beth.