How many hours do they give you?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 13, 2013

My current workplace schedules using 12-hour shifts. There's no way management at my job would ever allow anyone to work 12 hour shifts 7 days per week because they do not want to incur the staggering costs associated with the overtime pay (time and a half).

Seven 12 hour shifts in a week would amount to 84 hours per week, or 168 hours in a 2 week pay period.

For example, let's assume CNAs are paid $10 hourly at my workplace. The overtime rate would be $15 per hour for anything over 40 hours per week. Management at my job would do anything in their power to ensure that workers avoid getting too much overtime.

Many people work two jobs if they feel the need to work 7 days per week.

flod · May 13, 2013

So you only get to work 3 days a week at one employer?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 13, 2013

So you only get to work 3 days a week at one employer?

It depends. Facilities that staff with 12-hour shifts will usually schedule full-time employees for 36 hours per week, which amounts to three 12-hour shifts in a week. As I previously mentioned, managers at many healthcare workplaces do not want workers to exceed 40 hours per week because they do not want to pay out the time and a half overtime wage.

On the other hand, facilities that staff using 8-hour shifts will typically schedule full-time employees for 32 to 40 hours per week, which would amount to four or five 8-hour shifts each week. Some places offer Monday through Friday schedules while others have employees on a perpetual '4 days on, 2 days off' rotation schedule.

If you have a '4 on, 2 off' schedule, you might only receive 32 hours during some weeks (example: have Sunday off; work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; have Friday and Saturday off).

flod · May 13, 2013

If you tell them that you just want lots of hours without overpay, could that work?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 13, 2013

If you tell them that you just want lots of hours without overpay, could that work?

No, that will not work. State and federal wage laws require that hourly nonexempt workers be paid overtime (time and a half) for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. The workplace will be violating labor laws if they pay you straight time when they should be paying you at the overtime pay rate.

In addition, if you work in the hospital setting, your regular shifts might actually get cancelled if there are not enough patients on the floor. Shift cancellations are far less likely in settings such as nursing homes, private duty, and home health, but they are common occurrences in some hospitals.

Mewsin · May 14, 2013

I work 12 12 hr shifts and one 8 hour shift in a month. I usually work it all in the first 3 weeks and then I get a week off. I get shift diff and weekend premium on the weekends makes my wage about $25/hr. It is very rare that I get overtime.

flod · May 16, 2013

I work 12 12 hr shifts and one 8 hour shift in a month. I usually work it all in the first 3 weeks and then I get a week off. I get shift diff and weekend premium on the weekends makes my wage about $25/hr. It is very rare that I get overtime.

Is that as CNA or HHA?

flod · May 16, 2013

Many people work two jobs if they feel the need to work 7 days per week.

Is it easy to get two HHA job at the same time?

Mewsin · May 16, 2013

I'm a CCA, similar to a CNA in the US.

mvm2 · May 17, 2013

Is it easy to get two HHA job at the same time?

It all depends on what hours you work for you clients. Some people will only work with one client, while other people could have 3 or even 5 different people they work with. I have 3 steady people I work for right now but I had as many as 4. The thing is that my shifts range from 2 to 4 hour shifts with these clients. Bt if you get a night shift with one client, and those are 12 hour shifts they might just have you have just that one client. Also keep in mind that with home care a lot of times they might need someone to take over someone elses shift and you could always be one to take that shift if you are looking for more hours then you are scheduled for.

MommaTy · May 18, 2013

I currently work at a LTC facility as a CNA/unit secretary they are 8 hour shifts 7a-3p, 3p-11p, or 11p-7a. I will be leaving this position since it is only $12.00 an hour and going to the hospital for 7p-7:30a 2 nights a week (part time) $16.50 an hour (this is not including my evening, night, weekend, or holiday differentials).