How much I pick up affects my yearly evaluation?

[Loly23]

I recently had my yearly evaluation. I had a really good review. My manager, however, said I need to improve my picking up extra shifts (she included this on my official report to HR)

I understand we all have to pitch in to help. I do as needed. However, my mom has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemo. My (serious) boyfriend’s dad is also in hospice care. My manager is aware of all this. I have not called in once this year - I even come in early every time they ask.

In addition, my co workers have gone behind my back in the past and complained to my manager I wasn’t picking up as much (my brother had a Covid wedding) - I told my manager about the wedding and she just told me to make sure my coworkers know that I had the wedding(which they did). They say I’m “young and healthy and live close so it’s easy to pick it up”

I just feel almost targeted and extra pressure now to pick up despite my crazy life right now, I’m already full time. I was wondering if a manager can include how much I’m able to pick up on an evaluation like that to HR? Like I said, it makes me feel targeted I could be in the wrong here, just wondering input. Thanks ☺️

[chare]

On 9/7/2022 at 6:08 PM, tinycaptain said:

[...]

I just feel almost targeted and extra pressure now to pick up despite my crazy life right now, I’m already full time. I was wondering if a manager can include how much I’m able to pick up on an evaluation like that to HR? Like I said, it makes me feel Targated I could be in the wrong here, just wondering input. Thanks ☺️

Unfortunately she probably can.  Having said that, I think it was a chicken **** thing for her to include.

On 9/7/2022 at 6:08 PM, tinycaptain said:

[...]

I understand we all have to pitch in to help. ...

[...]

No, you don't.  If you are working your required shifts, you are meeting the expectations of your job.  She is trying to guilt you into picking up shifts, as are your coworkers.  If you choose to pick up extra shifts, do so because you want to, not because you feel obligated to.

Best wishes.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

It's unfortunate that this could be an acceptable thing to include on an employee review. NO ONE should have an expectation to work more than their required hours placed on them. I'm one of the idiots that creates a poor work life balance for myself because I pick up too often. But do I fault any of my coworkers that have set up better boundaries than myself? Absolutely not. (I do have a problem with coworkers calling out for BS reasons, but that's another issue)

I would consider reaching out to someone above your manager, or a manager in another department if you know one, to see whether this is an organizational expectation or just your manager. And if you're part of a union I'd reach out to a union rep to see what they say. 

This shouldn't be happening to people doing their job. Everyone is doing their best, and just because you don't pick up, it shouldn't be held against you.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

I would have politely requested that your manager remove the bit about picking up extra shifts from your evaluation prior to you signing the document, as picking up shifts in excess of your FTE status is not within your job description.

With that being said, please do not let this manager bully and guilt you into picking up extra shifts. It is not your job to staff your unit/office, that is management's responsibility. I encourage you to only pick up shifts when and if it is beneficial for you, not your co-workers or manager. 

I wish you best of luck!

 

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

It's messed up that she would even think that's an acceptable thing to include in your review. If you're fulfilling your required hours, boom, that should be it for meeting expectations. Anything else is above and beyond.

I agree with the suggestion to ask if that statement can be removed due to your good attendance record and the fact that you do pick up extra shifts when able. If you get resistence, I would definitely check with the next supervisor up, or a union rep as recommended. It seems crazy that she could include a subjective statement that you "could pick up more shifts" when I doubt that's even in the job description.

7 hours ago, tinycaptain said:

They say I’m “young and healthy and live close so it’s easy to pick it up”

This makes me especially mad for you. That doesn't matter! It doesn't matter how many things you have going for you that supposedly make it easier to pick up; your off-time is yours to use however you feel is most important. Don't ever feel guilty for being there for family and SO, having other interests, and taking a rest. Any short staffing is neither your fault nor your responsibility, and I sincerely hope your coworkers and manager come around to that understanding.

[JKL33]

9 hours ago, tinycaptain said:

I understand we all have to pitch in to help.

No...beyond the basic teamwork that is a crucial part of our job, pitching in is for the needs of a household, the needs of loved ones, for voluntary efforts in your community that you may choose to do...that sort of thing.

Hear me out, here:

9 hours ago, tinycaptain said:

However, my mom has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemo. My (serious) boyfriend’s dad is also in hospice care. My manager is aware of all this.

These are very stressful life circumstances, no doubt. However, if your manager knows about them because you felt the need to explain yourself, that is not good. If feeling that you must explain your personal choices and your life circumstances and things that are otherwise none of their business is generally how you roll, that's (a big) part of the problem. 

9 hours ago, tinycaptain said:

(my brother had a Covid wedding) - I told my manager about the wedding

Explaining personal choices and life circumstances.

9 hours ago, tinycaptain said:

I told my manager about the wedding and she just told me to make sure my coworkers know that I had the wedding(which they did).

Now, see (I'm joking here, trying to keep things light) -- this is on the order of ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer! ? Meaning, this is a slightly outrageous response from your manager--but what in the world were you doing with the need to explain to everyone that you had a personal engagement in the first place?! You don't have to run around explaining yourself!

From a bird's-eye view of this, you need to tighten things up. If you're doing a good job at work (which even your manager says you are) then you need to learn how to become comfortable with being your own person, doing your own thing and not constantly seeking the permission and approval of others for your personal life obligations and desires. The ONLY thing you owe these people is to do a good job at the work you are being paid to do.

[Now if you were anything like me you would tell them you can't come in early the VERY next time they call you...and the time after that, for good measure. Better yet, just stop answering these calls. These people need to learn a lesson...and so do you, albeit a different one. ???]

 

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

If a manager had the nerve to put in my official review that I didn't pick up enough extra shifts that would be the quickest way to ensure I never picked up an extra shift. Since when is picking up shifts beyond what you are scheduled for a job requirement? 

[klone, MSN, RN]

As a manager, that's ***.

One thing I've learned is that there are all different types of people in the workplace. Some people LOVE to pick up extra shifts, and G-d bless 'em. Some people work their scheduled shifts, no more or less. As long as they work when they're scheduled, and they do a great job when they're here, then I totally accept that they are not going to be the ones I call when we are short and are hoping someone will pick up extra. I completely respect that. They have work/life balance, and their priorities are with maintaining that, as it should be! I would NEVER guilt someone for maintaining work/life balance, and any manager or coworker who WOULD is a shitty person, period.

The more I think about it, the more annoyed/angry I get. What a horrible attitude. I really want to have a chat with. your manager.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

3 hours ago, klone said:

I really want to have a chat with. your manager.

It's ironic that your username is klone, because I really wish you could clone yourself and fill ALL the management positions!! You always provide such a positive example of how managers can work WITH their employees and still fulfill the role required as a manager. So many people have been moved into management with no real understanding of how to lead people. Not specific to just this thread, whenever you write I'm always happy for the people you work with- and wish I could bring you to my unit. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

It sounds like you WERE picking up a lot of overtime at one point. Manager and coworkers like that, they are bullying you into continuing. It is management's responsibility to fill any staffing holes. This does not include vague threats on your evaluation. You have your hands full right now. Work when you want and ignore any talk you may hear.

I wouldn't worry about it being on your evaluation, as it is ludicrous. Also, don't go up the chain of command over this. THAT could really get you in hot water.

[Wlaurie, RN]

I always tell myself that management's crisis does not translate into it being my crisis. For a long time now in nursing this has been the management style to work with a nursing shortage and they expect nurses to pitch in over and above their required shifts to make up for it. They may have to hire more contingent nurses or pay double time to get a nurse to come in. Yeah, it's going to cost them more money but it's not fair to tie your job performance into something that is not in the parameters of your job. You have a lot of things going on in your personal life so I would just reiterate that you're not able to pick up extra shifts at this time. Leave it at that and I hope you don't feel guilty cause you shouldn't.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

That's so unfair. I am one that picks up when I can. It is certainly not required. We have people that are also taking care of loved ones, some in school, new babies. 

I am selfish-I have the time and the energy and these checks have been amazing, but I would never hold it against other. I'm sorry.