I'm not understanding how this can be?

[TwilightRNurse]

They've cut our hours at work. The econony being the critical factor. The manager has been told to shave "x" amount of hours off of the budget. I don't work a traditional hospital floor job, but I do work in the hospital. We've been cut from 40hrs to 32hrs per week. Still full time, same benefits, etc

Here's the problem.

Instead of working 4- 10hr shifts, I now work 4- 8hr shifts. A statement went out yesterday to all of the nurses that said while you will all be leaving now at 5pm understand that if we need you to stay over to 7pm when it's busy, you will be required to do so without complaints. Is that fair? It seems they are having their cake and eating it too.

[HealthShepherd]

It sounds to me like you'd be effectively "on-call" for those extra two hours, so they should be paying you at an on-call rate if they don't need you to stay. If you have to plan your personal time to keep that time free if needed (i.e., not making any appointments or dates for 6 pm), then you should be compensated. It's no different from a person being on-call for a night - you have to stay flexible and within a reasonable distance from the phone and from the hospital, so you get paid a bit for that even if you don't get called in to work.

[CathyLew]

Almost sounds as if the directive is from the top, and even the management knows it isn't possible. they expanded many nursing hours from 8 to 10 or even 12 hr shifts because it usually takes that long to finish up the paperwork!

Management probably has to show they are trying to cut the hours, but know that many will still be working the 10 hrs.

like someone else said, don't make plans for those extra 2 hrs, since you will probably still be working them. If your management tracks productivity and time use, they may be able to show upper management that the 10 hr shifts are needed.

[schruppy7]

That does seem like a sticky situation that they have put you in but hey, if you comply with them now and a better position opens up later when the economy start to rev back up then you may be looked at for a promotion... right? Its always good to have the optimistic point of view here and there. :)

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Are you allowed to "save up" additional hours you work in order to take time off when your unit is quiet? Of course, such an arrangement can only apply to salaried staff, not hourly paid. I think you need to give a little more info regarding your exact circumstances.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

If you work in a "right to be fired any time they feel like it" state, you know the deal.

It's against the law to work for free, whether or not they can ask you to stay you can still say NO--but if you have to stay because there is no relief--then you must get paid. That's a federal law they can't play it. Don't know why they would even try.

That's ALSO the right to work state rule.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It sounds to me like you'd be effectively "on-call" for those extra two hours, so they should be paying you at an on-call rate if they don't need you to stay. If you have to plan your personal time to keep that time free if needed (i.e., not making any appointments or dates for 6 pm), then you should be compensated. It's no different from a person being on-call for a night - you have to stay flexible and within a reasonable distance from the phone and from the hospital, so you get paid a bit for that even if you don't get called in to work.

Good point. They may have to pay "on call" pay if someone chooses to pursue the matter with the state employment agency.

[TwilightRNurse]

I'm in Southern Kentucky. Yes I do get paid if I stay over but that's not the point as I see it. You have a babysitter that you have to pay and you say I'll be home at a specific time and then you call and say "whoops" it'll be another 2 hours. The babysitter needs to know what time they can leave too.

I feel like I have to suck it up because they know we all have to have our jobs in this rotten state of economy that we're dealing with.

[caliotter3]

I would read the handwriting on the wall and get another part time job to fill in the hours now and be a possible fall back should the next logical cut back actually occur.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Yeah, bad situation. How's this idea? I asked about "saving up" hours so you can get time off when your unit's quiet. Any chance you can give your babysitter paid time off when you're lucky enough to be able to claim worked overtime? Is there any chance your employer would agree to a time back system?

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I'm in Southern Kentucky. Yes I do get paid if I stay over but that's not the point as I see it. You have a babysitter that you have to pay and you say I'll be home at a specific time and then you call and say "whoops" it'll be another 2 hours. The babysitter needs to know what time they can leave too.

I feel like I have to suck it up because they know we all have to have our jobs in this rotten state of economy that we're dealing with.

If the babysitter was used to you coming home two hours later, then it shouldn't be a surprise when they are still leaving at the same time...as I see it, there will just be other times you come home earlier.

One thing you do need to take into account is that you CANNOT leave unless someone takes your assignment--you don't want to lose your license just because you don't want to stay.

It's part of the deal, unfortunately.

[shiccy]

As long as they pay for the extra hours I'd say it's extremely fair.

It's like you're working what you did before, at least.

Go in it with a good attitude and think of it this way - you get off early some days now!

[guest2210]

they more than likely did this so they wouldn't have to pay overtime. how often do you have to stay past your scheduled shift to chart and give report? so now when anyone has to stay over, it's at straight time and not time and a half. admin knew what they were doing...