I'm not understanding how this can be?

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

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...

i've never had ot working 36 hours. it's not a floor position. when the clinic closes, we're done. now they just want to cut our hours to cut the nursing budget, but yet if they still need us past 4pm then it is mandatory that we stay. i think it stinks but i'm not making any waves. i need my job. i like my job.

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Yes I do get paid if I stay over but that's not the point as I see it.

That appears to be the point as many others see it.

Yes, it sucks, but no it isn't unfathomable or illegal or anything like that.

In my former profession, I would organize a "work in" on the down low and make sure that each and every shift, you had a perfectly good reason to stay those two hours. (This would also address your babysitter issue.)

Disclaimer: I am not suggesting in any way that you do this. In fact, you definitely should not. This is advanced shenanigans and should not be attempted.

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

I don't mean to interfere... where can I find a list of all the states like that (just out of curiosity) I'm in Canada (I wish I knew if any Canadian provinces are like that...)but if I ever move to the states I want to make sure not to move to one of those states...

Do you know where I can find this info?

Thanks:)

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Specializes in ICU.
I don't mean to interfere... where can I find a list of all the states like that (just out of curiosity) I'm in Canada (I wish I knew if any Canadian provinces are like that...)but if I ever move to the states I want to make sure not to move to one of those states...

Do you know where I can find this info?

Thanks:)

It is a doctrine known as "at will employment". A google search pulls up all kinds on info on it, including a detailed wiki page with maps and stuff.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Something sounds strange about this situation. If you are now classified as an 8 hr individual and they give you all eight hour shifts..then when you have completed the eight hours...they can not force you to stay...they can however ask you to stay. If you are now classified as a 10 or 12 hour employee and then they schedule you for that and expect you to work only eight but stay if needed...then that sound like trickery to me. What are you classified as..this is important..will they be changing your status to 8...if so after eight 8 hrs worked you will be in OT...so you may actually make more $ if you stay extra and they are not careful. We still do not know what state you are in....I know Ca the best...you can also check the labor laws in your state b/c YES employers will try to get away with stuff to save money......SAD but TRUE :mad:

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Something sounds strange about this situation. If you are now classified as an 8 hr individual and they give you all eight hour shifts..then when you have completed the eight hours...they can not force you to stay...they can however ask you to stay. If you are now classified as a 10 or 12 hour employee and then they schedule you for that and expect you to work only eight but stay if needed...then that sound like trickery to me. What are you classified as..this is important..will they be changing your status to 8...if so after eight 8 hrs worked you will be in OT...so you may actually make more $ if you stay extra and they are not careful. We still do not know what state you are in....I know Ca the best...you can also check the labor laws in your state b/c YES employers will try to get away with stuff to save money......SAD but TRUE :mad:

She lives in Kentucky, you must have overlooked her post.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Retirement Residence.
It is a doctrine known as "at will employment". A google search pulls up all kinds on info on it, including a detailed wiki page with maps and stuff.

Thanks a bunch! I had no idea what it was called...:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

Yes, it's legal, at least in at-will states. (If you're union, maybe there's a way you can challenge it, but given that you're in S. KY, I sincerely doubt you're working at a union shop!) The only things they can't do are require you as an hourly employee to work for free or for more than 40 hours in a given week without paying you overtime. If they try either maneuver, you can fight back by contacting the department of labor. You can do so anonymously.

If it makes you feel any better (and I know it's cold comfort), my husband used to be forced to work overtime all the time - only when he did, he was paid a third of his normal hourly wage for all hours over 40. It was a weird little trick for certain workers in his profession who worked for organizations of limited size that was slipped into the overtime law changes passed during the early years of Dubya's administration.

So as much as I hate to say it, yes it's legal, even though it's unfair - but it could always be worse. I firmly agree with the previous poster who suggested you look for other places to work. I doubt the cost-cutting at your current workplace will stop there, and I anticipate there will be pressure for many of you to work off the clock. Watch your clocked hours and your benefits. I'm sorry to be such a ray of sunshine ;) and I wish you the best in finding a new and better position quickly.

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What state are you in? Some states, like Pennsylvania, now have laws forbidding mandatory overtime past a prescheduled shift (which this would seem to be) except in dire emergenices--and staffing doesn't qualify.

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I hope you can resolve this with your union but be glad you have a job!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I think the whole thing sounds very unfair but as mentioned before depending on what state you live in probably something they will be able to get away with. In the facility I work at any times they change your schedule or hours you have to sign an agreement form for the change... Understanding that your shift ends at 5 if they expect you to stay beyond 5pm they HAVE to pay you... but I personally think if the agreement is you are scheduled to work till 5 anything beyond that needs to be considered Overtime.

I know hospitals cannot run without funds and their always is going to be a budget but their are some things u just cant go without and one of them is enough staff as well as the quality of staff. Running off good nurses because they are too cheap to pay appropriately is unacceptable. :rolleyes: Not to mention the economy changes effect us all and taking a 20% pay cut is HUGE for most people. Sorry you are having to go through all of this, make sure your union is very involved.

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