Is this a common attendace policy?

[Dazglue]

Is it common to get an automatic write-up for calling out for a weekend shift, regardless if you have a work excuse or death in the family? I have a co-worker who has never been written up (until this incident), has perfect attendance, and just an awesome nurse that goes above and beyond for anyone. Around 10 pm on a Saturday night, her son was killed in a car accident. Of course she called out for the following morning. I was the charge nurse that night and did the procedure for the call out to get a replacement. Monday morning, I had to be present while management gave her a write-up for the call out. (Policy requires the charge nurse to be present if management writes someone up that called out on your shift).

My main issue with this policy is that we are not allowed to transfer anywhere within the facility for an entire year if we are written up, no matter the offense. So many people have been complaining about being "stuck" lately because of this unit rule. I know they are trying to prevent people from calling out on the weekend because it's harder to find replacement staffing but sometimes LIFE happens. I am not an emotional person but I had a good cry with my coworker that day who kept asking our manager why was she being punished for her son dying. She was in the process of transferring to a different unit that gave her better hours to spend time with her family, but due to the write up she could not transfer.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Notice? If I got called in

I agree, however not giving the 2 weeks notice would came back to bite them big time. Note my user name

[TriciaJ, RN]

I think in this case no one would fault you for just walking out. Sometimes you just have to take a stand and let the chips fall where they may.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

That is beyond cold, talk about kicking someone when they're down! It is cruel, wrong, and totally inappropriate. I would be looking for a new job ASAP. If you had a union you could grieve it, if not, maybe you could start a petition and have your coworkers sign asking them to rescind the writeup. This is the last thing she needs to be dealing with while going thru the death of her child!

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I would go to HR as some had suggested, surely she is entitled to bereavement time! I would hope HR and the director above the manager would be appalled enough to let the manager go! Absolutely heartless! Also how could this not apply under family leave. Your manager doesn't appear to be fit for duty and should be the one disciplined!

This is not the norm. I can't imagine my manager doing this to anyone. We have supportive management that will even give you extra time off for a loved one's loss.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

"The beatings will continue until morale improves".

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

"Hello, I'm Jane, I'm your nurse for tonight.

I just lost a loved one a few hours ago, but don't worry, my sobbing won't prevent me from delivering the highest quality of care tonight. Don't worry....".

Would you want this nurse caring for you or your family?

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

"The beatings will continue until morale improves".

It seems that is the way as of late for the treatment of nurses.

This whole scenario sickens my heart.

To treat any human in such a callous manner is beyond my any thing I can fathom.

This is a punishment pure and simple.

Will there be public stockades returning soon? Maybe we should adorn uniforms with scarlet letters too.,,

[MBrickle]

Your facility makes me sick. As if dealing with the death of a child isn't the worst thing EVER, she got written up for calling out?! And then they demanded she COME IN?!!

Do you have a union? If so, get them involved. Heartless, awful people you work for!

[MBrickle]

You can PM me the hospital, unit, and city, and I'll gladly contact the press.

I actually know an RN who worked at a local nursing home as a RCC. Her son died in a work accident and she was fired. They called her while she was on her LOA and told her not to come back. She had had a good record there and worked there for several years prior.

YES! Once the press gets word of this, it would be a firestorm, that's EXACTLY what I would do. I have seen it happen - once the press get involved with a good story, they don't let it go!

[RNKPCE]

I would go to HR as some had suggested, surely she is entitled to bereavement time! I would hope HR and the director above the manager would be appalled enough to let the manager go! Absolutely heartless! Also how could this not apply under family leave. Your manager doesn't appear to be fit for duty and should be the one disciplined!

This is not the norm. I can't imagine my manager doing this to anyone. We have supportive management that will even give you extra time off for a loved one's loss.

I agree the manager minimally needs to be written up and probably fired. This is harassment.

[yesterday]

If I were in this situation, it would take every ounce of strength in my body not to resign, effective immediately, and write the following letter to the manager:

"Dear Satan Incarnate,

In light of your response after the death of my son, having me present to work two days after he died, for a write up for calling off ON THE DAY HE DIED, I would like to leave you with some parting words...

First, may you sleep every night knowing your soul lies infinitely deeper than my son's remains.

Second, while I hold professionalism in highest regard, this situation requires a succinct ending to our relationship: Go to ****."

I would rather work flipping burgers for the rest of my life than work for this person.

Now, getting back to reality because I don't know how I would actually handle the situation because I would likely be delirious considering my son's death. The rational approach would be to secure other employment first, then contact a lawyer and the news stations AND then send aforementioned letter or some variation.

[kakamegamama]

I honestly think my aforementioned boss was cloned.......or, "we" (not everyone, but the profession as a whole) have become heartless in the face of tragedy. Goodness!