Is this fair??

leslie :-D · Jul 14, 2011

If they refuse to honor your break or give the money owed to you, call the DOL. This should be non-negotiable.

my first thought was dol, as well

when my son was fired from a job, he went there to obtain his final paycheck.

mgmt was messing w/his head, and told him he'd need to provide positive id. :-l

i told him to call dol, he did, and someone from there called mcdonald's that day.

i drove him back so he could get his paycheck. :rolleyes:

there are many folks who do not play by the rules of the game...

such as your employer.

seriously, call dol.

i'm in ma, and know they provided service stat.

i wouldn't get others in the hosp involved (not even DON).

because if you make a 'stink' and fight for your rights, it can come back to haunt you.

let us know how it works out.:)

leslie

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2011

My facility is very big on us taking a break. In fact they won't NOT pay you unless you are clocked out for 31 min. In the policy it says to clock out for meals and have your break. If you are called back on or have to come back for whatever reason then you clock back in, if it is below 30 mins they automatically will pay you for whatever time and you get try and get a break again and clock out again.

They have run into problems lately for changing it because people are clocking out for exactly 30 mins and so the system is still paying them so we are encouraged to take 31-35 min lunches.

The unit I am on is very supportive and run a bit differently. We in the summer have a lot of down time. SO typically we go down to get lunch, (cafeteria opens from 12-3 am for night shifters) and when we come back up we take out break. We do it this way because the lines in the cafeteria can get so long at certain times that it can take the whole 30 mins to get your food. Typically you have to eat in the break room but on nights we eat at the nurses station since there are only 3-4 of us there and everyone is usually in their rooms by 1 in the morning.

It seems to work so I don't mind it at all.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2011

My first RN job ever was much like the one the OP describes. On paper, they say you are encouraged to take your break. In RL:

It is never a good time to take it. No matter when you go, someone is in your ear about how you could have picked a different time ("Didn't you know the ER was going to send people?") and the entire time you are at break, people are asking for help. BUUUUTTT.........don't you dare mark "No lunch" on the time clock.

I'd love to sit here and tell you "Face your manager"................"Report them"..............."Mark NO LUNCH no matter how much they complain about it". That is not what I did though, while I was in your shoes. Mind you, I was working the job I described above when you could get hired at a new job two hours after quitting your old one. So, I imagine, I'd be even less brave/bold today than I was then.

It is a foul situation to be trapped in, for sure. On one hand, facilities that operate this way are going to continue doing it.......including to you....until something makes them stop. It's almost like.........someone has gotten rapped and is deciding whether to report it or not. On the other hand, well.......eh, we all know what the economy is like and how hard it is to find a job. These days, I'm very weary of bitting the hand the feeds me. I have my limits, but my boundaries have changed a lot recently.

There are so many things to consider other than simply "Teaching them a lesson", with "them" being your employer.

1. How quickly can you find work if you find yourself jobless?

2. If you are unemployed long term, who does it effect besides yourself (children, room mates etc...)?

3. Do you have a viable backup plan in place, one you can really rely on, if you are unemployed long term?

4. If you get benefits from your current employer, are you able to go without them long term if the need arises?

5. How big is your current employer and how many bridges will you burn if you leave them on bad terms?

My advice: Choose your battles and don't be too hasty to pick a fight. What you might want to do is simply bring the problem up to your direct manager and see what kind of vibes you get. If you get a snerky prepared statement like "It is your responsibility to manage your time in a way that you get your break..........." then you know it is a touchy subject. If that is the case, remain under the radar and look for work elsewhere. Since you will still be in good standing with your current employer, a transfer to another unit or facility within the system will even be available. Also, look outside the complany. If/when you find that new position in which you think you will get your breaks.......rejoyce and be honest if you are given an exit interview.

This is called "Voting with your feet". Eventually, enough people will, like you, find new work and they will have no choice but to reconsider their ways or..........well, good luck keeping yourself staffed and PG scores up.

Thats how I'd handle it anyway.

caliotter3 · Jul 14, 2011

The information in your post is precisely what the Labor Board exists for. Give them a visit.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2011

I wouldn't get out of bed for $9.25 p/hour, let alone $11. And not giving breaks to people @ work is illegal. Contact your industrial relations department & get them to sort it out.