Is this a legal part of the job?

[BuckyBadgerRN]

Alright, I am not sure if this is in the right area, I'm really not sure where I should have started this thread. Admins, please feel free to move it wherever you feel it belongs!

So, Winter is here, like it or not. Last night at work, I was informed, through the grapevine of course because I work NOC's and it is a pretty damn rare sight to see administration, that it is the night staff's duty (RN's, LPN's, CNA's, we're at a LTC/Rehab facility) to clear away snow that falls/blows in the night. Um, seriously?! What is the role of maintanence? Apparently their day ends at 5pm along with all other administrators?

I don't do snow, not at home and certainly not at work in my Dansko's and thin scrub pants! (I don't own snow gear and you can bet your sweet bippy I have no intention of investing in any!) Is this a demand they can make of nursing staff? I'm truly interested in knowing the law in regards to fair labor. Any insight or links anyone?

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

There's no contract, per se. I KNOW no one mentioned snow removal prior to the exact moment it was brought up to me last night. Again, not by management! Believe me, I would have remembered!

Oh, I believe you. If I applied to an RN position and was told I would be expected to shovel snow in addition to all of my real responsibilities, I'd fly out of there so fast that the entire HR department would be sporting new hair-dos from the back breeze of the slamming door!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Ludicrous. I would be tempted to "strain" my back with the 1st scoop.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Irony of ironies, I slipped and went down on one knee when I was leaving this morning. After saying goodbye to the maintenance guy!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

[lub dub]

This sounds like a joke.

However, most nurses job descriptions have language like "...and other duties as assigned", which could theoretically cover the snow removal thing, if it were not, in fact, a joke.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Oh, how I wish it were! I need to print out this entire thread and post it everywhere!!

This sounds like a joke.

However, most nurses job descriptions have language like "...and other duties as assigned", which could theoretically cover the snow removal thing, if it were not, in fact, a joke.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

No I heard this once at meeting for a small critical access hospital. I reminded them about liability to the patients and staff being available so they decided it would be security....until the ED doc got choked by a patient and the security was out shoveling the front walk.

Penny wise dollar foolish

Of course it's legal... nothing says that your employer can't make stupid requests. By the same token, it's legal for you not to do it.

Could they terminate you? Sure. Would they? Unlikely.

Personally, I wouldn't even make a big deal out of it; I just wouldn't do it.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Last night at work, I was informed, through the grapevine of course..

All you get through the grapevine is sour grapes.

It's silly to even take it seriously unless you are notified of this by management, memo etc

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

All you get through the grapevine is sour grapes.

It's silly to even take it seriously unless you are notified of this by management, memo etc

No kidding. If it's thru the grapevine just let it go. I think someone is just trying to mess with your head and so what is some other nurse was crazy enough to initiate going out to shovel.

[cardiacfreak, ADN]

Hey, why not make the able bodied residents do it too? It would be great for their ROM. ONLY JOKING PEOPLE!

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Maybe visitors should shovel during shift change.