I went on a job interview at an LTCF this morning that went very well. I was offered a position, and I accepted it however, at the end of the interview, the DON informed me that eyeglasses are not permitted at the facility. I was very confused and asked her why but she really couldn't give me a definitive answer. I live in FL which is a 'right to work' state, so of course, no union, and even the mention of one could mean a pink slip.
I don't wear glasses for fashion. . . I really need them! My prescription is so powerful that there is only one company in the ENTIRE U.S. that makes contacts in my strength and they are glass contacts that the Dr. didn't seem too keen on recommending in the first place as not only would they never correct my vision the way eyeglasses could, but they also have a tendency to fall out, which is definitely a MAJOR problem as these particular contact lenses cost approximately $365 PER EYE!!!!!!!!! I have already maxed out my vision insurance for the year on my current pair of glasses and paying $730 out of pocket for contacts is most certainly not an option for me at the moment.
I am a nurse and in LTC not only are you doing paper charting a majority of the time but to be counting narcotic sheets in a box that is usually bursting at the brim with narcotics and pulling medications all day, I feel that this definitely puts me at an increased risk of making errors, particularly medication errors. It doesn't help that I have only been a nurse for 2 months so I am already prone to mistakes to begin with. I am a very attentive nurse and I like to end my shift feeling confident that I had a safe day and so I know with no glasses, looking extra closely at everything, pulling every card out of the cart and quadruple checking everything will be what I resort to and that will only make me less productive and more edgy and unsure.
I guess my question is: Is this discrimination? My Dr. told me that most people with astigmatism only have about 8% of the astigmatism that I have and that my case is a very extreme one. The only reason I don't have bifocals is because I payed a truckload to have a thin lens and I should be wearing them ALL THE TIME. How can they even feel this is safe. . or fair? To me it's the equivalent of telling a person with a hearing impairment that they are not allowed to wear a hearing aid in your facility. Thats basically tellling us to stay away or hide your handicap and it's forcing me to choose between seeing and working yet as we all know, in this current economic climate, you have to take a job where you can get it.
Everything else about this job is fantastic. The pay, the schedule, the location, it's all great, not to mention, I NEED A JOB!! I was out of work for nearly 2 years to go to school so I really need the money. What should I do??
a. your glasses are what she considers too flashy/unattractive- whatever.
or b: she changed her mind about hiring you and gave this truly-bogus-bizarre-absurd excuse.
i'll betchya...
leslie
I thought they dont like hiring an attractive people,can cause too much distraction. What I think is that true reason they dont want her to wear glasses is probably that they are afraid one of the dementia pt can break it and possibly cause damage to her eyes from the glass....Maybe they had some experience with this.
Wow. Count me in among the others who cannot believe that a nursing home wouldn't allow employees to wear glasses (except the DON). I know that employers can make all sort of rules, but I cannot see a reason why nurses couldn't wear glasses. I mean, the nursing homes where I've worked at over the past few years have had more nurses on staff who wore glasses than ones who didn't, and it never affected their ability to do their jobs. This also included working with dementia patients. Maybe the DON called an audible during the interview, like leslie suggested.
This is the crazies thing I have heard. Hmmm...why would a facility have rules against glasses? Did they have to pay for a few when the residents broke them? This is mind-boggling. I'm with a few other posters here. Just show up on your first day with glasses. If anyone says anything, say, "Oh my gosh, are serious? I thought that was a joke...I have to wear them now though b/c I have no contacts." If they fire you for wearing glasses, what are you going to chart on your next resume....fired for wearing glasses? OMG! LOL!
I disagree that they can't just arbitrarily say no glasses.
They can put any conditions of employment they want at the time they make an offer, by accepting the job you're agreeing to the conditions.
Is it discrimination? I doubt it.
The OP stated contacts are available for her condition, they are just cost prohibitive.
As some who is able to work thanks to the ADA and 'reasonable accomidations'...you are treading on very thin ice if the disability exists at the time of hire and you fail to disclose it and request accomidations. The employer could easily argue that the employee failed to act in good faith and in effect 'set up' the employer.
No, it's glasses we're talking about. This is the equivalent of not hiring someone because their breasts are too small, or they aren't tall enough. Maybe for an occupation where appearance is part of the job (modeling, acting, etc), this would make sense. But not for a nurse.
And no one should have to even attempt contact lenses if they don't want to (again, unless they're a model or an actor). If you want to work for this place, I would just forget about the conversation with the DON. Pretend it didn't happen. If it becomes an issue for half a second, skip the lawyer, call the local news. Seriously.
You are not dealing with a disability here. Unless you're not wearing your corrective lenses, of course.
Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.
This is ridiculous and needs to be challenged...unless of course it was a joke. Wear your glasses to work. They cannot possibly win this in the court of public opinion.
Promise to leave your service dog, your scooter, your crutches, your other service dog, and your need to pee q2 hours and eat at least q6 hours at home.
Promise to wear the glasses on a string around your neck. ***???????
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Is this a joke? Could she have meant "drinking glasses? Lord knows we aren't supposed to drink or pee in LTC. I think we are all knocked out by this one-can your mom make a copy of the admin p and p ? I'd love to see it... If a hospital can refuse to hire people that test positive for nicotine I guess eye glass wearers are fair game...
No, it's glasses we're talking about. This is the equivalent of not hiring someone because their breasts are too small, or they aren't tall enough. Maybe for an occupation where appearance is part of the job (modeling, acting, etc), this would make sense. But not for a nurse.
Employers, at least in right to work states, have the right to set whatever conditions they want. If a doctor wants to live the good life and only hire big breasted nurses barely out of their teens, that's his perogative.
Not saying it's the choice i'd make, but I respect their right. As a guy, I'm used to getting trumped out by women. It sucks on a personal level, but I wouldn't change it. Freedom is more important then me feeling hurt abut it.
Well my glasses are very conservative. They are Versace and very classic with a rectangular lens, a gold rim and black. . erm. . ear hook thingies!! LOL! I get complimented on them all the time as people say they make me look very sophisticated, which is the look I was going for. . Something to counteract my age! LOL! It definitely isn't my glasses.
But I will take everyone's advice and wear them anyway. I'll be sure to keep you all updated on how that works out for me.
I was very confused and asked her why but she really couldn't give me a definitive answer. I live in FL which is a 'right to work' state, so of course, no union, and even the mention of one could mean a pink slip. 
Blackheartednurse
1,216 Posts
Haha this sound really crazy!