For one of my jobs, I am scheduled for days except for one weekend a month, in which I'm scheduled for evenings. I am generally pretty flexible about which day shift I get...6 am, 6:30, 7:30 or 8. However, there is a shift that starts at 5 am, which I absolutely do not want. So far, during my two years of working, I have been able to trade out of all the 5 am shifts I have been assigned. Just recently, I was assigned another one, and was not finding a replacement as fast as I wanted, as one I had found backed out of it, so I put in a slip for PTO. The day after I put in the slip I found someone to trade with. I also found a copy of the slip in my work mailbox with a checkmark saying "Not approved" and "on the wait list." Granted, I did know that I had a low chance of getting it, since there were already two other people approved for PTO and three more before me on the waitlist. So, I heard right away about not getting PTO, but haven't heard about the trade that I put through. I'm starting to think I was in the wrong for even asking in the first place. Everyone, including the supervisor, is well aware that I do not want 5 am shifts, especially after working an evening before (I work until 11 pm the night before this next one). I do have to wonder if maybe I blew my chances with a trade since I asked for PTO on a day that I could easily see had five other people before me.
I also have to say that our 5 am, 6 am, and 6:30 shifts are at the hospital and our 7:30 and 8:00 am shifts are at the clinic. I have a tendency to put in trades whenever I'm assigned to the hospital, since I prefer the clinic hours. Also, if I'm asked to switch, I'm always willing to go to the clinic, but am more resistant about switching to the hospital. I also never ask for PTO when I'm assigned a clinic shift.
I am feeling guilty about all this and am not sure if this guilt is legitimate or not. I'm thinking it is, because I know that as a day person, 5 am shifts are included. I am actually not assigned very many of them, but panic when one does show up. I also know that I would do a good job at this shift, while some of the people that are never assigned the shift would struggle. There are others who do well with the 5 am shift as well, and even enjoy them, but it's probably unrealistic and unfair to even expect those people to take them all the time. Not to mention, my preference for the clinic over the hospital is becoming obvious, as coworkers have mentioned that I'm down at the clinic a lot. Also, I'm not the only person that prefers the hours downtown, and I know it. If someone else wants to switch from a hospital shift to downtown, I probably should make the effort to do that sometimes, as well. Yes, I work two jobs, and getting up early is exhausting, but it is also my choice to work two jobs, and still need to do my fair share at both.
So...do you think I should say anything about the PTO slip in (as in, apologize) or just be quiet about it? Is this something I should avoid doing in the future? Do you think I should start asking for PTO for some of my clinic shifts so it does not seem as suspicious when I ask for PTO for my hospital shifts? Chances are, when I want time off, I have a better chance of getting a clinic shift off than a hospital shift.
I don't know though...maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing...
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Is it the same employer that schedules a back to back late pm and early am shift? Or are
is the 11pm shift assigned by your other employer?
I think if the hiring agreement was for different, if you always attempt to opt out somehow you may appear to look like you're trying to beat the system. It may not seem like a big deal if you can get the trades and/or PTO but consider how you would be viewed by your manager and coworkers alike if you did this to avoid working any weekends if weekends were included in the hiring process. There's purplegal trying to never to pull a weekend like the rest of us do..
You've had a bumpy start, it would be wise to solidify your employment before risking having a questionable work history. I would at least show up or offer to trade for a 5am shift on the days that don't follow a late pm shift.
I had forgotten about the two jobs issue. Again, if your manager didn't assign the 11 pm shift, the 5 am shift is perfectly appropriate. You knew you''d have to work some of them. I agree that it looks to other employees -- and management -- like you're trying to "game the system". That would be off-putting.
I have to say you sound like you think you are entitled, that people owe you. The PRN people work PRN because thats THEIR choice, just like you chose full time. Whether they are financially comfortable or not is none of your business. I am working full time but I don't need to. I am financially independent but want to work. Should I not work?
I have to say you sound like you think you are entitled, that people owe you. The PRN people work PRN because thats THEIR choice, just like you chose full time. Whether they are financially comfortable or not is none of your business. I am working full time but I don't need to. I am financially independent but want to work. Should I not work?
I am not trying to sound like I'm entitled, but it probably does seem that way. That's part of the reason for starting this thread--I was wondering how it came across to other people, as I was feeling guilty for even asking for PTO. I don't recall addressing PRN workers in this discussion, but you are right that their finances are their own business and people have the right to jobs and schedules that meet their needs and preferences.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I am not trying to sound like I'm entitled, but it probably does seem that way. That's part of the reason for starting this thread--I was wondering how it came across to other people, as I was feeling guilty for even asking for PTO. I don't recall addressing PRN workers in this discussion, but you are right that their finances are their own business and people have the right to jobs and schedules that meet their needs and preferences.
I didn't think you sounded entitled; I thought you were working out whether your schedule shennanigans were likely to be viewed poorly by managers and colleagues. You've taken it very well when informed that yeah, it's likely to look bad.
I am not trying to sound like I'm entitled, but it probably does seem that way. That's part of the reason for starting this thread--I was wondering how it came across to other people, as I was feeling guilty for even asking for PTO. I don't recall addressing PRN workers in this discussion, but you are right that their finances are their own business and people have the right to jobs and schedules that meet their needs and preferences.
Can I just say that I am very impressed with your responses so far. Unlike some of our newer members even when you have being accused of something you did not do as well as receiving some tough love from us you have been gracious and mature in your answers. Keep this up and you will go very far.
I don't think trading is bad, the PTO could look bad though. Trades should not look bad, because no one has to agree to trade with you, they only trade if they want to, so no big deal. PTO is a bit more questionable.
I work for the state and you can can use your personal time by calling in up until 2 hours before the start of the shift.The thing that concerns me about working until 11 and coming back in at 5am is there is not 8 hours between shifts.This may not be legal.Check with you states labor board.
I am not sure if I took this the right way, but many states require at least an 8 hour turn around time prior to beginning your next shift. So if you work Tuesday until 2330, you cannot be required to report to work at 0500 on Wednesday. (Of course, emergencies are different have different rules.)
PTO requests are generally closed out prior to the posting of the schedule, although your facility may handle scheduling differently.
I am not trying to sound like I'm entitled, but it probably does seem that way. That's part of the reason for starting this thread--I was wondering how it came across to other people, as I was feeling guilty for even asking for PTO. I don't recall addressing PRN workers in this discussion, but you are right that their finances are their own business and people have the right to jobs and schedules that meet their needs and preferences.
I do not think there is something wrong per se about asking for PTO when you want it. You might not get it though and that will leave you with having to work the shift or find a partner to trade. What would be wrong IMO is to call out sick if you try to get PTO or trade but not approved.
I agree with others who have said to check if that is even ok in your state to swing from that late to that early.
This scheduling practice is not good for employees as it leaves them with not enough time to recover and rest, potentially leading to more errors / mistakes. It also does not exactly help with general wellbeing and in times where employees prefer self-scheduling and more flexibility with scheduling it is certainly something that management needs to think about. I have been on the scheduling end as a manager and avoided scheduling total nonsense like having somebody work evening and come back in am or work a friday night before the weekend off and such. Granted - it always took me some while to do the schedule as it requires more juggling around and having per diems to plug in.
One suggestion I have for you is not to talk about which shifts you like and which you don't with your co-workers. Address your request not to get scheduled evening- am with your manager in a respectful manner but do not make it a big topic with your coworkers. Once in a while you may have to suck it up if you do not get approved for PTO or can't find a switch but everybody will be less on your case if they do not know you try everything to get out of that shift...
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
I had forgotten about the two jobs issue. Again, if your manager didn't assign the 11 pm shift, the 5 am shift is perfectly appropriate. You knew you''d have to work some of them. I agree that it looks to other employees -- and management -- like you're trying to "game the system". That would be off-putting.