Law re: time off for nurses to help with disasters

check out ana's bioterrorism and disaster response website

how to protect yourself

while nurses have a primary commitment to the patient, we also have a responsibility to preserve our own safety so we can care for others. the following web links provides valuable information to help promote nurses' safe response to emergencies and disasters, especially those associated with biological or chemical terrorism. learn about your rights to a safe work environment while responding to emergencies!

information from ana it is also important that you work with your employer as part of your preparation to participate in this type of response effort. ana's commission on workplace advocacy (cwpa) developed two position statements to help guide you in your discussions with your employer. the first position statement, registered nurses rights and responsibilities related to work release during a disaster, which is posted in pdf format, speaks to the rights and responsibilities of registered nurses who desire release from their workplaces for the purpose of participating in a disaster relief effort. the second position statement, policy for work release during a disaster pdf, is a policy for use by employers to govern the release of registered nurses from their workplaces for the purpose of participating in a disaster relief effort.

http://nursingworld.org/news/disaster/bioprot.htm

The Department of Labor's toll-free Call Center can assist workers and employers with questions about job loss, business closures, pay and leave, workplace injuries, safety and health, pension and health benefits, and reemployment rights for reservists.

Toll-Free Numbers to Call For Questions Regarding:

Job Loss, Layoffs, Business Closures, Unemployment

Benefits and Job Training:

1-877-US-2JOBS

Reemployment Rights for Veterans, National Guard or Reservists:

1-866-4-USA-DOL

Loss of Pension and Health Benefits, or Health Care Portability:

1-866-4-USA-DOL

Injuries and Fatalities:

1-866-999-3322

Pay, Overtime, and Family Medical Leave:

1-866-4-US-WAGE

Workplace Safety and Health:

1-866-4-USA-DOL

For Other Department of Labor Questions:

1-866-4-USA-DOL

TTY number for all Department of Labor Questions:

1-877-889-5627