Low Census and on call

[ShayRN]

Our NM decided to post a new policy. If you get called off for low census you must be on call and be able to be at work within 45 minutes. Now, when I get called off, I don't want to use all my PTO. I go work another unit or my agency job. I tried explaining to him that this just isn't fair. But he said if I get called off for low census and then get called into work and am not available I will be written up. How do your units handle this?

[Southern Fried RN]

My hospital cancels people in 4hr increments, instead of labelling it "on-call." That way they don't have to pay the $2.25/hr that typical call departments pay (OR, PACU, Cath Lab).

They've done this to me in the past and it really wastes my time! I hate getting a call at 530am saying "you're cancelled till 11am" then I still have to wait around in case I might be needed later in the day. Complete BS. I still have to take my child to daycare ($$ going out), not complete any housework/errands that take too much time (loss of productivity) and meanwhile burn up my PTO or not get any income.

I feel like if a hospital is going to cancel you, then you should have the right to either work somewhere else or at least have a productive day off!

[merellis2009]

My hospital has the same stupid policy. I am in the process of trying to get added on for an extra day a week on another unit to make up for the "on call" time that I'm losing PTO days and money on....

[OC_An Khe]

I am writting this from memory but I believe it is against either the federal or state wage/hour laws to be placed on call by your employer and not be paid for it. I would definetly check it out.

Any employer that is so causal and uncaring re its employees id not one I would want to work for.