Managers asking me to forgo sleep for meetings!

allnurses Guide · Feb 4, 2009

Yes managers expect this.

Yes, it is unreasonable.

Yes, it is excessive.

Complain first to the manager, in writing, suggest meetings be held just before or after your shift so both shifts can meet, or consider having two meetings; one after the night shift, the other just after the day shift.

If no luck with that, and it starts being mandatory, go up the line of command. Polite, respectful, justthefactsmaam attitude.

Have a union? our contract specifies the number of hours we have off between shifts (7.5 or 11.5), get paid time and a half until we are actually off that many hours.

Managers tend to hold meetings at times convenient for them, not the staff. My NM has mandated meetings in the hospital at frequent times during the day, and has to work in staff meeting times around those. Staff meetings are at 0730 and 1430. Committees and charge nurse meetings are always at 0730.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

The only way that is reasonable is if she also expects day shift to attend meeting at midnight after working their shift. This was a huge pet peeve of mine when I was working nights, and one of the reasons I left! We were also "strongly encouraged" to attend. If it was held right after my shift, that is one thing, but not 5 hours after I am supposed to be gone!!! I hope it works out for you.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 4, 2009

When I was a manager, I used to hold staff meetings at 1430. This way, both day and evening shifts were already on board, and night shift staff could, at least in theory, get a solid six hours of sleep (their shift ran from 2200-0600) before coming to the meeting. It wasn't perfect, but it was the only workable solution, as there were not enough staff to hold two meetings at different times (and those who really needed the inservices were invariably the ones who never showed up no matter WHAT time I scheduled them).

I worked nights for years, and thought it was completely unreasonable for management to expect us to attend meetings at 10 or 11 AM---would they have wanted to come in at 10 or 11 PM?

The place where I work now holds staff meetings/inservices at 1430, which tends to put us evening-shift staff behind since we start our shift an hour late, but it's better for the majority of the staff.

winterallsummer · Feb 4, 2009

If I were you I'd talk to the manager face to face. If she is still unreasonable then you can always go to HR.

SandBetweenMyToes, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

I used to work 12 hour midnight shifts on a unit that was predominantly 12 hour day and night shifts. Our manager used to hold "mandatory" meetings at 7:30 am (which normally did not get started until after 8am). Nurses who stayed from midnights frequently fell asleep in their chairs. After some serious complaining and non-compliance, the manager took the night shift's suggestion to hold the meetings at alternating 7am, 7pm, thus making it fair that every other meeting the day shift had to stay late (GASP!!!!). This seemed much more fair, and a workable solution for all.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 4, 2009

Not all managers expect this. We offer staff meetings at various times and dates to accommodate as many as possible. Talk to HR. This could be a risk for you and your patient if you are tired. Also, recommend to the manager that the next meeting take place at midnight, when YOU are awake. If it does not matter that you miss sleep then it should not matter if she does.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

Both places that I worked did not expect night shifters to come in for meetings held during the day. They were only expected if it was something really really important. It happened maybe once a year? Both places were always accomodating. They would have the meeting held over two time frames, so both shifts could attend. Only once did I have to deal with finding childcare. It is nice to work for places that are respectful of your non work hours since many people have responsibilities other than work and sleep. If only everywhere could be like that...

caliotter3 · Feb 4, 2009

Whenever mgmt did this to us there were people who just didn't show up and I don't blame them. Not very many meetings contained anything that was useful or important. I got to the point where I told myself I was also going to stop coming to the meetings. I have had employers that have scheduled inservices and other mandatory meetings at three times during the day and on two different days during the week. They stopped doing it because, of course, no one would show up at the times that were 'inconvenient'. You can't blame the employer if they have made a good faith effort to accommodate everyone.

justjRN · Feb 5, 2009

wow I cant believe they expect that from you!!! Totally unreasonable!!!

Our hospital offers 3 days with 7a and 1500 times each day for a meeting each month. That usually accomodates most ppl.

badphish · Feb 5, 2009

If mgmt only hints they would like u there then I wouldn't go on days immediately after shift and suggest she email the minutes to everyone. If it becomes mandatory I would talk to her. If not satisfied go over her head.

I'm a paramedic and we work 24 he shifts for the most part with lil sleep. We have meetings once a month with no way to catch everyone we have to still man ambulances to cover the district. If something is truly mandatory they hold it on at least two day

Brett

tntrn, ASN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

Our manager has "mandatory" staff meetings at 0730 one time and at 1430 the next. We're supposed to attend at least 90% of them. I work 3-11 and even when I haven't worked the eve before, there's not way I'm going to get up at 0600 to go to an 0730 meeting. I can't remember the last staff meeting I attended, as most of the 1430 ones seem to be scheduled when I'm out of town. Not changing that either.