Mandatory OT

mimib,rn · Sep 16, 2013

Mandatory overtime is when they have no other choice but to make you stay later than your assigned shift. You probably are signing a voluntary overtime slip that indicate both parties are in agreement to the OT. One day I was supposed to leave at 3pm and was asked to stay. I said I could not and they told me they had no coverage coming in and would have to stay. I asked if I was being mandated to stay and they quickly found someone to come in! Although mandatory overtime is not usually illegal (check your institution's policy on overtime), it doesn't reflect well on management when it is frequently used as a staffing tool.

jodyangel, RN · Sep 17, 2013

No . I have to sign up for 24hrs/6 week schedule. Over my full time hours.

FurBabyMom, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2013

No . I have to sign up for 24hrs/6 week schedule. Over my full time hours.

Is your facility/unit short staffed? Is it required of everyone on the unit in the same job class? What does facility policy say?

I've stayed voluntarily before (both as a step-down/med surg nurse and now as an OR nurse). I've agreed to come in on my day off. I was mandated twice in my med surg (with a stepdown acuity assignment) days...once it was my turn, and the other time, the nurse assigned to follow me and the days charge refused a patient I had "because I don't want to get report to give report". To be fair, we were urgently transferring to ICU (my most stable patient, with the least stable family I seriously had several others WAY less stable but c'est la vie)... It looked, at first like we would transfer from our unit to MICU, and there was a bed available before 0800...except, our ICU coverage got into a turf war about what ICU the patient was gonna go to...I ended up at work until 1035 trying to get this patient transferred. I wasn't super angry at the charge or my relief - I got paid overtime plus critical staffing to be 1:1'd...

I work at least 4 hours of overtime a week in my current job... Average lately. Usually in the 8-12 hour range... Anyhow.

Seriously, check your policy. Talk to your manager if you have questions.

mimib,rn · Sep 17, 2013

I think it depends on labor laws in your state. I practice in PA, so there are laws that help protect nurses from mandatory overtime.

PASNAP | Pennsylvania’s Law Against Mandatory Overtime

Crispy Critter · Sep 17, 2013

In Indiana, employers have all the power. They can require you to work however many hours they want you to, without any notice and require you to be in for your next shift, no matter how few the hours in-between. If you refuse, you can be fired. Indiana law also makes no provision for ANY type of break, no matter how many hours you work. I looked up the link above on PA overtime laws ...wish Indiana would address this. It's difficult to give safe patient care when you're exhausted.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2013

In Indiana employers have all the power. They can require you to work however many hours they want you to, without any notice and require you to be in for your next shift, no matter how few the hours in-between. If you refuse, you can be fired. Indiana law also makes no provision for ANY type of break, no matter how many hours you work. I looked up the link above on PA overtime laws ...wish Indiana would address this. It's difficult to give safe patient care when you're exhausted.[/quote']
Indiana only cares about the almighty business, never mind the needs of the employee.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 17, 2013

Are you a union faciity? If so, what does your contract say about mandatory overtime?

It always surprises me that facilities are willing to pay overtime pay for mandatory overtime hours when in fact they could hire more staff and not pay out as much...

RNperdiem, RN · Sep 17, 2013

Ask your coworkers who have worked longer than you if this mandatory overtime business is an exceptional situation or everyday life.

Long term mandatory OT is a sign of a poorly run place.

You could also ask your manager about this.

If I was in that situation, I would update my resume and start looking at other jobs if overwork was a long term situation. In the interview I would ask specifically about mandatory OT.

Howardhughes, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2013

At the VA our UNION CONTRACT stated no more then 16hrs with 8 hrs for sleep..and.. if the RN declared his/her self unfit for duty due to exhaustion they HAD to find a replacement (this was all void if a local/national emergency was declared..ie war/adverse weather ect). Your post points to a typical UN-caring hospital doing whats not right for its professionals in Nursing.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 17, 2013

Are you a union faciity? If so, what does your contract say about mandatory overtime?
It always surprises me that facilities are willing to pay overtime pay for mandatory overtime hours when in fact they could hire more staff and not pay out as much...

Dont bring reason into this discussion

jodyangel, RN · Sep 17, 2013

My job I left in PA in may had mandatory OT..