Mandatory Overtime?

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Hi everyone. I work nights on a busy ortho/neuro floor. My manager informed us recently that we would have to work mandatory overtime for the time being due to staffing issues. She claimed that this is hospital wide, but I haven't heard of any other floors having to do this. I also noticed that this is something she's only enforcing on night shift. We currently have 2 nurses on maternity leave on nights and 2 nurses have left on days. They're actually shorter on days than nights right now, so I don't understand why this is only a night thing. When I got my schedule today, I saw that I'm working 4 (12 hr shifts) a week for the next 3 out of 4 weeks. I also noticed that not everyone on nights is having to work this type of schedule, only a select few. My biggest concern with this is safety, especially considering I have a long commute to work. When I first started working here we were required to take call once a month, which was fine. Just a few months ago, the hospital took away call time and cut out a lot of overtime due to financial issues. Now it baffles me that they're enforcing mandatory overtime for staffing issues.

I'm curious to know how this works in other facilities or if they even have it. I can see mandatory overtime being used for natural disasters/emergency situations but is it common to use it for staffing issues?

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Specializes in ER.

I'd ask why the load isn't evenly distributed, and why she didn't ask for volunteers first. Or provide incentives like double time. Then I'd call in sick for at least half the extras. After all, if you're being worked that hard you are bound to get sick.

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Specializes in FNP.

I have never heard of such a thing as mandatory overtime. I'd just refuse.

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I've heard of it, and it got worse before it got better b/c people got mad and quit... dosen't take a Bachlors degree to see that coming... I agree w/ the above two posters, refuse, call in sick, etc... That is ALOT of hours...

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A hospital I worked in started squawking about mandatory overtime. All the nurses voiced their concerns over it , and the idea was dropped.

I would contact the state labor board, see if it is legal. Forcing you to work over your agreed hours, and over 40 hours a week sounds like slave labor! :twocents:

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

the thing about the mandatory OT, is a lot of places try it- because even with the time and a half they pay out for part of the extra shift, it is still cheaper than hiring enough staff and paying benifits for them. If they get away with it for a while and no one protests, they will do it more and more often.

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The nurses should ban together here. This can be an unsafe practive especially if on an ongoing basis. It's one thing to do this to help out here and there and quite another when it is mandatory and 3 out of 4 weeks. If all of you say you don't feel it is safe and can't work under these circumstances they will be forced to hire new help and/or get agency help in. In a case like this giving an inch often means they take a foot. I do think you will all end up sick co calling out won't even be to prove a point but a necessity.

Contact the Dept of Labor in your state as well as the BON. I believe certain criteria must be met in many states in order for this to even be legal.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

OT is a choice in my state and hospital. They can not make you work over your 3 shifts a week without your permission. I would call HR and ask about this, if you have corporate compliance I would call them too.. It really doesn't sound right. If OT was mandatory it would be from everyone not just a few..

I would not work it if I didn't want to.. Sounds like the select few that are working OT are the ones management thinks will not cause a problem.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

Hopefully if enough refuse they will be forced to hire more nurses.. This is simply as way to put more money in employers pockets. And if they must have some overtime ask for volunteers. Forcing some not others leads to angry nurses. and if you do not plan well it is a safety issue as well. Once years ago I got a letter from my physician stating it was not acceptable for health reasons I was not to do overtime. ( Kinda like getting a note from you Mommy but it worked!):)

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At my first job, we were required to do 4 12 shifts one week & 3 12 shifts the next.... Mainly due to staffing issues... & If you were a tech, you'd work 4 12's and occasionally 5 12's... The management just couldn't seem to keep people there. Eventually, I got overwhelmed & left.... It was like a revolving door. I agree with the above posts. The overtime should be spread equally or they need to hire more staff. Period.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

If you are union, I would be talking to them. This could be breech of contract. Otherwise, ditto to what the others have said. I'd ask why just a select few, etc..

I would also fill out any short staffing paperwork if your facility has such a form.

We only have to do mandatory if there is a crisis and nobody offers to work. In all my years, I have never been placed on manadatory, thank goodness!

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I appreciate the responses everyone. I definitely don't think this is right, but unfortunately I don't think there's much I can do. Talking to management is like talking to a brick wall. There have been many changes as far as nursing goes at this hospital in recent months. Many nurses have complained, only to get the "be happy you have a job and deal with it" speech. Some were even threatened to be fired and as a result many nurses have left.

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