Hey all. I need some advise about a situation that continues to occur at work. I am a nurse in a physicians office (the only nurse by the way). I love my job, however, it seems that over the last several months, the front office keeps scheduling patients in a way that we don't finish seeing morning patients until the afternoon patients begin arriving. In other words we never get to take a break to eat lunch. Don't get me wrong, I know things happen sometimes where you just can't get away, but I don't think this should happen every day. Even the doctor ends up working through lunch just so we can see all the patients scheduled. I have brought this up to the office manager several times (she does most of the scheduling) with some tips for the types of patients to schedule and not to schedule close to lunch time. Her response is always, "Oh well, you knew when you went into healthcare that this is the way it is." No, I didn't know that, even when I worked Med/ Surg I didn't miss meal time every shift. I automatically have one hour deducted for lunch daily ( I am salaried) yet I am lucky to get 5 minutes between patients to choke something down. The office manager is very passive/aggressive and acts as though she can't understand the problem. I have no other nurse to rotate with, if there are patients then I have to be there to assist the doctor. By the way, the office manger goes to lunch at noon every day no matter what and stays out for 1-2 hours for lunch :angryfire . The doctor is frustrated as well, however, he doesn't say anything to her, just complains to me in hopes that I will take care of it. I don't think the office manger is doingthis out of spite, I really think she is totally clueless about how to schedule patients effectively. What should I do? I have tried to talk to her already, she acts as if she understands then she continues to do the same thing. The doc is no help, he doesn't like confrontation at all and would rather I fix the situation. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks
This is what I was going to say.......I think it is against the law. Check the laws in your state on breaks, educate yourself. Maybe a threat of a labor suit would open her or docs eyes. You may even be able to get assistance from the Equal Employment Commission.
Actually, it is not. Federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act) does NOT require that employers provide break periods for employees. It only specifies that if short (5-20 minute) breaks ARE provided, that they are counted as worked time and must be paid. Salaried employees, however are not paid by the hour, so that point becomes moot in this situation (the OP stated she was salaried).
Individual states set their own laws regarding break and meal periods. Only 7 states have laws pertaining to rest breaks. Only 23 states have laws regarding meal periods. In the others, you are on your own.
For what it's worth.....There's a thread in the Nursing Activisim section of this site about nurses who don't get a lunch break. A formal study concluded that nurses who miss lunch breaks make more errors. I'm sure the same can be said for Doc's who miss lunch.
Hello,
Aside from nursing.......I believe that with ANY job it is unjust and wrong for you not to be given a lunch. You did the right thing by taking the first step and speak out your concern. However, it seems that it did not go as you wish it had, and the lack of respect towards you is still there :stone
It is NOT righ, and like a previous poster said "stop being a doormat". You need to draw that line and take the bull by the horns.....unless you are willing to keep the mistreat continuing . Make an appointment and sit down and put it out there. You need your lunch like every other human being regardless of the profession you chose. An NO....it does not matter whether you knew/assumed it that was what you were getting into when you chose your career in healthcare.. That is a poor and lame answer. All the advice given points you to standing up for yourself, do not allow it to continue, and if you need to look for a job elsewhere or make it CLEAR that you are not going to tolerate that behaviour......then so be it. Otherwise, it is your call and choice as to what you need to do. I know it is easier said than done, but I think it is safe to agree that you should not have to go without your lunches and getting deducted from your pay.
Also, think of this as the beginning. If they see they can get away with it.....this may be nothing. Sooner or later the abuse may escalate :uhoh21:
I wish you the best of luck, and hope the abuse stops soon :)
I'm presently leaving a job having had similar problems. I work 12 hour shifts and feel lucky to get a 20 minute lunch break in that 12 hour period. I managed to put up with it for awhile, and I put up with it because like you, I loved my job and assumed that it was like that everywhere. Well I was wrong. I have found a new place that is adequately staffed and we get to take our breaks, including 30 mintues for lunch. Amazing isn't it?
Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.
I have worked in several offices, and this is a common complaint. I agree with the poster whos suggested you tell the doc you are taking a lunch, and then go...give him a report on what is going on,so no patient is stuck waiting. Even if you sit in your car for 10 minutes, you need that "down time"! if he doesnt like it then you can do the blocking out the schedule as previously suggested. If he does not support either, then there are plenty of offices needing nurses!
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I have experienced this many times. While i would never leave the doctor I was working with, you can bet they paid me for each and every second I worked and if that meant overtime that was their problem. When on salary I gave them a choice - I would document it and they could give me paid time off. Don't ever give it to them for free. They will alsways take advantage of that as long as you will let them. If you have a good relationship with the MD you work with sit down behind closed doors and explain. Ask for what you want - coverage or pay. Let the MD deal with the office manager. Good luck!
You need to tell them that certain staff may have health problems where they HAVE to eat a lunch. I have hypoglycemia and if I don't eat, my blood sugar drops quickly and I pass out. Thankfully I can usually feel it coming on before it gets too low.
. Make an appointment and sit down and put it out there. You need your lunch like every other human being regardless of the profession you chose. An NO....it does not matter whether you knew/assumed it that was what you were getting into when you chose your career in healthcare.. That is a poor and lame answer. All the advice given points you to standing up for yourself, do not allow it to continue, and if you need to look for a job elsewhere or make it CLEAR that you are not going to tolerate that behaviour......then so be it. Otherwise, it is your call and choice as to what you need to do. I know it is easier said than done, but I think it is safe to agree that you should not have to go without your lunches and getting deducted from your pay.
canoehead, BSN, RN
6,909 Posts
Tell the doc that you will be going for lunch unless you receive back compensation- then GO and he can do his own vital signs while you are gone.