Not getting paid

[Greys_l]

Hi, I started working for a hospital 6 months ago. Last month they asked for volunteer nurses to work a children's camp that you would be paid for. I was told I didn't need to fill out the usual forms and that I was approved. I did not get paid for it and now my manager is acting like she doesn't know what I'm talking about. I am PRN so I've applied at a temp agency because I'm thinking of leaving there or at least not working in her department ever again. My first reaction was to quit. Any advice?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Volunteers don't get paid. Do you have an email or anything in writing that you were to get paid? How did you apply? If you have proof ten file a complaint with the department of labor

[Greys_l]

It was to volunteer to go it was not mandatory. It was to be paid that part was not volunteer. The only thing I had in writing was the paperwork that they told me not to turn in. So I guess that means I got scammed, and it's to late to do anything about it now.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your biggest clue came when your manager asked for volunteer nurses. Volunteer nurses never get paid because they are volunteering their time for free.

Any time you hear the words 'volunteer' and 'pay' in the same proposal, be skeptical about receiving pay for the volunteer services you render. It won't happen.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

You keep saying volunteer, that means you DONATE your time, skills, etc. if you have something in writing that says otherwise, go ahead and pursue it.

It was to volunteer to go it was not mandatory. It was to be paid that part was not volunteer. The only thing I had in writing was the paperwork that they told me not to turn in. So I guess that means I got scammed, and it's to late to do anything about it now.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Volunteer means of own free will without financial remuneration. If you have nothing in writing that you were to receive financial compensation for working in the camp you donated your time & expertise. Your clue was not having to turn in any forms and likely no salary/pay rate discussed.

I think your reaction to quit is rash and you need to think more before you burn this employment bridge.

Did the forms state rate of pay and how/when you would get paid as well as hours to work? If so find with the state labor dept. if not you're out of luck

[Greys_l]

Yes they did. I get the message from everyone's tone. I'm an idiot for trusting management it will not happen again.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Yes they did. I get the message from everyone's tone. I'm an idiot for trusting management it will not happen again.

If you have the offer in writing then you have the necessary information/evidence to file a complaint with the state dept of labor.

If not, then there's not much you can do.

Only you can decide whether this is worth quitting over.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

email your human resources manager and ask what the policy is for the camp nurse position, it's possible that you volunteer because they cannot mandate nurses to work at the camp, but nurses are paid because it is work related. They cannot offer the camp to patients if they do not have nurses and if under labour laws it's considered work, the nurse should be paid. Were there other hospital staff such as recreation therapists working at the camp? If so, you can bet they were paid, the nurses should be as well.

[NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN]

Your biggest clue came when your manager asked for volunteer nurses. Volunteer nurses never get paid because they are volunteering their time for free.

Any time you hear the words 'volunteer' and 'pay' in the same proposal, be skeptical about receiving pay for the volunteer services you render. It won't happen.

A former employer often had booths at local fairs, and paid staff to man the booths. People "volunteered" to work shifts because it wasn't mandatory work. Today I was shocked to learn that when my current employer asks for volunteers for such booths, it is unpaid work. I'm all about altruism, but I'm not about to serve my employer's needs (public image, recruiting patients essentially) without getting reimbursed for it.

This situation definitely sound shady if there was paperwork that would have verified that this was approved work, that the employee was told not to file. I would not want to continue work with such a company.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

This situation definitely sound shady if there was paperwork that would have verified that this was approved work, that the employee was told not to file.

Maybe the camp staff positions are funded under a budget separate from the inpatient staff budget? HR and the camp organizer should be able to clarfiy how the positions are paid.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Yes they did. I get the message from everyone's tone. I'm an idiot for trusting management it will not happen again.

It sounds like management used your naivete to take advantage of you and get your work for free. Sounds like there was dishonesty on their part. I don't blame you for not wanting to stay. Sadly you aren't the first person this has happened to and probably won't be the last.

A fellow coworker was promised bonus pay for working extra, but then the manager reneged when the paycheck came. Said coworker never worked extra again and instead switched to part time for the insurance benefits and worked agency for the rest of the time and got paid much more.

If you have paperwork to prove you should be paid I would bring it up to your manager and HR and like the others suggested file a complaint with the Dept of Labor. Such complaints and lawsuits have resulted in hospitals paying millions in back pay for all the nurses who were expected to work thru their lunch hours without a break or pay! Don't blame yourself! You have done nothing wrong!