Nurses, maybe you can help...

Published

While this doesn't relate to Nursing, this does relate to the field of Medicine.

The place I work for (which is a MAJOR consumer electronics store) is enforcing a new call-off policy, which states:

"THERE ARE TO BE NO CALL-OFFS. YOU CANNOT CALL-OFF SICK. IF YOU ARE SICK, YOU ARE TO COME IN, AND THEN IF YOU ARE TOO SICK, A MANAGER CAN DECIDE TO SEND YOU HOME".

There is nothing stating one must have a Dr's note in order to be excused.

I'm in school to be an MA, and we covered medical law and ethics last semester.

By forcing us to come into work sick (if we don't want to get terminated, that is), and then having a MANAGER (who is NOT a medical doctor) determine whether or not we are too sick to work--Wouldn't that technically be practicing medicine without a liscence?

If not, then let me know...Perhaps I am wrong, but I've always thought that the only person who can make a diagnosis of health status would be a liscensed MD.

This new policy just doesn't seem "right" to me...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg.

This is hocus-pocus. I would recommend locating another job. If it is the retailer that I am thinking of, then yet another Class A lawsuit is in the works. You do not have to work under those conditions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

They are going to be creating a major problem when they notice that all of their staff are getting ill. Guess what? Most illnesses are contagious!! This is one of the reasons that employers ask employees to STAY HOME if they are sick. I hate working with sick coworkers because it always spreads to somebody.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My point exactly--What are they going to go if an employee comes in with N/V or diarrhea! Let them get it all over the store and disgust the customers/employees?!

I forgot to add, I volunteer at a hopsital, in the infection control unit. What happens if I come in contact with a patient who has undiagnosed TB or something, then I have to go to work? I know it's a really far-out scenario, but still...it could happen.

This is also the same place that fired over 3,000 employees last year because they "made too much".

I need to find a new job...and finish school ASAP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The next time you have the N/V and the trots... go in and aim at the general manager.

A few episodes of that and the policy will change.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I work in a hospital and the "call off" policy isn't that different. We are allowed to call off 3% of out scheduled time without discipline. Since we work 12 hr shifts anything over 4 days a year is excessive. It dosn't matter that you are sick- the only exception is FMLA covered episodes. How long does it take you to get over a respiratory infection?-7-10 days? Heaven help you if your child gets sick and requires you to take another day or two off!

It's not like we work around sick, germ infested people constantly, or put in long shifts with little break time and less oppertunity for food. Even if we do come in while ill- it's not like any of our patients are susceptible to our germs are they? Heck, they ought to be thankful for the innoculation that our germs provide. At home most family members wouldn't come around grandma with a cold since she is prone to pneumonia. We are providing a valuable service in helping them develop new immunities- at least if it doesn't kill them first.

I'm ranting again. My point is any employer is going to try to force you to come in, sick or not. Retail stores or hospitals- sick time costs money and if they can bully you into comming in sick they will. If anyone has found something different, let us know!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My point exactly--What are they going to go if an employee comes in with N/V or diarrhea! Let them get it all over the store and disgust the customers/employees?!

I forgot to add, I volunteer at a hopsital, in the infection control unit. What happens if I come in contact with a patient who has undiagnosed TB or something, then I have to go to work? I know it's a really far-out scenario, but still...it could happen.

This is also the same place that fired over 3,000 employees last year because they "made too much".

I need to find a new job...and finish school ASAP.

Just to add this in for you: the chances of you contracting TB from someone that you saw in a clinic setting is quite slim at best. I would not focus in that at all. And anyone that is sick enough would not be seen in the clinic but directly in the ER before they even made it to your dept.

Best of luck with your schooling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just to add this in for you: the chances of you contracting TB from someone that you saw in a clinic setting is quite slim at best. I would not focus in that at all. And anyone that is sick enough would not be seen in the clinic but directly in the ER before they even made it to your dept.

Best of luck with your schooling.

Oh yeah, I know =) I meant my volunteering gig at the hopsital. I am frequently in the ER and ICU monitoring hand washing and that sort of thing. It's nothing I'm worried over...lol.

And thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
The next time you have the N/V and the trots... go in and aim at the general manager.

A few episodes of that and the policy will change.

Seriously. I'd be sneezing on EVERYONE.

Kidding! Kidding!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

My facility requires the flu shot of all employees, and has a point system for absences of any kind, accumulate too many and you're done. They really think that requiring the dang flu shot is gonna keep everyone from getting sick? Never works! I've missed work for things ranging from an unresponsive daughter to a son in ARF to migraine-like headaches that make it hard to work to feeling so depressed I couldn't think straight. If my kid is acutely ill, I WILL not come to work come heck or high water I will be at their side even if it means losing a job or being on probation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would take the time to do target practice by aiming projectile vomiting in the manager's face and his lunch. That will teach 'em...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.
Seriously. I'd be sneezing on EVERYONE.

Kidding! Kidding!

Sneeze all over the manager's phones. ;) Blow your nose constantly in front of customers, then open the kleenex and say "Wow, is that green!". :uhoh21: Have coughing fits while ringing up the register. :D Tell your coworkers loudly about your current diarrhea situation, in detail, including color, size, consistency and odor. :bugeyes:

I'm not totally kidding, either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion