Our new boss writing everyone up!

[SoundofMusic]

Our new PCD, who is only temporary, seems to have taken to writing up half the staff for clocking in like 1-2 minutes past 7 a.m. She's following and tracking those who do it and writing them up for it. I mean -- if you are chronically late, like 15 minutes or so -- whatever. But clocking in one minute past??? Who cares!!

What is up with this? We are chronically short staffed - these are experienced long time nurses -- all very good. There is a hiring freeze -- I mean -- what the HELL are these manager types thinking when they do this stuff? Do they want to run off ALL the nurses? What will they do then when there is no one to take care of patients anymore???

It's as if the world of nursing has just turned upside down lately.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I agree that punctuality is very important. I was taught that it was disrespectful to keep others waiting by being late.

That being said, at my facility, we are not allowed to clock in until 5 minutes before the shift starts. I even got written up for clocking in and going to work early at the request of the charge nurse due to high workload on the unit! If my employer thinks I am going to hang around (or work!) for 10 minutes off the clock every day, well, it ain't happening. At one time, we did not get in trouble for coming in early. I put my stuff up, *then* clocked in, usually about 20 minutes early, and got to work reading my strips, looking up labs, etc. Now that we are being written up for clocking in early, well, I arrive no earlier than 0639. I do leave extra time if the weather's bad so I don't show up late, but I refuse to arrive 15 minutes early every day and not be paid for it (Note: I never clocked in early without going straight to work. If I am being paid, I am expected to be working, not lounging around.)

Also, I think that the new boss in the OP's situation would have accomplished a lot more without dragging down staff morale by announcing that the attendance policy would be strictly adhered to in the future *before* starting to issue write-ups. If the corporate culture there was to tolerate lapses in the attendance policy, they created that expectation among the staff. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change that, but give people a chance to change their behavior *before* getting punitive. JMHO.

:paw:

this is the rational,mature way to handle this.....yup, i am one of those chronically late sorts....when you know that the off going shift isnt going to be ready, and you know you are going to be at least 15-30 minutes late leaving......oy. Also, we dont know where the time clock in the OP is....i have worked in places where the unit has a time clock and you dont punch in till you are on the floor. And yes, there are those who are technically on time per the time punch but are not ready for work for another 10-15 minutes, which would you prefer, the one who walks in ready to take report with their coat still on, or the one who is breakfasting in the break room on YOUR dime?

[SoundofMusic]

Ok, :tucks tail between legs: I STAND CORRECTED!

Y'all are right. I personally don't have the problem that my co-workers do. I am always 15 minutes early and I swipe in on time. It's just a few of my co-workers who are having the problem. But you all are right and everyone should be prepared to clock in and hit the ground running.

But, we ARE also expected to not clock in until 3 minutes til. So, if you do get there early, your'e sitting around. If you're there super early, they'll put you to work somehow, and I'm not going to get roped into that every day.

So, it's a timing thing. But, it's true -- we should be there and ready to go. I'll have to subtly try to counsel some of my co-workers.

However, now that the PCD wants to "clean house" I'd expect HER to start working on some of our chronic problems on the unit -- disorganization, techs who disappear and don't answer their phones when needed, understaffing, you name it -- I'd sort of like to see some ACTION in that regard as well!!

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

If you are clocking in at 7:01--that's an issue because if you're "okay" with one minute, then what is two or three or ten?

Get there on time.

[Zookeeper3]

SRY guide but I'm biting the bait, one... I'm bored, two, this is just crazy..

So, OP, your sole purpose here is not to incite but look for opinions... and none of this write up is about you... as you are never late.

Well my previous boss was like yours, we may work in the same facility:D You've gotta start somewhere, and this managers beef may simply be with tardy's. You listed a good source of issues that need to be addressed. I'm currently with a new manager now and I set up an appointment to "air my grievances". giving her the opportunity to enact needed change. Please don't assume that this new manager is aware of all the issues and consider meeting with them to rectify it. Then if nothing gets done you know where you stand.. or you just may be pleased with the result.

[abbaking]

I am sorry but after reading the first few posts, I have a big mouth and I have my idea's about professionalism.

one or two minutes late is ****-in-a bucket.

30 minutes late is a REAL DEFINITION OF LATE!

Say your shift starts at 0700 - there should be a "grace" window of 5 minutes (my facility has it because they realize that people can still be hard-working professionals even if GOD FORBID they clock in at 0701).

Managers making mountains out of molehills

Nit picking

[caliotter3]

I once worked around a nurse who was not one or two minutes late, she was 30 or 35 minutes late, for each and every shift. She made me miss an appointment one morning because, as usual, I had to wait for her to show up. At another place of employment in the same town, I was told by the hiring manager that this person (who had worked there in the past) had applied again for a job and was told "No, we don't need you", precisely because of her habit of coming to work late and expecting the entire staff to accommodate her. I did not feel sorry for the individual at all.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

1-2 mins late? Yeah that is not a big deal...but I get to work at least 10 mins early...hello the next shift is tired and wants to go home!

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

I'm reminded of a saying "how long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are on"

To those who are arriving late, a few minutes isn't a big deal. To those waiting to go home, it is. We should all try and be considerate of each other and arrive on time.

[RN1982]

My friend's sister works at another area hospital and her boss is writing everyone up because it affects their raise. Nice cost-saving...idiots.

[bunsterj]

When I had a job, I arrived late twice...once when I was in a wreck--I had the police call the hospital for me (pre-cell phone days), and once when there was an ice storm---I got the 1/2 inch layer of ice chiseled off of my car in time to get there, only to find that every door on the car was frozen shut. I stood outside with my blow drier for about a half hour and got one door to open. That was in nine years. My job references will testify to that fact.

Right now, I so want/need a job and there are many others like me. I would be very cautious about being casual about "just one minute late", because we are all expendable and replaceable.

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

Perhaps its the way the work shift is set up is what causes problems? I'm just beginning to realize that it must be different at different places.

Our shift begins at 7am and ends at 7:30pm. Night shift begins at 7pm. Report is given during those 30 overlapping minutes. If someone is late its no big deal because you are usually giving/getting report from someone else those first minutes.

If someone is going to be more than a few minutes late they call. You write your report on a paper. They can read it when they come in. You don't clock in before 6:55 am and don't clock out late. No OT.

Works out well I think. You get your 12 hrs in unless you decide to clock out early which is okay.

[belgarion]

In my previous life hourly employees were required to be in their work area at 0600 or 1800. Any one who hit the clock exactly on time was counted as late - no excuses, no exceptions. The thinking was that if you were at the clock at start time then you weren't working. Also, anyone who clocked out exactly on time was charged with a leave early since the only way to do that was to leave your work area early.

Draconian? Yep. But when I am still stuck at work 30 minutes after I should have been on my way home because the day shift can't get to work, put their stuff away, and get report and do the narc count without piddling around and wasting time I get to thinking that a little draconianism might not be a bad thing.