overtime

It goes back to a federal law/rule change this past fall. DO a search for specifics as it was discussed heavily at the time. The basic gyst of the rule is that since we are "professionals", and typically make over X dollars a year we are not REQUIRED to be paid overtime. Im not in CA and have never been there but generally federal wage laws trump state laws unless the state law is more stringent. Also since you are a contact nurse one could argue that you are salaried even though you get paid at an hourly rate.

Rj

Someone please answer this question when talking to recuriters they quote me a per hour rate and then time and a half after 8 hrs for ca. but some recuriters don't pay that. I thought it was a law that they had to pay time and a half after 8 hrs. what's up with that? I've just been quoted a straight hourly wage for night shift no diff. no ot. other benefits good though am I being screwed?

thanks for any insight into this since I'm new to travel

Margeux

Also depends on the agency that you are with, where they are located, as well as the contract that they have with the facility. My contract in CA does not pay overtime for the last 4 hours in a 12 hour shift, but I dget double time for anything over 12, plus 1 1/2 for over 40 per week.

Which agency are you going with?

Hi Suzanne I'm with Medical Express hope that is going to be okay. we're due to leave this sat. for ca. to start a job in Palo Alto on the 12th. still don't have my contract signed yet as there are several issues I want to get straigtened out. don't like the .2o cent per mile for travel and still trying to neg. that. they kind of have me over a barrel since I"m dieing to work at that hosp. do you know of any other travel co. that staff lucille packard's? I want to work there in the worst way. sounds like you've been around alot maybe you know of another co. that would get on there in case this falls through. I know two units want me bad. so no problem with that.

thanks for any help margeux

It goes back to a federal law/rule change this past fall. DO a search for specifics as it was discussed heavily at the time. The basic gyst of the rule is that since we are "professionals", and typically make over X dollars a year we are not REQUIRED to be paid overtime. Im not in CA and have never been there but generally federal wage laws trump state laws unless the state law is more stringent. Also since you are a contact nurse one could argue that you are salaried even though you get paid at an hourly rate.

Rj

The no-time-and-a-half issue was alive & well prior to last year's legislation. I worked for a large/Level I/teaching facility that didn't pay OT. We were somehow categorized as exempt, yet still punched in & out. Our regular pay periods were 84 hours and we got paid for a straight 84 before applying shift/weekend diffs.

Disclaimer: I left there in 2001 & don't know if things are different now!

Hi Suzanne I'm with Medical Express hope that is going to be okay. we're due to leave this sat. for ca. to start a job in Palo Alto on the 12th. still don't have my contract signed yet as there are several issues I want to get straigtened out. don't like the .2o cent per mile for travel and still trying to neg. that. they kind of have me over a barrel since I"m dieing to work at that hosp. do you know of any other travel co. that staff lucille packard's? I want to work there in the worst way. sounds like you've been around alot maybe you know of another co. that would get on there in case this falls through. I know two units want me bad. so no problem with that.

thanks for any help margeux

I have not worked at Lucille Packard, but I have a friend that brought me back one of their t-shirts. BUT I can't believe you are planning to head out there without a signed contract! Also with the travel pay you are getting! I get twice that per mile up to $1000 cap!

Can you pm me the names of those good companies. I will be a new traveler an d I am just trying to do my research.

Laura

The ruling for overtime in California is based on where your employer is located. If you are a traveller, most agencies do not have their home offices in Ca and can get around it. Some hospitals will choose to pay it and others don't.

I actually do not get it with my contract that I am currently on, but get 1 1/2 for over 40 in a week, and double for anything over 12 per day, and I actually come out ahead from some of the other nurses that travel here.

As far as Medical Express, not sure what they are offering anymore. They never were one of the higher payors to begin with. I gave you the names of a couple of agencies that I considered the best...............