I have worked at the same hospital (excuse me, Medical Center) for nearly 15 years. I have been an RN for nearly 26 years. The Medical Center where I am employed charges us to park. As much as 500 dollars per year, depending on the area you are assigned/request to park in.
Does anyone else out there have to pay to park to go to work?
I mean the hospital built the parking deck(s) due to a lack of space in the area and they do provide a "free" parking area, but it requires a 5 min. walk to get from the free area to the hospital or a ride on a provided shuttle bus, if you work the "right" hours.
But really, do you think you should have to pay to park where you work?
I don't agree with it, but then, I'm not about to walk a half mile to the "free" lot when I get off work at 11pm.
I'm telling you guys it's not about employees and their safety etc., etc., it is all about the money. Do the math.
$5 per day in a 400 car parking structure that runs, say 80% capacity 365 days per year. That is $584,000 year of income to the hospital. How quick do you think administration will be to give up $584,000 income with virtually no expense tied to operating it other than the electric bill to keep it dimly lit and operate the gates and perhaps a minimum wage (or close to it) attendent.
Oh yeah, and the doctors usually park for free right next to the entrance, most of the time in a covered parking garage. Why you ask? Because administration views the doctor as a money-maker and the nurse as an expense. Until this changes little else will.
I'm telling you guys it's not about employees and their safety etc., etc., it is all about the money. Do the math.
$5 per day in a 400 car parking structure that runs, say 80% capacity
It's ALWAYS full. In fact, when evening shift shows up, there's no spaces so cars are "stacked" parked. A real pain, day shift people can't leave until cars are moved out of the way, and evening shift people get to retrieve their keys from the parking attendent when they leave. If they leave before the end of shift, sometimes they have to wait 30 minutes before the parking attendent returns from break to get their keys! Oh, and we are a union hospital. Yeah, $5 a day is a real bargain for us!
I swear it was almost a deal breaker for me, I was astounded that they want me to work there and pay them to park.
They made the top level of the garage (uncovered) free, but otherwise if you park inside on a covered level it is about $9 q 2 weeks or $234.00 a year x 1000 employees= 234,000.00 profit for the facility. Doctors and visitors park free.
I agreed to park on top but would really like to stir the pot about this fee!!!!
I swear it was almost a deal breaker for me, I was astounded that they want me to work there and pay them to park.
They made the top level of the garage (uncovered) free, but otherwise if you park inside on a covered level it is about $9 q 2 weeks or $234.00 a year x 1000 employees= 234,000.00 profit for the facility. Doctors and visitors park free.
I agreed to park on top but would really like to stir the pot about this fee!!!!
I know this is old, but WTH? Doctors and vistors park free!!!:angryfire:angryfire
Most hospitals in the UK charge for parking and have done for many years, it is a huge source of income. Where I work we pay £1.10 ($2.20)every day as staff - regardless of your job title and visitors pay £4.50 each day ($9.18) I think my conversions are about right.
we pay $12.50 a shift to park, which quickly adds up. Slightly less for nightshift ($6) which used to be free, until they realized they could get us yet again. Even meters in front of hospital are now not free until after 10pm, like you have time to run out and move your car. They are looking for strategies for retention here, so obvious but they just don't get it.:trout:
This is common, and not at all limited to hospitals.
In my former pre-RN life, I (and everyone I knew) paid upwards of $100/month to park in various garages downtown, and this was more than 10 years ago, in the early-mid 90s.
So I don't bat an eye over my current cost of approx. $50.00 to park off-site, though I hate the shuttle with a passion.
ainz
378 Posts
I'm telling you guys it's not about employees and their safety etc., etc., it is all about the money. Do the math.
$5 per day in a 400 car parking structure that runs, say 80% capacity 365 days per year. That is $584,000 year of income to the hospital. How quick do you think administration will be to give up $584,000 income with virtually no expense tied to operating it other than the electric bill to keep it dimly lit and operate the gates and perhaps a minimum wage (or close to it) attendent.