Penalized for scheduling error?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Pediatric Mental Health.

Hi Everyone,

I have been working on an inpatient eating disorder unit since 8/1. I was hired for 32 hour eves but I have never worked that because they have always asked if I wanted an extra shift or to work a double here and there. Last week I worked over 48 hours. To my relief I was scheduled to have a day off tomorrow.

Anyways the scheduling coordinator called me today to see if I could work tomorrow night in addition to attending a speech by some speaker that I was already supposed to see.

This was the first I heard of me having to come in for a speaker (the speech would be shorter than my drive time there and back). My schedule was blank for tomorrow so I assumed it was my day off and made plans, the coordinator said that it was a scheduling error and I was supposed to be off so that I could go to the speech however this was never communicated to me. I told her that I had plans and could not come in could I be penalized for this?

I know I should've asked while I had her on the phone but I didn't think of it until after business hours of course.

Thank you!

Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Maybe, maybe not how are we to know?

Specializes in Critical Care.

Anything's possible but if something was said, I'd reiterate you were never informed of this obligation and already committed your time. Put the ball back in their court.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

None of us truly know the rules by which your facility and manager operate, so they would be the best ones to ask about this. However, I also would have stood my ground and would not have come in for something at the last minute.

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Does the scheduling coordinator have the ability to penalize you?

Specializes in Pediatric Mental Health.

The scheduling coordinator does not have any direct ability to penalize me, but I'm not sure if it is something that might be considered reportable to management. I'll probably give them a call tomorrow to ease my mind.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

If you have a union, there are rules about what they can and can't penalize you for. If you are not represented, they can pretty much do what they want.

I so doubt it, do you have any idea how rare you are? People who will work an eating disorder unit are hard to find, it's super, super stressful.

Hi Everyone,

I have been working on an inpatient eating disorder unit since 8/1. I was hired for 32 hour eves but I have never worked that because they have always asked if I wanted an extra shift or to work a double here and there. Last week I worked over 48 hours. To my relief I was scheduled to have a day off tomorrow.

Anyways the scheduling coordinator called me today to see if I could work tomorrow night in addition to attending a speech by some speaker that I was already supposed to see.

This was the first I heard of me having to come in for a speaker (the speech would be shorter than my drive time there and back). My schedule was blank for tomorrow so I assumed it was my day off and made plans, the coordinator said that it was a scheduling error and I was supposed to be off so that I could go to the speech however this was never communicated to me. I told her that I had plans and could not come in could I be penalized for this?

I know I should've asked while I had her on the phone but I didn't think of it until after business hours of course.

Thank you!

This is a HUGE reason to not say yes a lot when asked to work extra....The favor will not be returned to you.

Hopefully, this all turns out well- and I'd be ....THEY made the error in not informing you- if I'm reading this right. :confused:

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
If you have a union, there are rules about what they can and can't penalize you for. If you are not represented, they can pretty much do what they want.

Not true. I can't treat employees any way I want. We are not a union building. I still have to have just cause to fire someone. We give at least two weeks' notice before changing anyone's schedule.

Specializes in Pediatric Mental Health.

All is well they apologized for the error and will make sure that it is on the schedule for me to see a speaker next time.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Not true. I can't treat employees any way I want. We are not a union building. I still have to have just cause to fire someone. We give at least two weeks' notice before changing anyone's schedule.

Not every facility has employee-friendly rules they have to follow. I'm glad to hear there are work places that value labour relations, even without representation.

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