per diem job

[PAM 3845]

I am currently working per diem in a hospital. They do not have enough regular staff to cover there staffing needs. I give my availabilty for 4 weeks at a time and the nurse who does the scheduling schedules me 3 sometimes 4 shifts per week. I was recently told by the Hr director that "they" somone from either the state or something checked into the per diem staff and is saying if we are working that many hours we must be brought on full or part time because they have to offer us benefits. When I asked who they were he stated it was something to do with the fedral law. I have never heard this before and am wondering if anyone else has. I really like per diem and the flexablity i have i don't need the benefits so how can they make me take a regular postion? Please help

[bill4745, RN]

I can understand that they probably would have to pay you time and a half if you worked over forty hours, but I am not aware of any laws that require benefits to be paid. Is there a union there? The union may require benefits for anyone working forty hours.

[dreamingofbeing]

I don't think it's a federal law but I know some hospital systems are like that. I am per diem right now but I can work as many or as few hours I want and not worry. One place I worked for made you take a permanent position if you continually worked hours they considered part/full time.