So I get a call from one of my co-workers because I had not showed up for work. I had just looked at my schedule and it says that I was off tonight. According to the schedule at work, I was on. Ok, if you are gonna make changes tell me that way situations like this don't occur. I didn't switch with someone and I didn't pick up overtime. Just makes me crazy. Talked with a co-worker who said the manager printed out a new schedule friday. So I'm gonna email my manager tell me how this sounds..
Hi ANAM
]I am emailing you because I have concerns regarding my schedule. Nurse N called me Sunday night and asked if I was coming into to work. I had just looked at my schedule and it had an x under Sunday. I work monday night, then Friday and Saturday. I did not fill in the overtime board for Sunday nor did I make any switches that I am aware of (I don't have any yellow slips from the switch form). I wasn't aware that there were any changes to my schedule otherwise. I'm sorry to have inconvienced my co-workers if I was in the wrong. I will gladly make up the shift if need be.
Ugh it's too late. I sent the email. I sent another saying that in regards to my previous email, I made no changes to my schedule nor did I switch with another co-worker and that I have two copies of the schedule. One is the master copy and the other is an updated copy with changes made to other co-workers's schedule but not mine and on that schedule I'm off Sunday. I'm not worried about it. I will stand my ground.
What's the point of having a schedule if it can be changed without your CONSENT. Not just your awareness--"Oh, by the way, we changed your days next week"--your CONSENT!
Once our schedule comes out, it is carved in stone unless WRITTEN agreement is made between people switching shifts or a nurse puts herself on an "available" list or some other serious arrangement is made that respects the employee's choice.
How do you think management would respond if you skipped a shift, and when they complained, you just showed them a schedule that you had arbitrarily changed because you felt like it. If that wouldn't fly, then it shouldn't work in the reverse.
Please, do not continue to ask them to make you aware of schedule changes. Ask them to STOP making schedule changes without your agreement. Anything less than that renders the schedule meaningless. How are you supposed to make plans if you can be switched around at any time for any reason without okaying the changes?
If I seem intense, it's because I see too many nurses put on the defensive when it comes to things like arbitrary schedule changes. And they don't fight back because, like you, they are made to feel like maybe they did something wrong or that it's rude to complain. Changing someone's schedule after it's out is just wrong and shouldn't be tolerated. If your employer expects you to honor what's on the schedule, they should do the same.
I'm sure they will have an extra shift they want you to work now that you said you would. Don't feel obligated to work a shift that leaves you tired or having to cancel ready made plans. This is their error and I would be really clear about that. Changing a schedule on Friday and not only expecting you to know it but be perfectly okay with dropping anything you have planned is absurd. If you give in to it expect to be walked on again because that's exactly what they'll do...play on this guilt you have when you did nothing wrong. Learn from it for next time.
I didn't volunteer to. I said, if I was wrong and I was suppose to work then I would make up the shift. If I was not wrong, I am no way in hell working an extra shift and I know I'm not wrong so I ain't workin' an extra shift.
I didn't volunteer to. I said, if I was wrong and I was suppose to work then I would make up the shift. If I was not wrong, I am no way in hell working an extra shift and I know I'm not wrong so I ain't workin' an extra shift.
You go girl!! :yeah::yeah:
Totally off topic but I just noticed this :paw: and I freakin' love it. lol
Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
Relax...get over it...pour yourself a glass of wine...chill out. You did nothing wrong so why stress over managements mistakes...just make sure they don't charge you with a no call, no show...
I'd probably email her a copy of the original schedule along with that note and make sure that they know you are not working anything that has not been consented to in writing. Oh wait, I HAVE done that before. My bad.
Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.
Your letter is well written, Trauma. You might want to put in there, though, that management has a responsibility to notify you of changes to your schedule, and it should be done in a timely manner. That is a courtesy that should always be extended but often is not. And they wonder why schedules make everyone crazy. It was nice that you apologized to them for the inconvenience, but if it wasn't your fault then they are the ones who should be apologizing to you. There are many ways that managers/staffers/charge nurses can get in touch with everyone (email/cell phones/voice mail/text/home phone). There's really no excuse for that kind of stuff to happen to you.
Your letter is well written, Trauma. You might want to put in there, though, that management has a responsibility to notify you of changes to your schedule, and it should be done in a timely manner. That is a courtesy that should always be extended but often is not. And they wonder why schedules make everyone crazy. It was nice that you apologized to them for the inconvenience, but if it wasn't your fault then they are the ones who should be apologizing to you. There are many ways that managers/staffers/charge nurses can get in touch with everyone (email/cell phones/voice mail/text/home phone). There's really no excuse for that kind of stuff to happen to you.
Hope it works out.
The problem isn't sloppiness in notification; it's making the durn changes to begin with. If the OP was not consulted and did not give her approval of the changes, it doesn't matter how timely or courteous they are about notifying her. Management has still mistreated her by scrapping the schedule at their convenience. Why should employees be bound by a schedule while the employer can make changes at will? It's one thing to call and ask if someone is willing to switch shifts. It's another altogether to make changes without asking. Not telling the person about the switch is salt in the wound, but the wound itself is the one-sided change in the first place.
A schedule has to be obligatory for both parties--employee AND employer--or it doesn't mean much. Both sides have to be able to count on what's written or a serious breach of trust can set it, and that can jeopardize what should be a safe and respectful workplace.
:yeah:.thumb.jpg.6eeb2c01c27cfd151d706238b7f6d6b7.jpg){kind=small}
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RN1982
3,362 Posts
Ugh it's too late. I sent the email. I sent another saying that in regards to my previous email, I made no changes to my schedule nor did I switch with another co-worker and that I have two copies of the schedule. One is the master copy and the other is an updated copy with changes made to other co-workers's schedule but not mine and on that schedule I'm off Sunday. I'm not worried about it. I will stand my ground.