Please don't change my schedule and not tell me..

RN1982 · Feb 2, 2009

No, we're not union.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2009

How about this,, maybe it was a mistake? Maybe they were suppose to change someone else's shift and accidentally changed yours? I'm not sure how your schedule is layed out on paper, but I can see where an x in a box can get in the wrong box. Just wait and see what the manager has to say, maybe it was a mistake.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Feb 2, 2009

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.

This is true, Miranda, and it echoes the lack of respect that those who make the schedules have for the employees who do the work. And there's zero accountability at times - yet another problem. There are those with whom we all work who mistakenly think they can do whatever they want to whomever they choose. Sad, really. Hopefully Trauma gets it all straight soon.

Who knows, it could have been a mistake, but there should be backups in place to prevent this from happening. The schedule shouldn't be the only means by which we verify who's working and who's not.

I don't know about anyone else, but we use a staffing sheet, put out by the floor that shows, for each shift, who's working and for how long. The staffing office also has a master copy for each shift, every day. Any changes to the schedule are supposed to be reflected on the staffing sheet also.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 3, 2009

our collective agreement allows for the employer to make changes to our schedule. but it also stipulates that changes be recorded on the master schedule, that the nurse be notified promptly and if the schedule change is made less than 14 days prior to the affected shift, the nurse shall be paid double time for the first changed shift. our unit has tried to simply make the change on the computerized scheduling programme we use, but not tell the affected person. that backfired on them when there were two grievances filed back to back. then they tried to send an email with the notice of change, but we don't have ready access to our work email accounts and people weren't getting their notice. our local addressed this email thing at our last joint committee meeting and told management that either they build time into the shift for reading emails and make computer terminals more available to staff, or find alternative methods of communicating critical information. (two months later we got a bulletin board...) and for schedule changes they were told to pick up the phone...

"the employer can make adjustments to change a scheduled shift without penalty with 14 or more days notice. however, each affected employee must be properly notified. notification issues have come up with email. for example, an email message to an employee’s work email address, on a weekend when they are not at work, does not constitute notice.

the provincial collective agreement addresses this in article 7.04 (b):

employees shall be notified of such changes in their schedule and such changes shall be recorded on the shift schedule.

the employee must be notified through a reliable and confirmable method. this could happen by phone, in person, or whatever method of communication is normally used between managers and staff.

the shift change must also be made on the posted schedule. changing the posted scheduled shift is not enough by itself, and notifying each affected employee is not enough. both must be done.

without proper notice of at least 14 days, the employer is liable for a 2x penalty for the first shift of a changed schedule.

— article 7.04 una provincial collective agreement"

RN1982 · Feb 3, 2009

Update...

Ok, I've had a lot of things going on. I was actually suppose to work sunday night. I forgot about a switch I made with a co-worker. Luckily, it turned out ok. They had enough staff and had 10 open beds. Now I have to talk to my manager in the a.m. I feel totally stupid but thankfully this is the first time I've done this and it will be the last.

RN1982 · Feb 3, 2009

Yep, I'm losing it.

Batman24 · Feb 3, 2009

You strike me as being a very dependable nurse given how worried about your co-workers you were when you thought they made the error. I'm sure they know you to be reliable and kind so pls don't sweat it. If this is the biggest mistake you make in 2009 consider it a good year. wink Hugs.

RN1982 · Feb 3, 2009

You strike me as being a very dependable nurse given how worried about your co-workers you were when you thought they made the error. I'm sure they know you to be reliable and kind so pls don't sweat it. If this is the biggest mistake you make in 2009 consider it a good year. wink Hugs.

Thanks. This is quite out of the norm for me. Usually I'm pretty good about remembering things like that. I think it will be fine because my managers know I'm not one to be late for any reason. I picked up Thursday night this week because I know they are short. Hopefully that's all I will need to do to make up for my error.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 3, 2009

Thread closed per request from the OP.