Hey all - I'm looking for input on the following situation:
a co-worker has been granted a religious accommodation to never work a Saturday (hospital ICU, where everyone is scheduled every other weekend). She does not have to work every Sunday, and they have not filled the hole her not working as created. As you can imagine, our Saturdays are horrible. I have gone to our union - NYSNA - but they are not willing to do anything.
She is also scheduled 8 hours less every two weeks than the rest of us, yet still maintains full-time benefits even though she is actually working what is considered part-time.
I'm becoming extremely resentful......am I valid feeling this way, or should I just mind my own business?
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
As a chassidic religious Jew (I wear a fedora and long coat on the weekends and have a flowing majestic beard I sat down for my first RN interview and built a nice rapport. The boss indicated on the spot that he wanted me to be part of the team. I said, "hold on cowboy- there are a couple limitations to be spoken." I then told about my Sabbath restrictions.
the boss decided that the unit needed me (ie id be great for the team) and the sabbath thing would be workable.
Now- its important that you know, there was no union. I think that any union which would allow a unit to be short staffed on a Saturday because of a Sabbath observing employee is idiotic, so I cant speak for that (I still believe that nursing unions are dangerous).
What was I supposed to do? Not become a nurse?
First, let me say welcome to AN!
Secondly, I'm curious....do you have anything you have to do to keep your beard "legal" at work, such as cover it, etc? And, no, you weren't supposed to become a nurse just because of your religion.
Probably at brunch with her best friend who is telling her all about the most unfortunate and sad incident that happened with their other friend that wears a headdress and was fired. They are waiting on Kathy who is still upset Jon was high and got away with it. But that's none of my business.
Actually I was with my family Sunday as it was Mother's Day, and I worked 13-14 hrs Mon and Tues. Sorry to disappoint, however.
Allow me some clarification: 95% of my resentment is towards the hospital as a whole; management specifically. I have no personal problems with this particular nurse; actually we get along quite well. She's a very sweet person. I even shared my goldfish crackers with her yesterday when we were both too busy to stop and get something to eat. This is in no way personal and we work very well together. My only issue with her is why would she work in a 24/7/365 facility knowing full well she isn't willing to work probably the single hardest shift to staff?
How do I know all this? I asked her initially. We are allowed one additional weekend off per year (other than scheduled ones). She had just joined us on days from nights and I saw on the schedule she was off that Saturday. I asked her if she had anything fun scheduled or was going away since using your one weekend is kind of a big deal - just making small talk really. She told me then she is off every Saturday for her religion at that time. I didn't say anything and I honestly don't know what religion she is. No reason to be "stymied" by any of this.
Re: the FT vs PT issue. There are no PT issues in our unit - really only in the OR. Her job was just posted a few months ago as FT. In looking at the schedule I noticed she was a shift short from everyone else most of the time. I once again asked her. I was told the manager told her she's not needed. This I don't understand and frankly it pisses me off. Every once in a while she'll work the same number of shifts as the rest of us.
Perhaps there was some "behind the scenes dealing" to allow her FT benefits without FT hours. I highly doubt it but it's certainly possible.
We're more short than not. As far as the unit's "back up plan" - there is none. They will float us someone if they can, but of course they can't take vents/CRRT/IABP etc. They will also send out a mass text message to everyone asking for help. That works about once every 6 months. When we're short - it sucks to be us.
Another issue I probably should have mentioned (I apologize) - there are two rotations. We are on the short one. All they would need to do to be in compliance with the staffing ratios outlined in the contract is to move one person from the other rotation to this one and the problem is solved. Yes we have all spoken to the manager re: this. She will "let us know."
Do I want this particular nurse to work every Saturday? I don't care who works, as long as someone does. I honestly don't think making her work every Sunday will even make a difference. They'll just be heavier on Sundays and we'll still be short on Saturdays. And yes, being short one RN in a small rural ICU can and does make a difference. Throw in a few 1:1 and a scheduled vacation day or call-in and it is without a doubt problematic.
Hope that clarifies a few things - and thanks for all the input!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm with the OP on this one. The whole reason we have unions is so management can't favour one employee over another. I would be frosted if someone got the same bennies for less work but everyone else was told to pound sand.
If they needed to make that deal to recruit that nurse then they need to find a way to sweeten the pot for everyone else. They also need to fill her vacant spot on Saturdays. Of course it's going to breed resentment if others have to routinely pick up the slack - especially when patient care is clearly being compromised.
It's management's prerogative to give anyone the perks they want, but they need to be prepared to equalize treatment in some way. And make sure patient care is not compromised. Shame on the union for not advocating for everyone.
If the OP's co-worker has some downsides to her sweet deal -- working part time but getting full time benefits and no Saturdays ever, I would hope that that would be as visible to her colleagues as her "No Saturdays" and full time benefits apparently are. Otherwise, where is the union on this one?
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Actually I was with my family Sunday as it was Mother's Day, and I worked 13-14 hrs Mon and Tues. Sorry to disappoint, however.
Allow me some clarification: 95% of my resentment is towards the hospital as a whole; management specifically. I have no personal problems with this particular nurse; actually we get along quite well. She's a very sweet person. I even shared my goldfish crackers with her yesterday when we were both too busy to stop and get something to eat. This is in no way personal and we work very well together. My only issue with her is why would she work in a 24/7/365 facility knowing full well she isn't willing to work probably the single hardest shift to staff?
How do I know all this? I asked her initially. We are allowed one additional weekend off per year (other than scheduled ones). She had just joined us on days from nights and I saw on the schedule she was off that Saturday. I asked her if she had anything fun scheduled or was going away since using your one weekend is kind of a big deal - just making small talk really. She told me then she is off every Saturday for her religion at that time. I didn't say anything and I honestly don't know what religion she is. No reason to be "stymied" by any of this.
Re: the FT vs PT issue. There are no PT issues in our unit - really only in the OR. Her job was just posted a few months ago as FT. In looking at the schedule I noticed she was a shift short from everyone else most of the time. I once again asked her. I was told the manager told her she's not needed. This I don't understand and frankly it pisses me off. Every once in a while she'll work the same number of shifts as the rest of us.
Perhaps there was some "behind the scenes dealing" to allow her FT benefits without FT hours. I highly doubt it but it's certainly possible.
We're more short than not. As far as the unit's "back up plan" - there is none. They will float us someone if they can, but of course they can't take vents/CRRT/IABP etc. They will also send out a mass text message to everyone asking for help. That works about once every 6 months. When we're short - it sucks to be us.
Another issue I probably should have mentioned (I apologize) - there are two rotations. We are on the short one. All they would need to do to be in compliance with the staffing ratios outlined in the contract is to move one person from the other rotation to this one and the problem is solved. Yes we have all spoken to the manager re: this. She will "let us know."
Do I want this particular nurse to work every Saturday? I don't care who works, as long as someone does. I honestly don't think making her work every Sunday will even make a difference. They'll just be heavier on Sundays and we'll still be short on Saturdays. And yes, being short one RN in a small rural ICU can and does make a difference. Throw in a few 1:1 and a scheduled vacation day or call-in and it is without a doubt problematic.
Hope that clarifies a few things - and thanks for all the input!
Oh you didn't disappoint me. It gave me the perfect opportunity to make the post you quoted, it was meant to be a tongue in cheek post that a few members would get. That's super sweet you shared your goldfish crackers. I bet she was super appreciative about that.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
But I think it's easy in these situations (especially when resentment is prevalent) is assumptions start getting made and start getting passed around as facts. I see this a lot working in the homeless community. It's amazing how many people know someone that was holding a sign begging for money and then drove off in their Mercedes. That's what this makes me think of. Then it turns out they didn't actually know the person, but they heard of it and so on.
Hey I actually SAW someone holding a sign begging for money and then drive off in a Lexus. Does that count?
Your problem is that you are understaffed on Saturdays.
Your coworker's religious beliefs are not your problem and also are none of your business.
Work on solving the actual problem.
Isn't that what she's trying to do? She didn't say she had a beef with the coworker's beliefs, except that she is forced to work short because the Manager is incompetent.
I guess if employers are willing to accommodate Jewish people by giving them Saturdays off, then they must allow all Christians off Sundays. The problem is that when one gets into a 24/7/365 job, the expectation is that one must be willing to work weekends, holidays, etc. People don't stop needing healthcare on Saturdays.
Similarly, a Jehovah witness must be willing to administer blood transfusions....it comes with the territory.
Your religious freedom ends when it encroaches on others. And in the OP's case, it does. An employer could be accused of religious discrimination and favoritism which breaks federal law.
If the nurse can't work Saturdays, she should find a job where working Saturdays aren't required.
Did those Christians ask for every Sunday off?
Are you thinking that the Manager asked the person if she wanted to be off q Saturday?
The bold part is wrong. They became her "problem and her business" when she started to have to work short-staffed because this nurse refused to work Saturdays. As I said in another post, this nurse should be a team player and work EVERY Sunday or pick up slack in another way then. But she apparently isn't a team player. Everyone saying it's none of the OP's business is wrong. It is her business because she is forced to work in dangerously short-staffing conditions, taking 3-4 vent patients. It's untenable, unfair, unsafe and wrong.
I have problems with people who agree to work in 24/7 places/conditions and then re-neg and refuse to work 24/7 or at least try and make up for it in ways that benefit others who have to cover for their shortfalls. This nurse knew damn good and well the ICU was a 24/7 unit when she accept the position, but took it anyway, knowing she would refuse to work Saturdays, even though everyone is required to work every other weekend.
The union is failing miserably here, but I bet they don't fail to collect their dues. And the OP TRIED to "work on the problem"; she went to the union, who failed to do anything about it.
It's grossly unfair to the nurse's coworkers--- and the patients, who are not receiving safe care. The nurse's religious beliefs are not anyone else's business, but the conditions they are forcing everyone to work in, and the patients' unsafe care, are.
As a chassidic religious Jew (I wear a fedora and long coat on the weekends and have a flowing majestic beard I sat down for my first RN interview and built a nice rapport. The boss indicated on the spot that he wanted me to be part of the team. I said, "hold on cowboy- there are a couple limitations to be spoken." I then told about my Sabbath restrictions.
the boss decided that the unit needed me (ie id be great for the team) and the sabbath thing would be workable.
Now- its important that you know, there was no union. I think that any union which would allow a unit to be short staffed on a Saturday because of a Sabbath observing employee is idiotic, so I cant speak for that (I still believe that nursing unions are dangerous).
I sat down for my first RN interview and built a nice rapport. The boss indicated on the spot that he wanted me to be part of the team. I said, "hold on cowboy- there are a couple limitations to be spoken." I then told about my Sabbath restrictions. 
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~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN
5,259 Posts
For the record they didn't say it any better. I just got bored repeating myself so I left them alone.