I am an RN working full time in the ED. Every shift I am subjected to below par PPE standards. Asked to re-use N95 and surgical masks for multiple patients, covid or not. So it was not to my surprise when I got a call informing me a patient I had provided care for later had a positive covid 19 test. I was informed to contact our employee health if I developed symptoms. A few days later I had a cough, sore throat, HA, fatigue and sneezing. I contacted my employee health as instructed, a test was ordered, I was instructed to remain at home til I received my results. Unfortunately I am still waiting......
My issue with the situation is that my employer has already let me know the repercussions of a negative test, should that be my result.
I will receive an occurrence for missing my shift while awaiting test results. (The quantine was orderd by employee health)
I will have to use my accrued PTO to cover any hours missed while in quantine awaiting my test results.
I will also have the weekend shifts I miss counted against me while in quantine awaiting results. Meaning I can have less weekend shifts off for the remainder of the year.
As an employee I have always helped when it comes to providing for our adopted Christmas family or the food drives. As an ED nurse I am in the frontline of this pandemic, caring for those in need, risking my own health for lack of PPE. This has been extremely difficult for me to understand how the hospital I work for can treat me this way as I await my results.
The community has been amazing and supportive of our ED staff. They have given snacks, meals, encouragement and thanks this entire time. However, the hospital I work for can't do the same. It is shameful to work for such an organization.
Thank you so much. As the Mom of an addicted daughter, besides being an RN, my heart is broken. I just wanted to be part of the solution.
You may feel very satisfied doing a higher lever of care. But detox is mentally and spiritually draining on its own.
But perhaps CSS or a higher level of care elsewhere and I really suggest per diem or at most part time if you ever go back to detox. But you can help in many ways. I does not have to be fulltime.
After reading the prior posts, I know there is a good reason why I have avoided the many, many job opportunities for detox/rehab facilities posted in my area. I don't see myself working in these conditions even on a good day. My hats off to those who can deal with this.
I have always said, the people you work with are not your friends. It sounds harsh, but it is the truth. If you have no relationship outside of work with your co workers, chances are you will never see them again when you leave the workplace. You need to evaluate your relationships with your co workers honestly, because you should not make career decisions based on supposed friendship that is really not there.
I know two lawyers who cover NY, NJ, Penn, Fla, Mass, Ca. and they may have trusted associates in other states. I heard Texas is very active state for legal advice on this.
I don't know about who you have reached out too, but Krystal and Saagar have been highlighting stories from people who have reached out to them on Twitter.
Twitter is a great place to get one on one contact with a ton of people in all walks of life. Good luck!
To all the people saying get a lawyer what exactly is she going to sue them for?! They aren’t doing anything illegal. Despicable, yes; illegal, no. She hasn’t got a case. There was no indication (that I remember) in her initial post that she was not provided PPE and forced to care for COVID-19 patients. She isn’t being denied benefits. She’s very likely to get the occurrence expunged on appeal within their system. I don’t know about all of you but I don’t have the kind of money it takes to hire a lawyer on something that isn’t a sure bet. And this wouldn’t even make it to court.
(Sec. 5102) This section requires employers to provide paid sick time to employees who are unable to work due to the effects of COVID-19 (I.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, full-time employees are entitled to 80 hours of paid sick time, which is available immediately, for use if the employee
is subject to a governmental quarantine or isolation order,
has been advised by a health-care provider to self-quarantine,
is caring for an individual who is subject to governmental or self-quarantine,
is caring for the employee's child because the child's school or child-care provider is closed, or
is experiencing a substantially similar circumstance related to COVID-19 as specified by the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Labor.
Paid sick time under this section may be used before other paid leave that may be available to an employee. Part-time employees are entitled to such paid sick time for the average number of hours the part-time employee works during an average two-week period. Paid sick time under this section may not carry over from one year to the next.
(Sec. 5103) Employers must provide conspicuous notice in the workplace of the emergency paid sick time requirements under this division and Labor must provide publicly-available models of such notice not later than seven days after the enactment of this division.
(Sec. 5103) Employers must provide conspicuous notice in the workplace of the emergency paid sick time requirements under this division and Labor must provide publicly-available models of such notice not later than seven days after the enactment of this division.
(Sec. 5104) Employers are prohibited from taking adverse actions against employees who take leave under this division, or take actions to enforce the requirements of this division.
(Sec. 5105) Employers who violate the emergency paid sick time requirements are subject to fines and imprisonment pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Well, there you go. Print it out and take it to HR. Occurrence expunged. No attorney needed. However, you will still be required to use your sick leave to cover the days you are off. This bill does not appear to grant an additional 80hrs of paid COVID sick leave on top of what you already have.
LC0929, ASN, RN, EMT-B
113 Posts
Thank you so much. As the Mom of an addicted daughter, besides being an RN, my heart is broken. I just wanted to be part of the solution.