I have been working at my current workplace, a hospital downtown, for a little over a year now as full-time. As of Monday I will transfer to part-time because I am starting a new job closer to home. Both managers are aware.
This afternoon I received a phone call from my current manager scheduling a meeting with her, human resources and a union representative on Monday. She would not give me any details except that it was SERIOUS, which is what worries me most, and she would pay me for my time (odd but nice). I asked if it was about a patient (which is my #1 concern) and she said no. But that's all she would tell me. I know this will be at the back of my mind all weekend long, stressing me out! This is the first time I've been asked to come in on my day off and meet with people other than her. Any ideas what it could be about?
Although I don't think this behind the reason and if it was I will tell her the truth. I called in sick yesterday. I don't call in often ... maybe a handful the entire year. This time it was legitimate, I had schedule conflicts at both workplaces and couldn't find anyone to pick-up my shift. It left me with no choice. I can't be at 2 places at once. I called in really early so they a good amount of time to call or a replacement.
um actually they have my cell number so that they can reach me. They have been known to call me while I am on my way in to work to cancel me. I prefer that to getting all the way to work and finding out I do not have to work.
Meadow85, first off I am going to say this not to make you feel badly, but there appears to be some people who do not seem to be aware of how this is an issue for an employer
To call in sick accepting sick pay for that shift and ;yes to end up caught at another job, yes it is considered fraud. A form of stealing. While Meadow was not aware of this, it does remain a good lesson to us all..
Fraud was the exact term I had heard them use at work when it happened to a co-worker who called in sick but went to their second job. So unless Meadow happens to work on the same unit I do. This must be a common type of conclusion for management.
Again, I do not believe it will harm your license. Sign your exception sheet at work as soon as possible, taking off the paid sick time, make it either sick time without pay , or unexcused time off.
You can ask payroll to take the paid time off, if the check is already in the works. Ask them to make out a new check for you without that shift of pay.That would just be my suggestion.
I'm sorry, but how can this be considerd stealing? It is sick time that the OP has EARNED!!! It is the OP's time to use it how she sees fit. My experience has been that if "you don't use it, you lose it", so what's the difference between the OP using the sick time or the employer "stealing" it back when/if they quit the job? I have seen several co-workers call in sick to work other jobs or have something they want to go to and can't get anyone to cover their shift for them, are they "stealing" too? I just totally disagree with it being called fraud and stealilng!
I'm sorry, but how can this be considerd stealing? It is sick time that the OP has EARNED!!! It is the OP's time to use it how she sees fit. My experience has been that if "you don't use it, you lose it", so what's the difference between the OP using the sick time or the employer "stealing" it back when/if they quit the job? I have seen several co-workers call in sick to work other jobs or have something they want to go to and can't get anyone to cover their shift for them, are they "stealing" too? I just totally disagree with it being called fraud and stealilng!
Employers have their own ideas about what constitutes what. We each do as we need to as individuals. We do not have always agree with management. We make our own choices.
It does go along with my own thoughts when if I have finished all of my work, and have finished giving report and the next shift is on the floor. I clock out even if that means I lose 15 min of time. As in my mind , and in my mind only, that would be stealing. Does not mean it actually is, just my very road to follow.
So, what if the OP used an earned vacation day for the day they called in sick, would that be considred stealing too? If that be the case, then whenever we take a weeks worth of vacation time, then we better stay at home with the doors locked, the lights off, and the blinds pulled, because God forbid if we have a say in what activities we do on our EARNED time off. Anywho, I think the manager was petty by calling her house and checking up on her, not to see how she was feeling mind you, because she was looking for a reason to get rid of her and this was her chance. I was the DON of a long term care facility for a BRIEF period (will never do that again!!!!!) and wanted so many times to "check in" on an employee that called in sick, but never did. I did, however, drive by one of my nurses house the day she called in sick, but that was because her house was on the way to the resteraunt we went to for lunch. She was home by the way.
jlsRN: I was in over my head. I am in over my head. But, it was supposed to be temporary until I settled into my new job or got a feel for what it was like first before I left my other place completely.
dusktildawn: I looked over the master schedule to see who was off during that day and I found a few people and talked to them personally. During the meeting my manager asked why I didn't come to her. She is not very accommodating or supportive from my experience. I felt I had to take it upon myself because last time I had come to her asking for a day off, 1 month in advance, on the day she scheduled me in for a night shift because it was the last day of my vacation period during which I would be landing back in Canada after a 19hr flight. Surely I would be jet-legged and was in no shape to work. She said it was my responsibility to find someone. Fortunately that time I was able to find someone because I had ample time. If she wouldn't help me then, what reason did I have to think she would help me now given a week. Like I said, I felt like I had no choice at the time.
You aren't the first person to ever call in sick when you weren't and I'm sure won't be the last. I think it kind of sneaky of her to check up on you anyway. Wishing you the best of luck.
Some of you all are doing the same thing that happens in a crime.
Mr. X does this and that. Mrs. B reports it. Instead of everyone focusing on the fact that Mr. X indeed committed the crime everyone instead is mad at Mrs. B for being a snitch or petty or whatever...
It's a bit immature.
How can you judge someone you don't know?
Ultimately the OP made the mistake. The management is legit in it's claim of fraud as it is a fraud. Look up your state law concerning sick time. They also have a right to check up on you.
Even if they didn't have the right, the OP lied... Even if it wasn't fraud and not a problem they would still have to address the lie. Employees don't just get to lie. A nurse or anyone without integrity and honesty is headed for trouble.
I bet many nurses here wouldn't tolerate someone that forgot to give insulin and then lied about it. If you dropped a patient and then lied about it would you get mad a HR for wanting to disciplining you?
It's a business... Why do people expect businesses NOT to run like businesses?
So, if I call in sick, and am not really sick, is that considered fraud? My union contract says nothing about "fraud changes" if sick time is used for non-sick days. It just says I am entitled to XX amount of hours sick pay per month worked. Just sayin...
Thank you for all your comments/criticisms, they have given me a different perspective about the situation and nursing in general. I appreciate it. I wouldn't be able to talk this openly anywhere else.
AllNurses.com is an invaluable resource. We can talk anonymously here (if careful) about issues no one can understand that is not a nurse. I've discussed numerous difficult issues on this forum, and have received an incredible amount of wise advise and amazing support here.
I think the OP could have handled the situation better(ie if you're going to lie to your employer about being sick, cover your tracks:D)but I still think her NM is petty and not someone I'd want to work for. I agree with those who think the manager was mad the OP had another job and was just waiting for an opportunity. If it were me, I'd suggest she pucker up and kiss my chubby white hienie and do it fast, because I'm outta here!
And I work in a union facility-they are not allowed to interrogate you about why you are taking sick time. If they get really persistant, you can file a grievance for harassment.
At any rate, lesson learned for the OP on several fronts..One, regarding the sick time and two, realizing that there are some real doozies of employers and that no one should stay in a sucky job.
lpnflorida, LPN
1,304 Posts
um actually they have my cell number so that they can reach me. They have been known to call me while I am on my way in to work to cancel me. I prefer that to getting all the way to work and finding out I do not have to work.