I called in to work,(last Friday - 0800) explaining that my Father had just passed away(O145)...and that I would not be able to come in to work (I did have the next three days off)and as his funeral would be out of state , so I would be using my PTO/ Vacation (four days) to make a week (7 days total off)...funeral would be on either day 4 or 5 depending on when it was arranged....
I was stunned to hear my direct supervisor tell me that I would have to come in and work my next regular scheduled days, as someone else had requested some time off ( the exact days I would need) in order to have a "gargage sale", so I could NOT have the time off to attend my Father's funeral. Worse I think was the remark "well he's not going anyplace now is he, so you do not NEED those days."
According to the good old employee handbook, three days is the time off allowed for an immediate family member's death...
When I went up the chain of command to explain and make the request (with the filled out PTO sheet in hand), I was told to take the time, paper was signed by CNO (Chief Nursing Officer). I made two copies of that paper, one I placed in my immediate supervisor's inbox and I kept a copy for myself.
I then went ahead and left for the funeral trip...
NEVER did I expect a telephone call to my cell phone (this call came within five minutes of Dad's start of his service by the way) from my direct supervisor teling me that if I was NOT at work within 15 minutes I would be terminated! I told her that was not possible and that she needed to read the approved PTO paper for the time off granted, and if she had any other or further concerns to speak with the CNO.
When I returned back, I found I was in fact terminated. The reason given was No Call No Show --not able to be contact by supervisor for explaination of reason not at work...
This termination paper was signed by my direct supervisor and the CNO...
Excuse me? Somehow the PTO approved paper was NOT in my file, but good old me had MY copy....oh so NOW my job is safe and sound after I can find the copy?
No, I am NOT returning to that place, and I would like to think that the NEXT time someone's family member passes, that those still there are treated with far more compassion and sympathy than I was.
Thank you all for reading this. That in itself is enough.
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
WOW, I don't even have the words to respond, what a terrible experience , my sincerest condolences on the passing of your dad, and then to be treated in the most inhumane way.... what has happened to humanity? Prayers to you, :icon_hug:
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
HO-LY moley..... UN believable!!!!!!
I called in to work,(last Friday - 0800) explaining that my Father had just passed away(O145)...and that I would not be able to come in to work (I did have the next three days off)and as his funeral would be out of state , so I would be using my PTO/ Vacation (four days) to make a week (7 days total off)...funeral would be on either day 4 or 5 depending on when it was arranged....
I was stunned to hear my direct supervisor tell me that I would have to come in and work my next regular scheduled days, as someone else had requested some time off ( the exact days I would need) in order to have a "gargage sale", so I could NOT have the time off to attend my Father's funeral. Worse I think was the remark "well he's not going anyplace now is he, so you do not NEED those days."
According to the good old employee handbook, three days is the time off allowed for an immediate family member's death...
When I went up the chain of command to explain and make the request (with the filled out PTO sheet in hand), I was told to take the time, paper was signed by CNO (Chief Nursing Officer). I made two copies of that paper, one I placed in my immediate supervisor's inbox and I kept a copy for myself.
I then went ahead and left for the funeral trip...
NEVER did I expect a telephone call to my cell phone (this call came within five minutes of Dad's start of his service by the way) from my direct supervisor teling me that if I was NOT at work within 15 minutes I would be terminated! I told her that was not possible and that she needed to read the approved PTO paper for the time off granted, and if she had any other or further concerns to speak with the CNO.
When I returned back, I found I was in fact terminated. The reason given was No Call No Show --not able to be contact by supervisor for explaination of reason not at work...
This termination paper was signed by my direct supervisor and the CNO...
Excuse me? Somehow the PTO approved paper was NOT in my file, but good old me had MY copy....oh so NOW my job is safe and sound after I can find the copy?
No, I am NOT returning to that place, and I would like to think that the NEXT time someone's family member passes, that those still there are treated with far more compassion and sympathy than I was.
Thank you all for reading this. That in itself is enough.
:icon_hug:You have my utmost sympathy for the loss of your father and the horrible way your employer treated you. I think it speaks volumes that an industry that is supposed to be focused on the care of patients and families has so little compassion.
When my father passed unexpectedly at the age of 52, my boss said to me, "Take your time, grieve and get better, when you are ready to come back we will all still be here." Of course this was at a small privately owned assisted living center, not a big healthcare sweat-shop as most places have become.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? My jaw was completely dropped as I read your post. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. To add the worst insult to such a great injury!!! I cannot even believe the inhumanity of your workplace. And what was the CNO thinking to sign the termination papers? God don't like ugly. All that you have experienced means something good is coming. Just hang in there. My prayers are with you at this hard time in your life.
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I agree with the poster who said that God don't like ugly. That supervisor is going to live to deeply regret her treatment of you.
I don't understand it, myself. I hope that common human decency isn't becoming that uncommon.
BTW, make sure that they pay you correctly for the days you were out, even though you aren't going back there (and I don't blame you at all for that). Hold their feet to the fire and make sure you get every penny you have coming to you.
Good luck in finding a great job with real live human beings the next time!
I had a similiar situation. My grandfather passed away. I informed the NM I would be traveling out of state to attend the funeral. I filled out the appropriate forms (I had 5 weeks of vacation time, plus personal days "in the bank") and gave her copies and HR. I was called into HR and the big chesse asked me if I was really that close to my grandfather and did I reeeeeeaaaaally need to attend the funeral.
I walked out of the office without answering.
It is not my fault (or yours) that hospitals work so short staffed, that if a family emergency arrises, they can't cover it. I had so much vacation time because I have covered for so many other employees
who have had emergencies.
Report the hospital for violation of the Family Leave Act. Prevent this hospital from doing this to another employee. You have the power to do this! Good luck with your future position!
I agree 100% with Shelley. DO NOT let them get away with this. It does violate the family leave act. What they did was a direct contradiciton to their own policy. It's unlawful termination in my eyes and I would be demanding any PTO I had banked and my three bereavement days to be paid in full.
Probably not politicaly correct but maybe we should start a forum that lists the names of the employers that treat thier professional staff like this so others don't waste thier time seeking employment at such wonderful caring places!
So sorry to hear about your dad, they are never with us long enough and there isn't anything that makes thier passing easier.
I'd recommend filing for unemployment, saying you were wrongly terminated. If you can prove they did not adhere to their own policies and then fired you - the unemployment judge will love approving you for unemployment and wacking the facility with unemployment costs. (I have seen this happen with a friend and a relative.)
Unemployment isn't much, but it would help give you a little time to find the job you really want. Another thing is - it would force HR and your supervisor to show up and answer the allegations of wrongful termination in an unemployment hearing. So they'd have to explain to a unemployment judge just why they did this inhumane thing that violated their own policies. That should make them squirm.
UN believable!!!!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? My jaw was completely dropped as I read your post. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. To add the worst insult to such a great injury!!! I cannot even believe the inhumanity of your workplace. And what was the CNO thinking to sign the termination papers?
GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN
833 Posts
WOW, I don't even have the words to respond, what a terrible experience , my sincerest condolences on the passing of your dad, and then to be treated in the most inhumane way.... what has happened to humanity? Prayers to you, :icon_hug: