time off revoked $3500 trip,

dazey71 · Jan 12, 2007

I think that if the hospital wants to keep you, they wouldn't do that. I've heard of hospitals doing that, but I'd think they would have to have a really good reason.

Freedom42 · Jan 12, 2007

Would trip insurance be an option? I have no idea if it covers work-related cancellations, but I know when my brother's honeymoon was cancelled due to a hurricane, he was very happy to hear that his wife had shelled out $130 for coverage. They got their money back, then rescheduled a year later.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2007

Truthfully, you knew when you accepted this job that you wanted to go on this trip, it should have been discussed during your interview or before your orientation process with whoever schedules or approves those things.

If you had been at this facility for a period of time that would be one thing, but less than 2 months into a job and you have to have a week off? Thats going to be stretching it a bit probly. Good luck,, and i hope you are able to go, but dont be surprised if you have to wave goodbye to your hubby and a buddy he takes to keep from losing the money in order to keep your new job.

Jolie, BSN · Jan 12, 2007

I would not accept the job under these conditions.

It is not uncommon for a job candidate or new employee to request special consideration for time off prior to actually having earned sufficient vacation time (weddings, pre-planned family vacations and reunions, etc.) Most employers will accomodate this one a one-time basis as long as it is discussed well in advance, either during the interview process or immediately upon employment.

But that is not really the issue here. As I understand it, this employer reserves the right to cancel ANY previously approved time-off. That is clearly not acceptable. Employees earn vacation time for a good reason, and once it is approved, it needs to be honored. Working under these conditions, no employee will ever have a guarantee of a vacation.

I would simply not be willing to work for an employer who held my personal time hostage. I suspect that this institution is not employee-friendly on any other issue, either.

Batman24 · Jan 12, 2007

Was the trip discussed prior to accepting the job?! If you haven't told them about the trip as of yet you should do so ASAP. Tell them you have thousands invested into the trip. I would do that first and see if they even give you a problem. Get it in writing.

GardenDove · Jan 13, 2007

what a bunch of bull(profanity deleted)

tencat · Jan 13, 2007

Good grief. No wonder there's a shortage in some areas. That's unreasonable and worthy of not taking the job in my opinion. It's not the NURSE'S problem if the hospital can't get staffing issues together if someone has given them ample notice and leave has already been approved. I had planned a trip before I was hired, and I was upfront about it with the nurse manager. She didn't like it a whole lot, but she was willing to cut the slack since I was new and had the plans for months already before I was hired. She made sure I knew how to plan future vacations, though :wink2:

AfloydRN, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2007

When I was hired, I told my manager that I had already planned and paid for our family vacation. It would have to be approved for me to take the position. Done.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Jan 13, 2007

I just started a new job today. In the orientation literature,it said time off could be revoked at the last minute if the facility needs to.
We go to Mardi Gras. You have to make reservations 10 months in advance. There is price gouging. Rooms can be $700 per night and there is a 5 night minimum. Plane tickets are inflated too. All money must be paid in advance and is strictly non-refundable.
What if I have paid 3500 for a trip and they tell me two days before I have to forget the trip because I have to fill in for someone?
No wonder there is a nursing shortage if you can't even plan a vacation.

Perhaps you are making a mountain out of a mole-hill. This was written in the orientation literature? It is possible that it is a blanket statement that allows the hospital to cancel employee vacation time, sick time, etc in the event of extreme circumstances. We are talking about Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 type incidents where it is imperative that all staff be immediately available. I hardly doubt that you will be asked to cancel a trip made 10 months in advance because too many people called in sick that day or you have a slightly higher than normal census. If that is the case, seek employment elsewhere immediately. But honestly, in my employee handbook there are similar statements that give the hospital certain rights during times of disaster.

Best thing to do is to clarify the information with HR and your NM.

TazziRN, RN · Jan 13, 2007

It's in our employee policies too, but it means that time off requests can be revoked if there was a critical situation, meaning some kind of disaster. Once approved, the time off can't be revoked just because there's a staffing shortage.

nuangel1, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2007

When I was hired, I told my manager that I had already planned and paid for our family vacation. It would have to be approved for me to take the position. Done.

exactly i had a vacation planned and knew the weeks when i interviewed i told him i required that time off he said no problem then i reminded him of it when he offered me the job.i also required it in writing and accepted the position .done i took the vacation .it was a condition of my hire had he refused i would have turned him down .