I just found this site and thought it might be a good area to get some feedback in. I am an RN with many years of experience in a particular specialty area. I worked for many years at a particular hospital and following encouragement from my husband decided to check out a hospital that was nearer to our home. I had been in a supervisor capacity at the first hospital as well as a nurse educator. I received immediate (next morning) response from the second hospital department manager, followed by a nursing recruiter later that day, who quoted a sign on bonus as well as hourly rate. Following an interview I was immediately offered the position (as a staff nurse) and accepted it. I received a written offer of the position and sign on bonus a week later (the sign on bonus was different than originally quoted). I gave notice of many weeks to the first hospital. On the SECOND day of employment (morning of the first night position I was to work) I received a call from nurse recruiter stating there were two problems - 1) the hourly rate she gave me was too high, and I was going to have to take a substantial reduction - sorry, her fault, but nothing she could do about it since this is a union hospital. Stated that she had "just" caught this. Please realize that this number would have been looked at my many many eyes prior to it being offered, and that I spoke with this woman on 6 separate occasions prior to my start date, and again on my start date. The second was a discrepancy in the payout of the sign on bonus - it was originally quoted as in two dispursements, then in the written offer letter it was in quarters. I spoke to her about this and she had stated it was a mistake, and changed it back to two dispursements (she rewrote it and we both signed). On SECOND day of employment she stated it was supposed to have been in quarters (now forth time it was changed). I informed her we had already signed the contract on the sign on bonus, and that I WOULD NOT have come to this hospital at the hourly rate she was now telling me I would have to accept. :nono:I have since found out that I am not the first nurse this hospital has done this to (suspected it, and then had it confirmed by extremely reliable source). They have an extremely difficult time getting nurses d/t location (and hiring practice????). Has anyone else had this happen to them?? If so, did you pursue recourse on the hospital or let it go and accept the lower wage scale? I resigned and am seriously considering pursuing this - especially to stop this from ever happening to any other nurse coming to this hospital!!!! Many nurses coming here would have no option but to accept the lower wage d/t relocation to accept the position in the first place.
Would really appreciate some feedback out there, and any thoughts on this!!!
I would not pursue this, personally. I mean would you really want to work for a hospital that has already given you this impression? Despite the amount of money, if you cannot trust your employer will follow through on even written promises/contracts, what's the use of working there. I don't know if there is a lack of communication or simply shady business practices, but in reality, you'll never know when they're going to screw you over again.
First, let me express my sorrow for your situation, and sadness that there are places that operate like this.
I was hired at an ECF and promised benefits, then recieved an answering machine message on my day off, that if i didn't come in within a half hour to meet with someone, I would not be able to partake of my benefits.
In your situation, I don't believe you have to work before the contract goes into effect (read it carefully!). I would first try to get my old job back again, then pursuse legal action with the other place. I think you can get damages for any lost time and help other nurses by putting these people on notice that they cannot behave like this.
This behavior is clearly intimidation tactics, and with a creative lawyer, you can salve the pain with some cash, while helping other nurses and hospital employees in the future. Its the right thing to do. Go GET 'EM!!!!!!
I'd first ensure that I can go back to my old job and from there, I would pursue this. The facility in question probably has a high turnover rate for the above reasons you mentioned plus more under the carpet that you probably did not see.
Smart advise. I would go back to my old employer and tell them that you quit to work closer to home based on the initial wage promise offered and signed for, but then your new employer did not honor their promise. They should understand.
Agree with others, try to get your old job back. Then pursue this with the labor board and tell everyone you know about the situation. Probably not worth going after them personally, as the attorney would cost you big bucks and you'd get little $ for your efforts - if you got anything.
If you want to continue working for people you probably don't trust at this point...file a grievance with your union steward. Sounds like they have started out on the wrong foot and I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them...I agree with the post that says you really don't want to start this job off with a battle, do you?
I did have something similar happen to me...As a specialist they back-pedaled big time and even gave me a bigger bump in pay to correct the situation -- otherwise I would have so walked. Luckily I didn't have to get the union involved to make it right. I doubt that it is, but perhaps it is an honest mistake, but it doesn't sound like it based on what you said. They keep screwing up, so I wouldn't give them another chance to screw things up more than they already have. You don't need those headaches...and you shouldn't have to endure them. If this employer has a shortage of nurses, maybe this is another reason they do -- because they keep trying to cut your pay --- so I'd cross them off your list as a place you'd want to work.
Honestly, I would channel my energy into getting rehired by your previous employer or an employer that has your best interests at heart, cut your losses with this employer, and move on to bigger and better things. :)
Thanks for all of the reply's. I should say that getting my job back from first hospital is not a problem d/t my experience etc. I have been told by previous employer she is thrilled I want to come back. I will not be getting the exact job I left, it's been filled, but I will get a job. However, my concern is for the nurses that they have already done this to (know there are others for a fact) and those they will do it to in the future if nothing is done. Someone has to step up and do something don't you think? Others that have had this done to them by this hospital have not wanted to/been able to step up d/t finances, fear of being fired (those that did try were fired for inane reasons). I feel that if I don't try to do something about this, I would be letting down the nursing profession as a whole. As nurses, we are expected to treat our fellow workers and patient populations with respect, empathy, and caring. Should we except less for ourselves?
I would call an employment lawyer ASAP and make a complaint with the Dept of Labor and your state Attorney General. They will not be pleased to see this happening. Keep a copy of your original contract and if it's signed by all parties all the better. That's a binding contract. I'd also ask the recruiter to put all this new info into writing if you can. I bet they will be leery to do so. I'd be interested in knowing if this recruiter has encountered this before and is complicit in the matter. Some nurses might be so desperate for money they might sign even when they shouldn't. What a despicable practice.
Will you get a job with your old hospital for the money you were making?! I hope so. I really hope you do follow through. You could be protecting so many nurses behind you if you do. This has to stop.
I would seek legal counsel without telling them anything I am sure if HR was to receive a call from your attorney with regards to this matter they will back off quick. If they questioned me about this I would act just like I have no idea what they mean. I would simply say well since I signed a legal contract, I never had this situation happen to me before and felt like I should speak with a very close friend of my family and she just happen's to be an attorney. You know what she told me was that the contract we signed was a legal document, and is enforceable by law. (wow who would have thought) well anyway I am sure we all can work this out for the best interest of myself and the hospital. Should I let my attorney know that you are ready for us all to meet (smile)
Thanks for all of the reply's. I should say that getting my job back from first hospital is not a problem d/t my experience etc. I have been told by previous employer she is thrilled I want to come back. I will not be getting the exact job I left, it's been filled, but I will get a job. However, my concern is for the nurses that they have already done this to (know there are others for a fact) and those they will do it to in the future if nothing is done. Someone has to step up and do something don't you think? Others that have had this done to them by this hospital have not wanted to/been able to step up d/t finances, fear of being fired (those that did try were fired for inane reasons). I feel that if I don't try to do something about this, I would be letting down the nursing profession as a whole. As nurses, we are expected to treat our fellow workers and patient populations with respect, empathy, and caring. Should we except less for ourselves?
Sophie12
You, Sophie, are a TRUE hero!!! Kudos
(I am very pleased to hear you will be getting your old job back!)
Following an interview I was immediately offered the position (as a staff nurse) and accepted it.
I gave notice of many weeks to the first hospital. On the SECOND day of employment (morning of the first night position I was to work) I received a call from nurse recruiter stating there were two problems - 1) the hourly rate she gave me was too high, and I was going to have to take a substantial reduction - sorry, her fault, but nothing she could do about it since this is a union hospital.
Stated that she had "just" caught this. Please realize that this number would have been looked at my many many eyes prior to it being offered, and that I spoke with this woman on 6 separate occasions prior to my start date, and again on my start date. The second was a discrepancy in the payout of the sign on bonus - it was originally quoted as in two dispursements, then in the written offer letter it was in quarters. I spoke to her about this and she had stated it was a mistake, and changed it back to two dispursements (she rewrote it and we both signed). On SECOND day of employment she stated it was supposed to have been in quarters (now forth time it was changed). I informed her we had already signed the contract on the sign on bonus, and that I WOULD NOT have come to this hospital at the hourly rate she was now telling me I would have to accept. :nono:I have since found out that I am not the first nurse this hospital has done this to (suspected it, and then had it confirmed by extremely reliable source). They have an extremely difficult time getting nurses d/t location (and hiring practice????). Has anyone else had this happen to them?? If so, did you pursue recourse on the hospital or let it go and accept the lower wage scale? I resigned and am seriously considering pursuing this - especially to stop this from ever happening to any other nurse coming to this hospital!!!! Many nurses coming here would have no option but to accept the lower wage d/t relocation to accept the position in the first place.
Ahhphoey
370 Posts
I would not pursue this, personally. I mean would you really want to work for a hospital that has already given you this impression? Despite the amount of money, if you cannot trust your employer will follow through on even written promises/contracts, what's the use of working there. I don't know if there is a lack of communication or simply shady business practices, but in reality, you'll never know when they're going to screw you over again.