Very Frustrated!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Ortho, ED.

I was just curious if anyone else is dealing with this issue...

I work in a small-medium facility that is having staffing issues. My unit is a closed unit(no one floats in or out) that is having problems with productivity and as such isn't allowed to fill positions that have been vacated. To fill core staffing, we have been picking up extra shifts and have been told that when we pick up these shifts, it will be paid at time and a half as an incentive.

I picked up some extra shifts, but when I looked at my last paycheck, I didn't receive my incentive pay, just the overtime. When I brought it to my manager's attention, my director got involved and stated that we only got incentive pay, or overtime, not both. Called it "double dipping". I told her that wasn't right and if that was the case, there is no incentive to pick up the extra shifts. She said it was the overtime that was the incentive. I pointed out that in the past we had been getting paid the incentive pay, then the overtime when we were above 40 hours for the week. She discouraged me from talking to HR about it, because if I did, then finance "would look into everyone's paychecks and take back the money they shouldn't have paid." So as a full time employee, I don't get the incentive for the full shift. Roughly 4 hours of "incentive" pay, the last 7.5 hours as overtime (we won't even get into the clocking out as having had a lunch break when we didn't issue). Basically, only people that work less than 72 hrs a pay period will get the incentive pay.

And as a bonus, apparently "on call" pay has been restricted as well. If a person gets flexed off for low census and expected to remain on call for the duration of the scheduled shift, they are doing so on their own dime. No more $2/hr to remain on call. Our area is not one of the approved on call areas like cath lab or OR. Not that 2 dollars is going to make or break me, but that's not the point. I don't like feeling like management doesn't value me as an employee or my time. I'm not entirely sure this is legal on either issue. Just curious what other people's take is on these issues.

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Specializes in Primary Care, LTC, Private Duty.

If you can, vote with your feet.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
1 hour ago, cretin said:

I don't like feeling like management doesn't value me as an employee or my time.

In a lot of circumstances, we are merely a means to an end.

"My happiness is not a result of what others do or say or what happens around me. My happiness is a result of being at peace with myself."

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

Your employer and manager sound like serious ***holes. The staff isn't productive enough?? I'd be angry and looking to leave.

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Specializes in Ortho, ED.

I appreciate the feedback thus far. Leaving isn't really an option. There isn't a lot of competition around, which is why I think things have gotten to where they have. As for productivity, I have no idea who came up with specific numbers for a quota that we have to meet. But it is what it is. I just can't fathom management staff thinking it is ok to say incentive is the same as overtime, when it clearly isn't. Then looking at me like I'm the dense one for not seeing it their way. If you want my time, pay me what you said you would. Otherwise, good luck with staff picking up extra shifts.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
10 hours ago, cretin said:

If you want my time, pay me what you said you would. Otherwise, good luck with staff picking up extra shifts.

I think that's your answer. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

I would not be picking up extra shifts. If possible, I would look for a per diem position elsewhere for any extra time. Good luck.

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14 hours ago, cretin said:

She discouraged me from talking to HR about it, because if I did, then finance "would look into everyone's paychecks and take back the money they shouldn't have paid."

? LOL - and did she expect you to wear a "stupid" sign, too? May the gods frown upon her!

Get out of there; you have to at least look elsewhere. These people are digging a very big hole whether they know it yet or not.

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Losing a few hours of incentive pay sounds like a fair price to pay for the information that your boss is a crook and will not deal fairly with you.

Look for another employer. Even if your boss doesn't personally burn you again, running a unit like that doesn't work long term, and it's going to get worse before it gets better, if it ever gets better.

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
22 hours ago, cretin said:

I appreciate the feedback thus far. Leaving isn't really an option. There isn't a lot of competition around, which is why I think things have gotten to where they have. As for productivity, I have no idea who came up with specific numbers for a quota that we have to meet. But it is what it is. I just can't fathom management staff thinking it is ok to say incentive is the same as overtime, when it clearly isn't. Then looking at me like I'm the dense one for not seeing it their way. If you want my time, pay me what you said you would. Otherwise, good luck with staff picking up extra shifts.

Someone will pick those shifts up. There are always those few at every job that constantly want overtime. So I doubt it'll make any difference to your boss if you work them or not. Can't you see that your boss is a liar and manipulator? I guarantee she'll be getting her bonus

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Stop picking up extra shifts. It isn't mandated. I don't know if leaving is the answer. You may run into a place that is worse than this one. All places have some shart you have to deal with and if the picking up shifts is your only issue, stay put for now.

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Specializes in Ortho, ED.
On 3/1/2019 at 11:12 PM, Workitinurfava said:

Stop picking up extra shifts. It isn't mandated. I don't know if leaving is the answer. You may run into a place that is worse than this one. All places have some shart you have to deal with and if the picking up shifts is your only issue, stay put for now.

For now it isn’t mandated, true. But in other areas of my facility, staff are required to pick up one extra shift per 6 week schedule due to short staffing. My unit has been pretty good about filling out own open slots. People are getting burned out. EVERYONE has been picking up extra shifts to cover the openings from staff that have left, but we aren’t able to rehire for (due to productivity). I honestly don’t think it’s my direct supervisor that the problem lies with. I think it’s the company in general.

I really do like my job, and love the people I work with. Just don’t love the treatment from “above”. Every time someone complains about some ridiculous changes, we always hear “it’s not our decision, it’s coming from the mothership”. I don’t think the mothership cares much about the minions.

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