When calling in are you asked "what's wrong with you"

LynnLRN · May 8, 2012

I never bothered to ask why people were calling if. If anything just say you have a stomach bug, or a sick family member or something

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · May 8, 2012

I always say for personal reasons, even though I have used mental health day. :bugeyes:

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · May 8, 2012

We are not obliged to provide a reason. Since I have intermittent FMLA, I have to tell them if I want the sick call excused due to FMLA, otherwise, we are only asked if we want to use PTO. Occasionally a frustrated charge nurse will mention that you are the 3rd, 4th, 10th (whatever) person calling in for that shift. Like that's really going to change my mind about my illness!! I do generally volunteer the reason. One thing is that our unit won't let visitors in with a fever, so a nurse with a fever is not acceptable either (NICU). Now, don't let that fool you into thinking we have a more generous absence policy, it's pretty strict (hence my needing the protection of FMLA).

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · May 8, 2012

At all the hospital jobs I've had they've asked and I've told. I'm slightly surprised by the replies in here, I wonder if I'm the only one that tells their sups their symptoms when they call in. I've only ever called in for fever greater than 101, frequent loose stools, or kidney stone pain.

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

I rarely call in, so when they do, the supervisor does ask. She knows I don't call in sick unless I'm half dead. I'm not offended. It's a small facility and we ask because we care.

NayRN · May 8, 2012

we get a long pause.....

and then a sigh......

and then "did you find someone to cover your shift?"

It doesn't matter if your nose is dripping on people or your mother just died............

staffing is apparently our problem.

I understand, from a business point of view-and I usually feel guilty knowing my co-workers will work short.

But it is a job, and sometimes stuff happens. I earned the PTO, and I have a right to use it when needed.

And then they use it as part of the performance eval........

"you called in 6 times last year. That will decrease your raise from a max of $0.36 to $0.33 per hour."

Oh no, I'd better do better next year because that 3 cents is a huge incentive.

And then they call you in on a Tuesday because someone called in, and you come in to work because you want to help your fellow nurses, and the thought of some overtime pay dances in your head.

But then they call you off on Saturday because of slightly lower census, so you actually lose money because you don't get that weekend differential like you had planned.

Why can't we cover shifts anymore?!?!?!

But in other news, I got a bag of microwave popcorn in my nurse's day goodie bag! I think I will suggest that next year, in honor of nurse's day, coverage is provided for lunch breaks so that even if we are not able to attend the festivities, we will at least be able to enjoy an uninterrupted lunch break on this special day!

nurse2033, MSN, RN · May 8, 2012

The only time I ever called in I said "I won't be able to make it in to work tonight" and they didn't question it. Thank God- because I was two states away at the time :)

anotherone, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

people just call in and say, " i am sick", " my car won't work", " "family emergency" no one asks specifics on what type of sickness. none of their business imo. even if it is contagious, keep in mind plenty of people have highly contagious illnesses and ARE not symptomatic.

Sparrowhawk · May 8, 2012

You're having wild monkey sex with a werewolf you met during the supermoon........

And your HIPPA security doesnt exist.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

I'm calling into work for tomorrows shift. The House Sup (or whoever is in the office) asks "well whats wrong with you" Is that legal? Am I under any obligation to tell them so? Where's MY HIPPA protection?

First of all it's HIPAA not HIPPA......and no you don't have protection from HIPAA as there is not protect health information and record involved. If you volunteer the information you have given permission for how to know why you are sick. A HIPAA violation would be if you were seen in the ED and you called in sick and she went and looked at your ED record to see if you were lying. Now a violation has occurred.

Now, technically by law you do not have to "report" but laws vary state and there are laws that govern healthcare employees and communicable diseases. So, there is a line that can be drawn where an employee can assert a right to medical privacy. But if your facility has a policy governing your sick call procedure you must abide by the policy. They can also require a physician note to return if over a certain amount of time.

The reality is employees actually have very few "rights". To keep up good relations....make something up....tell them you have food poisioning and are vomiting. But I wouldn't go to the local night club or baseball game and get caught on camera.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

you're having wild monkey sex with a werewolf you met during the supermoon........
and your hippa security doesnt exist.

hipaa :banghead: health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996. obsessive i know :bugeyes:

loriangel14, RN · May 8, 2012

We don't have to give details but they want to know if we have vomiting, diarrhea,or a fever.Any of these and you are off work until you have been symptom free for 48 hours.