Published Feb 28, 2008
Lovely_RN, MSN
1,122 Posts
It's been 6 weeks since I have started working my first job at a LTC.
It seems to be the typical LTC: I work 3-11pm I am the charge nurse for 40 residents and I have 3 aides. I have a lot of schizophrenics and bipolar people on one hall and the rest are the typical geriatric mix.
The daytime nurse manager seems to hate me for no reason but I am at a point in my life where I could care less. She leaves around 5 anyway so I just avoid her for the first two hours of my shift which is easy because I am usually running around during that time anyway.
I am basically having a ho-hum experience at this place but I felt like oh well at least it's a steady pay check.
At least I felt that way until now.
When I started I was offered 3 weeks orientation and I only used up 2 weeks and 2 days of it before I was pushed onto the floor.
I was never told that my orientation pay would be held. I found that out after the 2nd week went by and I got NO money.
I spoke to the secretary in the NS office and then the DNS told me that they hold orientation pay for a little while because they tend to lose people after orientation.
Yeah I know how do you encourage people to stay by NOT paying them is beyond me. Anyway I was promised that I would get my money the next week...and I DIDN'T!!!
I was so livid they had to write me a hand check and it was only for one week instead of the three that they owed me.
I was already feeling pretty pissy about this but since my friend got me the job I didn't want to embarrass her by quitting.
Well guess what? I am now in my sixth week of working for this facility and they still owe me for one weeks orientation pay.
I was promised by the DNS last Thurs that I would be getting a nice big check this week.
I am owed two weeks pay and when I checked my direct deposit this AM I only had one weeks pay.
I am livid beyond belief.
It's one thing to put up with all of the work and the crap that goes on in LTC but to have people playing games with my money is a bit too much.
I am sitting here waiting for this woman to get into her office so that I can call and basically demand my money becuase I really need it and I am entitled to it.
I am so mad I can barely see straight.
Would this be enough to make you quit?
I signed on to work a double today and I am so livid I want to call off.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
It all depends. First of all, I don't like workplaces that play games with one's paycheck. People can toy around with other aspects of my life, but they better not mess around with my money. After all, we work too hard and deal with too many variables.
Is this job fairly low-stress? Do you enjoy other aspects of working at this place? Are there other workplaces in your area that will offer more of the same, but without the stupid stipulations regarding the orientation pay?
The pastures may be greener elsewhere. Then again, they may look the same.
I am pretty sure that most of the area LTCs are pretty much the same w/o the money BS.
People tell me that my floor is heavy but I feel O.K with the job. I have my days when I feel like the work will never be done but I don't let things get to me. I have a few residents from hell and the nurse manager belongs on a broom but it's like whatever. I know that I am new grad but I have worked so many jobs that I know that there is always going to be something that sucks about any job a person works at so things that might bug another new grad don't bug me very much.
It's just the money thing....I have this thing about being paid in full and on time.
I called the NS office and of course the DNS was unavailable (how convenient) and the secretary apologized and gave me a line about how the money is going to be deposited into my account NEXT week (ummm hmmm whatever because they have been saying that for WEEKS now).
What bugs me the most is that THEY are the ones who said I was going to finally be paid for the remaining five days orientation pay that was owed to me last week. Those words came out of the mouth of the DNS and we were all in front of the computer looking at how many days I was owed. So to me I feel like a promise was made and that it was broken. I give them my word that I will come to work on X,Y,Z day and I do what I say I will so they should do the same....pay me when you say you will.
Anyway, now that I have calmed down a bit I can say that I will not quit until I have found something else. I think that I am going to apply to work pier-diem at another facility to test the waters before I jump ship. No sense in jumping out of the frying pan into the fire but boy did they make me mad today.
It all depends. First of all, I don't like workplaces that play games with one's paycheck. People can toy around with other aspects of my life, but they better not mess around with my money. After all, we work too hard and deal with too many variables.Is this job fairly low-stress? Do you enjoy other aspects of working at this place? Are there other workplaces in your area that will offer more of the same, but without the stupid stipulations regarding the orientation pay?The pastures may be greener elsewhere. Then again, they may look the same.
proud2b1
125 Posts
It's been 6 weeks since I have started working my first job at a LTC. It seems to be the typical LTC: I work 3-11pm I am the charge nurse for 40 residents and I have 3 aides. I have a lot of schizophrenics and bipolar people on one hall and the rest are the typical geriatric mix. The daytime nurse manager seems to hate me for no reason but I am at a point in my life where I could care less. She leaves around 5 anyway so I just avoid her for the first two hours of my shift which is easy because I am usually running around during that time anyway.I am basically having a ho-hum experience at this place but I felt like oh well at least it's a steady pay check. At least I felt that way until now. When I started I was offered 3 weeks orientation and I only used up 2 weeks and 2 days of it before I was pushed onto the floor. I was never told that my orientation pay would be held. I found that out after the 2nd week went by and I got NO money. I spoke to the secretary in the NS office and then the DNS told me that they hold orientation pay for a little while because they tend to lose people after orientation. Yeah I know how do you encourage people to stay by NOT paying them is beyond me. Anyway I was promised that I would get my money the next week...and I DIDN'T!!!I was so livid they had to write me a hand check and it was only for one week instead of the three that they owed me. I was already feeling pretty pissy about this but since my friend got me the job I didn't want to embarrass her by quitting. Well guess what? I am now in my sixth week of working for this facility and they still owe me for one weeks orientation pay. I was promised by the DNS last Thurs that I would be getting a nice big check this week. I am owed two weeks pay and when I checked my direct deposit this AM I only had one weeks pay. I am livid beyond belief. It's one thing to put up with all of the work and the crap that goes on in LTC but to have people playing games with my money is a bit too much. I am sitting here waiting for this woman to get into her office so that I can call and basically demand my money becuase I really need it and I am entitled to it. I am so mad I can barely see straight. Would this be enough to make you quit? I signed on to work a double today and I am so livid I want to call off.
dont do the double.call the labor board and tell them you have.they couldve cut you a direct check from the get go.I have had mine fedxed to my home.Get out,if thet are like this,I bet there annuals are about the same!:typing
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
I'm presently going through a similar situation with my current employer. They refuse to pay overtime and holiday pay and have stated they do this because they don't get the money from the payor. I was authorized to work a certain schedule back in Dec. and again in Jan., received a call in early Feb., saying that those hours were not authorized. My check was shorted the hours in question. I just got my next check where several shifts are missing. The payroll clerk had said that she was missing my time sheet and notes and asked me to give her the info over the phone. She never called me back to request copies of everything so I just supposed that she was able to find the missing paperwork. Then, in a conversation with the administrator, I am told that my pay was withheld, not because of missing paperwork, but because they were missing the paperwork authorizing the hours I was working. All of this AFTER I have already worked the shifts. I was assured I would be paid. I am looking for a new employer. I don't care to have to go to the labor board to get my pay. Reputable agencies settle discrepancies quickly and in a fair manner. They don't hold pay to punish an employee or play games with the pay of their employees.
kat7ap
526 Posts
Wow, I believe in most states it is illegal to withhold pay from an employee like that! I would be outraged too! If they don't pay you soon, I would get in contact with your state labor board. I have had to do that a couple times myself (not related to nursing jobs though) and in one instance got my paycheck within a few days. The other time was for my husband after we moved and he quit a job they never paid him, the process took a couple months and they had to investigate because the employer lied about it but we ended up getting our money. Something like this we certainly make me consider quitting but I guess it would depend on the other aspects of the job.
RN BSN 2009
1,289 Posts
they're just going to see how far they can push you and try it again later!!!
eldragon
421 Posts
I think the situation stinks.
To not pay you after you work the shifts, is criminal.
Nobody orientates for free. That's called free labor, and nobody would do that.
I'd demand every red cent now.
And if you get all you're owed, and like the job, stay there. If they don't pay you - leave. Don't back down on pay.
KaroSnowQueen, RN
960 Posts
Check to see if they have a WRITTEN policy on withholding the orientation pay. Chances are they don't. I don't know about your state but in mine, they HAVE to give you your money within 10 working days of the time you request it. And I believe that time is long past. Call your lawyer and have him request the money and see how quick you get it!!! DO NOT back down on this. They may get p***ed off and threaten to fire you, but is that REALLY a big loss? This place is a big joke. I wonder WHY they think they tend to lose people????
travel soon
108 Posts
I know this post comes a little late but I don't have a lot of time as I guess none of us do, but hey I'm here now.
I worked in LTC for 19 yrs. before going back for my RN and as someone else said all u need to do is pick up the phone and call the Labor Board. That is all u will need to do and everything else will be taken care of. Good Luck to U.