Hourly vs. Salary

[Gailete]

That's one thing I miss since I switched jobs. We don't get any breaks. We have to squeeze in food whenever we have a free moment but there's no actual break. On a busy 12-hour shift (or even a busy 8-hour shift) I may not have any time to actually sit down and eat. I usually just have to grab stuff between patients.

So sad that a position that supposedly supports good health, doesn't make sure it's employees get appropriate breaks as it is important for many of the reaons that you know about very much.

I remember my first day at a new job that started at 7AM and finally at around 1:30PM I asked when lunch was. The nurse orienting me said she never had time for a break and never took one. Then and there I decided if I didn't at least get my lunch break of half an hour, I wouldn't be there for long. I always got my break.

[snafu]

Starry, the person you describe is a bully who has been very successful with her neurotic behaviour for a long time. It delivers the results she wants.

I used to teach course called 'Coping Effectively with Difficult People.' There are several coping tactics so I suggest you arm yourself with a few techniques. Check your library for various books on the topic of Coping with difficult colleagues. You will need to be flexible depending on the behaviour exhibited at each encounter.

[james.hendrickson]

Starry, the person you describe is a bully who has been very successful with her neurotic behaviour for a long time. It delivers the results she wants.

I used to teach course called 'Coping Effectively with Difficult People.' There are several coping tactics so I suggest you arm yourself with a few techniques. Check your library for various books on the topic of Coping with difficult colleagues. You will need to be flexible depending on the behaviour exhibited at each encounter.

It blows my mind that responsible people in authority don't identify this behavior and eliminate it. Bullying undermines the healthy workforce dynamic that people need to be successful in their careers.

[disneysteve]

I thought if you worked over 6 hours that they are required to give you some kind of break?

We are free to stop and eat whenever we'd like. We just don't get an actual scheduled or timed break.

My site is open 9am-9pm. I work there as the only provider during my 12-hour shift. So when I stop to eat, which I virtually always do, no patients are getting seen. They're waiting for me to finish and get back to work. I try to wait until there's a lull in the action so I don't keep people waiting, partly because a piece of my compensation is based on turnaround times. So if I'm always keeping people waiting so I can enjoy a meal, that messes with my times.

It's not so bad most days but there are days when it really gets crazy. I just make sure to always have a stock of healthy stuff that I can eat quickly - fruit, yogurt, protein bars, nuts, etc.

[Starry436]

Starry, the person you describe is a bully who has been very successful with her neurotic behaviour for a long time. It delivers the results she wants.

I used to teach course called 'Coping Effectively with Difficult People.' There are several coping tactics so I suggest you arm yourself with a few techniques. Check your library for various books on the topic of Coping with difficult colleagues. You will need to be flexible depending on the behaviour exhibited at each encounter.

I'm going to look into this, thanks.
They are an absolute bully. We've all had several complaints against her but the boss is not a true leader and therefore does not do well with conflict so our concerns are ignored, and excuses are made for the behavior and they continue to let this person rage through the office every single day. The position she's in could easily be replaced, it's an entry level job at best but this lady has been in it for 10+ years there. I am serious when I say this lady has a personal problem with everyone and every step or move you make. She's never pleased, ever. They believe that they are truly perfect, mistake less and you should treat them with authority. Boss knows how this person is yet they let the behavior continue and it is 100% bringing the cohesiveness and motivation of the office down. I can't help but to sense pure vindictive, jealous and hateful vibes from her so I avoid them as much as I can aside from work related issues and now they are mad at me because I avoid small talk with them. They bash me to other coworkers and have no valid reason to, other than jealousy over something pathetic. She always think people are talking about her when really it's her talking about everyone else. She's always looking at how to get ahead of you and twist things so that she always looks perfect. I could go on and on. And so, I don't know how I could ever see myself wanting to work here long term because of this person alone, along with other factors. Had I been able to read into them a few years ago I would have hit the door running.

[Starry436]

We are free to stop and eat whenever we'd like. We just don't get an actual scheduled or timed break.

My site is open 9am-9pm. I work there as the only provider during my 12-hour shift. So when I stop to eat, which I virtually always do, no patients are getting seen. They're waiting for me to finish and get back to work. I try to wait until there's a lull in the action so I don't keep people waiting, partly because a piece of my compensation is based on turnaround times. So if I'm always keeping people waiting so I can enjoy a meal, that messes with my times.

It's not so bad most days but there are days when it really gets crazy. I just make sure to always have a stock of healthy stuff that I can eat quickly - fruit, yogurt, protein bars, nuts, etc.

Oh I see, seems like they could leave open a 20-30 min block of time from scheduling so that you could have a dedicated break. I guess the 12 hours probably does fly by if you're running that whole time seeing patients. I know several nurses who say they barely have time to even go to the restroom due to under staffing/scheduling a lot of the times, let alone stop to eat an actual meal and not just like a pack of crackers or something.

[terri77]

I'm going to look into this, thanks.
They are an absolute bully. We've all had several complaints against her but the boss is not a true leader and therefore does not do well with conflict so our concerns are ignored, and excuses are made for the behavior and they continue to let this person rage through the office every single day. The position she's in could easily be replaced, it's an entry level job at best but this lady has been in it for 10+ years there. I am serious when I say this lady has a personal problem with everyone and every step or move you make. She's never pleased, ever. They believe that they are truly perfect, mistake less and you should treat them with authority. Boss knows how this person is yet they let the behavior continue and it is 100% bringing the cohesiveness and motivation of the office down. I can't help but to sense pure vindictive, jealous and hateful vibes from her so I avoid them as much as I can aside from work related issues and now they are mad at me because I avoid small talk with them. They bash me to other coworkers and have no valid reason to, other than jealousy over something pathetic. She always think people are talking about her when really it's her talking about everyone else. She's always looking at how to get ahead of you and twist things so that she always looks perfect. I could go on and on. And so, I don't know how I could ever see myself wanting to work here long term because of this person alone, along with other factors. Had I been able to read into them a few years ago I would have hit the door running.

Do you work in government or in the private sector?

[Starry436]

Do you work in government or in the private sector?

Not government, local business

[disneysteve]

Oh I see, seems like they could leave open a 20-30 min block of time from scheduling so that you could have a dedicated break.

There is no scheduling. It's an urgent care center. It's all walk-in business. We can't block out time.

[Gailete]

Oh I see, seems like they could leave open a 20-30 min block of time from scheduling so that you could have a dedicated break. I guess the 12 hours probably does fly by if you're running that whole time seeing patients. I know several nurses who say they barely have time to even go to the restroom due to under staffing/scheduling a lot of the times, let alone stop to eat an actual meal and not just like a pack of crackers or something.

When I was still working as a floor nurse there would be times that some of us literally would have liked to have a catheter and a collection bag. It was almost impossible to find time to get to the bathroom. Especially when working critical care floors where time is of the essence.

I do feel bad though now when I am on the other side of the fence to see what health 'care' has become. From what was part of my training to how they do things currently is abysmmal at times. Like the time I was in the ER with a kidney stone. The nurse walked in and discharged me while I was actively upchucking! I had been trained that a person would never be discharged until they are stable and someone vomiting isn't 'stable'.

[Stallion21]

I thought if you worked over 6 hours that they are required to give you some kind of break? Even if it's 15 mins?

Yes, otherwise it is a really huge violation.
On the topic, I do prefer hourly much more.

[~bs]

Yeah. It depends on the states regulations. But generally yes. Maybe even a 30 minute lunch break is the minimum regulation, not sure