Nurse 37.5 hr week, 11.5 hr shifts, rostering problem

kmac84

I work as a nurse. My contract is for 37.5 hours per week. \

My shift pattern is 12.5 hour shift (11.5 paid). I work 3 shifts per week, plus one 4 day week in every 4 week period.

So 13 x 11.5 shifts in 4 weeks = 149.5 hours.

BUT 37.5 x 4 = 150 hours.

My employer is saying that I owe them 0.5 hour for every 4 week period I work, backdating this for last 3 years. So I now 'owe' nearly 20 hours.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Surely they have been rostering the shifts for last 3 years knowing that there is this 0.5 hour 'short' each month? Should they not have been rostering an extra half hour on to shifts?

I have check my contract but cannot find anything specific to what reference period is to be used for shift (Eg: 4 week period, annualised etc) or how these extra hours owed can be worked (eg: use for mandatory training? subtracted from annual leave? worked as whole shifts?).

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

fraserbooks

When I worked as a nurse I had a similar problem but we used the extra hours for training, staff meetings and so forth. We also had several occasions when there was some sort of crisis at the end of the shift and we had to work late. I think they should have realised the problem a lot sooner. I suggest a word with your union. I think the RCN would be interested.

clairec79

That happens with us too - once a month you do a 6 hour make up shift

Some people use annual leave for this

However if you are short one month (we get it when in a mix of night and day shifts - I don't do the long shifts) it's up to you to ensure you cover those hours and evidence them - ideally within the same month, but can carry them over slightly

kmac84

I called the RCN today and they said to call HR, which I will do tomorrow.

I was just curious what other trusts do. Seeing as it is only half an hour each month it seems as if it would only be one short shift a year to work back.

I am also curious as my understanding was that our shirts were signed off electronially by management now, and so we are paid for the actual shifts worked. But will see what HR say tomorrow.

Thanks for your replies.

Sncjw

Do you ever stay a bit later to help a situation. I’d be surprised if you get out on time every time

kmac84

Often stay later or come in early and end up helping before shift starts by checking drugs etc, they say that it not 'official' time. So I am going to start keeping a record of it from now on.

t0rt0ise

kmac84 wrote: »

Often stay later or come in early and end up helping before shift starts by checking drugs etc, they say that it not 'official' time. So I am going to start keeping a record of it from now on.

Keeping a record of it won't make it official. Only if they have given permission for overtime either just before you do it or on a blanket basis will you get paid for it.

kmac84

Aaaahh good time know. I am going to look at HR policy tonight and phone them tmo if I cannot find a clear answer. I feel that the hours should be used for training, and that people should be made aware of the issue sooner than 3 years into contract.

getmore4less

kmac84 wrote: »

Often stay later or come in early and end up helping before shift starts by checking drugs etc, they say that it not 'official' time. So I am going to start keeping a record of it from now on.

What about breaks bet a few of those got worked.

Point out to your local management if they want to play by the rules they need to pay for breaks worked and any start/shift overruns etc.

0.5 hour every 4 weeks will look cheap when they have to start covering the time with proper shift overlaps and cover for breaks.

If you do the time claim it.