What would you do?

[LucyStorm]

It's a long story, but I will try to keep it short.

I have been at my new job for 4 months. In the negotiations for the position was whether or not I would take "call" as I currently also have to work holidays and weekends. It was a sticking point, and the deal breaker for whether I would work there or not. So the clause about being on call was removed from the job description by virtue of being crossed out as an error, and the change being initialed by the HR person. I would also mention that I took a significant cut in salary in order not to be on call.

Now, 4 months down the line, they are trying to force me to carry a beeper and take on call.

What would you do?

 

[adamak]

My job requires me to carry a beeper too (national-wide reception, sucks). I understand.

I think you should go back to HR, and tell them exactly what you told them 4 months ago. You have already taken a cut by not carrying beeper, they should at least give you a raise if they're forcing you. On top of them, give them really good reasons. And I would put them on paper just so you have a record of the conversation. (Plus, if you write them down in a memo, then take it with you to talk with them, they'll take you a lot more serious). And maybe negotiate.
Does your job really require a pager? (Like if you're a doctor, I dont' think you can/should get out of it). But if it's IT people, they can work out something with you.

See what they say. Good luck.

 

[LucyStorm]

To answer your question: I am the equivalent of a head nurse. My title is unit manager at a long term care facility. There are other unit managers in the building at all times. Some of the senior management nurses who don't work nights, weekends, or holidays currently carry the beeper once every 5 weeks but don't want to do it anymore. I might mention that they also get paid 90 dollars a week to carry it, and extra if they have to come in.

For me, it is the principal of the thing. I took a job working holidays and weekends and took a salary cut equivalent to 20% of my previous salary specifically not to have to be on call anymore. They agreed to those terms and are now trying to back out of them.

 

[browneyes]

I'd point out that you took a cut in pay to NOT be on call.

 

[Blondie]

Sounds like the hospital I work at Bonnie!

Here's what recently happened to an L&D nurse.....she is a single mom with 5 kids under the age of 10. She transferred from OB to L&D (L&D was in dire need of nurses at the time) with the understanding that they wouldn't make her take call due to the fact that it would be hard for her to find childcare at the last minute.

She's gotten by without having to take call for well over a year now, but one of the new hires has complained and they are now forcing her to take call.

She is transferring back to OB where they don't have to take call.

I hope it all works out for you! Definitely mention that you took a cut in pay to be w/o the call obligation, maybe they'll make an exception.

 

[Disney Doll]

If you took the position, with a pay cut, in order not to have call, and it's in your job description(which I assume you have a copy of), then bring that copy of the job description to HR, your manager, whomever is raising the call issue, and explain to them,again,the circumstances of your hire.