This is SUCH an issue, which isn't helped at all that the General Care Floors, ICU's, and PCA's, all have different "policies" regarding this issue. Recently our floor took it on, and although not much has changed, it has gotten somewhat better. Regardless, I think its a bunch of shit either which way. Most of my opinons is based on the night shift. Just for clarification.
Issues that we had include but not limited to: 1) Certian staff taking a break, and others don't. Which lead to other staff talking about each other behind his or her back. Breaks including "sleeping." 2) Older staff not supporting the unit council decision. 3) Lack of appropriate staff on the night shift to allow "breaks" to occur 4) Staff unclear about the appropriate time alloated 5) Float Staff being able to take up to an hour off the unit, where other staff were unable to take a "break".
The Bottom line: IT is REQUIRED by MINNESOTA LAW that an employee is allowed at LEAST 20 minutes away from the work area to have a meal, during a 8 hour shift. Fifteen minutes paid for every 4 hour worked. Therefore in a 12 hour shift...it comes to be about an hour, depending on how you add up the time. THAT's for 12 hours.
Yes, there is downtime during the night shift. However that "down" time isn't/shouldn't be concidered break, because if something happens, i.e. a call light, one has to respond.
Now hospital policy states that of course breaks are dependent on patient needs ect. Sometimes it is unsafe to leave 1 nurse for 8 patients. Totally unsafe. But whatever. Oh, and sleeping on the job, is totally against policy, but I so degress---
I don't give a shit what the reason, I deserve and by MN Law Require a break, according to the amount of time I work. If for some reason this isn't able to occure, I get paid for it. Bottom line. AND although it would be so micro-managed, management should at least have a handle on it.
ooooh and I'd love to see the day, MN labor force comes down to check it out, and realises that just isn't happening. Oh, and I bet those in management, ALWAYS get a decent amount of time for lunch.
and don't get me started on the food in the cafeteria at 0200 a.m. either.
*bows off the soap box*
p.s. one of the reasons I smoke, at least I know I'll get about a total of 30 minutes off of the floor, to at least have a smoke. But really, how healthy is that.
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timeasmymeasure
Give me a break----
Date: 2011-08-02 08:46 am (UTC)This is SUCH an issue, which isn't helped at all that the General Care Floors, ICU's, and PCA's, all have different "policies" regarding this issue. Recently our floor took it on, and although not much has changed, it has gotten somewhat better. Regardless, I think its a bunch of shit either which way. Most of my opinons is based on the night shift. Just for clarification.
Issues that we had include but not limited to:
1) Certian staff taking a break, and others don't. Which lead to other staff talking about each other behind his or her back. Breaks including "sleeping."
2) Older staff not supporting the unit council decision.
3) Lack of appropriate staff on the night shift to allow "breaks" to occur
4) Staff unclear about the appropriate time alloated
5) Float Staff being able to take up to an hour off the unit, where other staff were unable to take a "break".
The Bottom line: IT is REQUIRED by MINNESOTA LAW that an employee is allowed at LEAST 20 minutes away from the work area to have a meal, during a 8 hour shift. Fifteen minutes paid for every 4 hour worked. Therefore in a 12 hour shift...it comes to be about an hour, depending on how you add up the time. THAT's for 12 hours.
Yes, there is downtime during the night shift. However that "down" time isn't/shouldn't be concidered break, because if something happens, i.e. a call light, one has to respond.
Now hospital policy states that of course breaks are dependent on patient needs ect. Sometimes it is unsafe to leave 1 nurse for 8 patients. Totally unsafe. But whatever. Oh, and sleeping on the job, is totally against policy, but I so degress---
I don't give a shit what the reason, I deserve and by MN Law Require a break, according to the amount of time I work. If for some reason this isn't able to occure, I get paid for it. Bottom line. AND although it would be so micro-managed, management should at least have a handle on it.
ooooh and I'd love to see the day, MN labor force comes down to check it out, and realises that just isn't happening. Oh, and I bet those in management, ALWAYS get a decent amount of time for lunch.
and don't get me started on the food in the cafeteria at 0200 a.m. either.
*bows off the soap box*
p.s. one of the reasons I smoke, at least I know I'll get about a total of 30 minutes off of the floor, to at least have a smoke. But really, how healthy is that.