Hey, is this legal??

[Destiny]

I just started a new job and for the next month I work every Friday from 4pm-midnight then on Saturday mornings from 7am-3pm ... that's only 7 hrs between shifts, so by the time I get home, make something to eat, eat it and shower and fall asleep it's almost 2:30 am then I have to get up @ 5:30 am to get up get ready for work (stop @ Timmies) and get to work .. that's only 3hrs of sleep.. I did it this past fri-sat and was like a zombie for my whole Sat. shift.. which is not good considering I'm a nurse and give out meds to patients (I have to be on top of my game, cause if I mess up and give to the wrong person.. well u know) .. the thing is I don't want to complain because I just started the job last week, and i want to keep face with my new co-workers (and I can't afford to lose the job I have kids, rent, bills, car payments, car insurance and a $18,000 student loan to pay off)


Is this legal? and what should I do????

[Naomi]

Best to look up the labour laws for your province. You are human and need to sleep.

Ask your supervisor if you can drop a shift or switch with someone else first.

[zixxi]

unfortunatley its not illegal a worker can be asked to work two 8 hr shifts as long as proper breaks are given,,so sorry

[lynnmm]

you are entitled to get 8 hours between shifts so technically the first hour of sat is overtime but its not worth drawing attention to yourself for it. try a shift exchange for saturday with someone who is 3 to 11

[crackercrumb]

yeah it's not legal. like lynnm said, you have to have 8 hours between each scheduled shift. i'd explain it to the supervisor & see if (s)he could work something out.. so i'd get at least more than 3 hours of sleep...

[mrmick]

Ask the CNO and your provinces nursing association about this. they may want to know. you need adequate rest when it comes to dispensing medications and being in charge of other people's lives.
im pretty sure that they cant do this when it comes to patient care. talk to the union rep too if there is any. canada has strict rules about client care.

[cindylee137]

I believe in BC,,,there must be 8hrs between your shifts

[Shandon00]

They may not even realize that your shifts are so close together. Id ask. Good luck!

[Destiny]

thx guys!!! for this weekend anyways, I traded my Saturday 7am-3pm with a girl for the 11pm-7am shift.. because she has 2 jobs and was scheduled @ both for the same shift and I mentioned to the girl who does the scheduling how tired I was last time I did the 7hrs between shifts, so hopefully she took the hint ...
I don't have a supervisor.. I am the supervisor (when I'm on), the only one above me is the owner/director of care, and he's never in... and I don't want to mention it to him, cause I just started and don't want to get anyone in trouble or step on anyone's toes.. so I'll just try to trade my Saturday shifts for the rest of the month, and hopefully the next months schedule is a little better

[sherbear]

8 hours between shifts here in ontario as well. BUT I agree its not worth complaining unless your health becomes an issue of course. No job is worth your health.

Try managing your time better between the two shifts. Make a meal before work and heat it up when you get home. Have a quick shower or just wash up and shower in the morning.

When I used to work 10-14 hour shifts, 6 days a week, I loved every minute of sleep I could get. Between trying to have a social life, and the standard drinks after work, I usually slept 5 hours a day, and then crashed on my one day off. lol Best thing to do is manage your time more efficiently.

And if something illegal, and your employer knows it, and your employer knows that you know it's illegal, the better you get compensated.. like not getting overtime for me = free drinks, free food, and a pass to being lately. Which I liked more since I don't have to make up crappy excuses on why I'm late, I drink like a fish, and I eat like a pig. lol I miss my job