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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
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I'm a staff RN in a large med center; we used to be able to go home when work was slow, with or without using our PTO (paid time off, vacation time, etc).
Recently, we are being "forced" to go home "
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Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » ? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 11/21/2008 11:46 AM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 11/21/2008 Last: 1/14/2009 |
I'm a staff RN in a large med center; we used to be able to go home when work was slow, with or without using our PTO (paid time off, vacation time, etc).
Recently, we are being "forced" to go home "low-census" and there is no longer option; we MUST use up vacation time... No one can answer the question why/how this benefits the med center; are they avoiding the add'l 3-4% the earnings might be in a year from now? Is the "bank" of accrued time somehow costing the med center money? We just want to know the nuts/bolts as to why; This is definitely having an impact on morale; you might guess that as our earnings are pooled (vacation, sick, major holiday), we're not sure if it's possible to not be able to have either vacation, sick or major holiday in the future, because we're being required to use that time up now, that we have banked.... if the illness actually comes up next year, & my time has been depleted? Would certainly appreciate an educated explanantion. I'm in Arizona... Thanks in advance!! Jeff |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 11/21/2008 12:06 PM EST
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Your employer could better answer that. While I have personally seen it done and understood the economics behind eliminating a future (current) financial liability) there are many other reasons for doing it. I would encourage you to ask your ledership for a better explanation. |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 11/21/2008 5:24 PM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 11/21/2008 Last: 1/14/2009 |
Thanks for your reply; several of us are in the process of asking, but seemingly no one can, or is willing to answer us,
part of our concern, is it some sort of knee-jerk reaction to tuff times? I have seen this exact situation in years past at other institutions; seems like when times get tough, this is the reaction... Just can't seem to get a "real" answer from our bosses.... |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 11/22/2008 7:56 PM EST
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Posts: 5
First: 11/21/2008 Last: 1/14/2009 |
Thanks NORK3, thanks for the reply!
Now, I understand what you've said; let me ask this: is the reduction of "future" debt/liability outweigh the actual current payout? I mean, if the staff is sent home 4 hours early in a given week, & option is for 4 hours off without pay, isn't the company in effect "saving" 4 hours of current expense/outlay? vs depleting the company's assets (I know, accrued PTO is liability, not asset...) So, I'm wondering why they would opt to force the payout of the 4 hours of accrued time, when that is/would be a "future" (if accrual method used??) expense; as opposed to merely not expending any funds at all? (hope I've expressed my thoughts clearly...) It seems to me that "actualy payment" of the 4 hours of PTO, vs "continuing to hold the already accrued 'liability'" makes the "actual" expenditure an immediate loss of cash, vs continuing to hold a "liability" - which in my mind is not worth the current loss of funds from the co's til.... (*obvious* please note I'm not an accountant he he he) Thanks again for your considerations.... Jeff |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 11/23/2008 1:37 PM EST
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Depends upon how it is accrued and used. If it is accrued and paid as cash, at its present value, all the employer is doing is reducing the debt NOW at current prices. If it is accrued and used at whatever the future value of the rate is (in other words as your pay increases the PTO bank debt increases accordingly) then the employer is reducing BOTH a current debt and any future appreciation.
Another way of looking at it is that your employer provides PTO as a benefit that they expect you to use and not bankroll. Consequently, using it as a salary continuation tool meets its intended purpose too. |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 12/22/2008 11:14 AM EST
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Posts: 217
First: 3/22/2005 Last: 8/29/2011 |
Having worked in healthcare for a number of years a few years ago, this was an absolute practice and very common in the industry. I'm surprised it took this long for it to catch up to your organization. California wage and hour required we pay 4 hours of reporting pay, but the rest of the shift had to use PTO or go unpaid. Managers watched their census like a hawk and managed their schedules appropriately or the CFO of the hospital did it for them. The practice is intended to reduce current and future liability. |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 12/23/2008 5:10 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/23/2008 Last: 12/23/2008 |
By forcing you to use your PTO now when times are slow, the company will ensure that you will be available when things pick up in the future (less PTO available to schedule.) |
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? Forced use of paid-time-off benefitting my employer?
posted at 12/23/2008 6:19 AM EST
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Posts: 3
First: 12/23/2008 Last: 3/8/2011 |
When I worked in a lab at a large medical center our productivity was measured only on paid worked hours. For example if I worked 4 hours and ran 100 tests, i was doing 25 tests/hr but if I ran all 100 tests in 2 hours and took PTO the other two hours, my productivity was 50 tests/hr. |
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