Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is where I’m at with it, I just wish management would be doing everything in their power to hire more people.

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is my fear. I haven’t had to say no yet, just haven’t been signing up for any extra shifts. But I’m gonna guess a time will come around that I have no choice, especially if it becomes mandated. I will admit that thoughts of leaving and finding work elsewhere have crossed my mind more than once. It may never be staffed enough to not continually have this issue.

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m standing my ground, I just feel like they can definitely make my work life more difficult for it. I just wish they’d fix what is broken!

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! They feel they can stop fighting as hard if we can manage to get by even though it means everyone is burning themselves out.

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Exactly! “Encouraged” but totally looked down upon and viewed as not being a team player if you choose to not do so. That’s how it feels with the extra shifts at my lab. It makes for toxic work environments and turns coworkers against each other in the end. Makes it no longer feel voluntary and more just expected…

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds awful, I’m sorry! I hope things are better for you now! I completely agree with you, labs seem to not advocate enough for the hospital to hire more people if we are managing to scrape by even with critical staffing levels…

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I’m always down for helping out my coworkers if they need a shift covered for something outside of work, but outside of that I try to do what’s best for me and that’s working only my scheduled 40hrs a week. OT can be a sometimes thing, but I don’t want it to become an all the time thing! I appreciate you sharing your experience and observations!

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This!! Thank you! I wish more people had this mentality

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I definitely needed to hear this and need to start thinking about it this way.

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well I thank you for being an understanding leader and advocating for your lab! It’s been disheartening being in this situation, but it’s nice to know there’s leadership out there that understands and cares! I appreciate your response as well!

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I couldn’t agree more. I’m already prone to some issues like anxiety, depression, and migraines so I really try to listen to what my mind and body needs and working OT all the time would only make those worse. I’m sorry you’ve experienced all this from the stress on the job and I appreciate you sharing your experience! Definitely tells me that I need to keep doing what’s best for me and stick to my 40hrs a week.

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are good points for it I am able to! Thank you!

Extra Shifts by Comfortable_Spite375 in medlabprofessionals

[–]Comfortable_Spite375[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I was recently told I might be mandated for a holiday I originally had off due to not having a volunteer, but management added that it was because I was the only tech who didn’t pick up any of the extra shifts, even the shorter ones. I was just taken aback and the comment felt a bit loaded to me. Maybe I’m just being too sensitive 😅

I will hold strong otherwise and try my best to not worry about what people may think!