Yes, I think my job is in jeopardy. It's been a very rough day. Aside from the 75 people I saw in an 8 hour shift (busy for us), I was subjected to a "meeting" with my manager and supervisor so that I could be written up for absenteeism. I've missed a total of 6 days over recent months, all with a doctor's excuse and all related to complications with this pregnancy (recent leave notwithstanding). But I was set up for this most recent "absence" because it takes 6 at my hospital to be written up.
I was due back last week from leave, and went in on Monday for my annual evaluation (at which time I was given a raise and told that I was an excellent employee and did a wonderful job, and that they were looking forward to having me back - same manager
). When the eval was over she said "So you're coming back Friday right?" I told her I thought I would be released on Thursday, and she told me that Friday would be fine since she'd already covered my shifts for Thursday. My dr's excuse said I could come back Thursday, which I took to HR Thurs. morning. Today I was written up for being absent on Thursday, my 6th.
Now, I also looked up our hospital's policy on absences, and found that consecutive days (with a dr's note) for the same reason should count as only one absence. However, twice it has been the case that I missed 2 days in a row (or once it was a half day and the next day), all covered by a dr's excuse, yet these counted as 4 separate absences.
This meeting was not pretty, let me assure you, and I was quite lippy with my supervisor (she's the head cheese over my dept.) She asked me if I wanted to keep working there, and I assured her that if it came down to choosing between my job and the health of my child/children that there would be no choice and she would lose every time. She then got all flustered and said of course she wasn't saying ANYTHING about my taking time off as needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy, oh NOOOOO they wouldn't say anything about my pregnancy... but I haven't been absent for anything else! So long story short, if I miss one more day between now and next July, I no longer have a job there.
I'm in a real bind here, because I'm finishing up my RN (just a few more classes to go) and would like to have the opportunity to work in the same ER under a different dept. as an RN probably around next summer. However, if I get fired this will not be an option (duh). It's not the end of the world as there are other hospitals within driving distance, but this is the only one in THIS town that leaves me with virtually no commute, and that is handy. Plus it really is a nice place to work, I just have a boss that I don't get along with.
I really truly do see their point of view, as I know how tough it is to try to cover shifts when someone can't be there and calls off a lot. I said as much. I offered to put in a two week notice and let them replace me so as to preserve my reputation and not put them in a bind. She (the supervisor) promised not only to never rehire me but also to put it in my permanent record (yes she used those words, reminded me of middle school) that I was a problem employee who could not show up for work.
I am beyond upset. If I was just evaluated LAST WEEK and given a positive eval, a raise, and told what a terrific employee I am (by my manager but the supervisor had to sign off on it too) then how can I be such a menace this week? I don't know if I should bother going to HR seeing as how 2 of the absences shouldn't have been counted (consecutive days) and one of them I was set up for, putting me back at 3 and in no danger... or if they will find another reason to fire me if that's what they want. Or if I should just go ahead and give notice and quit this job and look to another hospital next year so that at least if they call for a reference from this one it won't be "Yeah, she was fired."
I like my job most of the time, and don't see my manager or supervisor on a daily (or even weekly) basis. However, the hours suck (especially during the school year) and it is definitely NOT an easy job. I don't make *that* much money (especially when you factor in child care, eating out, work clothes, etc.) and we would probably be fine on just dh's salary. BUT I carry the health insurance, and boy would it suck to be without that right now!
Well, think I'm off to sleep on it for a bit, I'm exhausted. What a stupid freaking Monday, huh?
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It's been a fun few weeks, though, and I think a much needed break. I have mixed emotions about it; I'd love to stay home, but then again, I do miss the actual adult conversations and such (not to mention the paycheck!) Three of the crew are off at their dad's for a few weeks and the house would be entirely too quiet anyway. It's hard to go from four kiddies to just one, and the little one doesn't know what to do with himself when they're not here. So with me working, he will spend a lot of time at Grandma's with my sister's four (my poor mom!) and maybe not be so lonely.
. My daughter loves the gorillas (I tend to agree with her, maybe that's the anthropologist in me?) and she and I sat there FOREVER while the boys went to see the rest of the primate world. 
!) and visit enough to make it worthwhile. It's not easy to find something that entertains a 10 year old, 5 year old, AND a 2 year old (and doesn't drive mom and dad crazy!).
