[KylieMin0gue]

So i drop the kids off at daycare at 6.30 this morning, both fit and well and go to work for a 7am start. I work at a nursing home as a carer, and we understandably are not allowed to carry our mobile phones on us whilst we are working.

At about 7.45am I run into one of the other carers and she tells me that the RN told her that 'some guy' had tried to call me. Now I never get personal calls whilst I am working so I was immediately worried. I go and find the RN to ask about the phone call that she took and she said that the 'guy' asked to speak to me, and she said that he couldn't as I was too busy with my residents. DP says that she was very off with him. (DP was calling to tell me that my 3 year old son had started vomiting at daycare, and he had banged his head yesterday so was concerned. Also DP worked an 11 hour night shift last night so would have struggled to care for him today.)

I immediately got upset with the RN and told her that I need to be given messages as I would not get a personal call unless there was an important reason, and that I have 2 young children. She told me that she was too busy to deal with personal phone calls.

Anyway I ring DP and find out what is going on, and tell the RN. She is somewhat apologetic (probably because I was in tears by this stage because of frustration and worry for my son), and said 'oh well you better go then', to which I said 'well I am'. I think she did feel bad for the way she spoke to both me and DP but I am so angry.
What if it had been a major emergency??
Would you take this matter further (ie to the CNC)?
If I had not run into the carer, I would not have been told about my son until I checked my phone on my break, which would have been 3 hours later as the RN refused to let DP speak to me.
Thanks

[ChunkyChook]

What did you DP say when he called?
If he just asked to speak to you and the RN said you were busy and he hung up then I understand. But if he called and said he was calling because you son was ill and needed to be picked up from daycare I would be furious.

[KylieMin0gue]

What did you DP say when he called?
If he just asked to speak to you and the RN said you were busy and he hung up then I understand. But if he called and said he was calling because you son was ill and needed to be picked up from daycare I would be furious.

DP didn't get chance to say that it was important as the RN said that I was too busy to take a phone call and then said bye and hung up the phone

[Madnesscraves]

What a cow. Does she have children?

Look, i'd let it go. But maybe speak to her and say you understand the reason for no mobiles on the floor as being a carer is important. However, If a call comes through at the desk for you, its not a social call. and that the only people with that number is your DP and childcare. if they are calling, its because it's an emergency. Not because they want to know if you're bringing home dinner.

OR, ask her what the policy is on calls coming through from the front desk. She is likely stressed too, trying to get everything done. it's a stressful job for anyone.

[Ally'smum]

Yes absolutely I would be furious, she didn't even have a chance to find out if it was something important.

Yes I would take it further, not just for you next time but for anyone else who got an important call. Sounds like she is on a bit of a power trip and needs to be brought back into line.

Also, why don't you keep your phone on you and leave it on silent? That way you would be contactable at all times.

This post has been edited by loggedin: 18/12/2012, 08:35 AM

[ekbaby]

Sorry to hear your DS is unwell

If it was me I wouldn't go in guns blazing and yelling but before starting your next shift I'd approach the RN and say "I know it's not appropriate to take the majority of personal calls at work but we need to have some kind of system in place where I can be contacted in an emergency. I have 2 children in daycare and if they are unwell the daycare needs to be able to contact me. What can we do about this?". Surely there must be other staff affected by this rule and they just need to have a procedure in place where the caller is asked if it is urgent and if it is they come get you? You can explain to your boss that you have told DH to only call you through the switchboard if its an emergency.

ETA: Instead of nitpicking about what did/didn't happen this time (ending up in a circular argumnet "he didn't tell me it was urgent!" etc) I mean to focus on the future and working out a solution in case the situation happens again

This post has been edited by ekbaby: 18/12/2012, 08:39 AM

[KylieMin0gue]

Yes absolutely I would be furious, she didn't even have a chance to find out if it was something important.

Yes I would take it further, not just for you next time but for anyone else who got an important call. Sounds like she is on a bit of a power trip and needs to be brought back into line.

Also, why don't you keep your phone on you and leave it on silent? That way you would be contactable at all times.

Company policy is that we are not even allowed to keep our phone on us. Has to be left in our bag on silent

[KylieMin0gue]

Sorry to hear your DS is unwell

If it was me I wouldn't go in guns blazing and yelling but before starting your next shift I'd approach the RN and say "I know it's not appropriate to take the majority of personal calls at work but we need to have some kind of system in place where I can be contacted in an emergency. I have 2 children in daycare and if they are unwell the daycare needs to be able to contact me. What can we do about this?". Surely there must be other staff affected by this rule and they just need to have a procedure in place where the caller is asked if it is urgent and if it is they come get you? You can explain to your boss that you have told DH to only call you through the switchboard if its an emergency.

I basically told her this after I had spoken to DP. I said I don't receive personal calls whilst working, and that if someone does call me then it is important.
I think she was also annoyed with me as I went home sick on my last shift, although that is probably due to catching gastro from the home. (About 40% of 120 residents have been somewhat affected, and as far as I am aware the nursing home is trying to keep it hush hush from relatives etc)

[Rusky99]

Company policy is that we are not even allowed to keep our phone on us. Has to be left in our bag on silent

In this case, I would follow up as suggested by a previous poster - ask what the policy is for contacting you in an emergency. If they don't have one, ask for a policy to be put into place.

[Ally'smum]

In this case, I would follow up as suggested by a previous poster - ask what the policy is for contacting you in an emergency. If they don't have one, ask for a policy to be put into place.

Definitely do this.


I would also keep my phone on me regardless of policy, but I am a bit naughty that way...