Rest Period Laws

[Hazelnut7289]

What is the name of your state? Washington state

Hello all,
I am a night nurse at an assisted living. My normal shift is 10pm to 6am. This next week, my employer scheduled me for a mandatory paid training from 9am to 5pm, followed by my shift from 10pm to 6am. I was a little surprised and concerned, but my employer was evasive when I approached her about it, she would only tell me she had no other choice and that being a nurse is hard. It may be worth adding this comes halfway through an 8 day schedule which I was also not consulted about, and I normally work a rotation of 4 on, 2 off. Does this seem like a violation of labor laws, or do I need to just suck it up?

 

[justalayman]

What. Is it that you believe might be a violation of law?

If the turn around time: I haven’t found any law addressing it

I did find a law that may speak to the overtime issue which plays into the training time.

https://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/Wages/Overtime/Nurse/default.asp

 

[cbg]

There is no law requiring any particular number of hours between shifts, if that is what you're asking.

 

[LdiJ]

Google "nursing shift laws Washington state". The first link that you get will likely have the answers that you need. Apparently nurses cannot be required to work overtime in WA state. However I did not read enough to see if your exact question was addressed.

 

[quincy]

Here is the link LdiJ references (linked to previously by justalayman) followed by a link to the law (changes were made this year):

https://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/Wages/Overtime/Nurse/default.asp
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.28.130

 

[cbg]

Good to know. And frankly, it's about time.

 

[Just Blue]

In recent headlines:

https://ktla.com/2019/04/20/washington-state-senator-slammed-for-saying-nurses-play-cards-for-a-considerable-amount-of-the-day/

 

[cbg]

I saw that but forgot what state it was. Mea culpa.

 

[Hazelnut7289]

There is no law requiring any particular number of hours between shifts, if that is what you're asking.

Thank you, that was my question. Several other people had seen the schedule and approached me saying it was illegal, but I couldn't find any conclusive info.

 

[quincy]

Thank you, that was my question. Several other people had seen the schedule and approached me saying it was illegal, but I couldn't find any conclusive info.

The laws changed on May 8 with your Governor's signature on Substitute House Bill 1155. The new laws on rest breaks and mandatory overtime will go into effect on January 1, 2020.

Here is a link to the law:
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/Session Laws/House/1155-S.SL.pdf#page1