Episode 070 – More Exempt Employee Status, The NP Dude Podcast, and My Down and Dirty Antibiotic Go To’s!
On this episode of the NP Dude podcast I respond to a Facebook thread dealing with an employment law issue. Specifically, what the heck are we as NPs? Hourly non-exempt employees or salaried exempt professionals? I have covered this topic before but return to it to fill in some more gaps on the situation when you are treated as salary over 40 hours and hourly under 40 hours! I have in the past outlined my goals of this podcast but I think it is a good idea to occasionally let new listeners know what we are trying to achieve with this show. Last, I respond to a student listener’s question about my go to antibiotics. Keep sharing the show guys…we are getting so close to 1,000 likes on Facebook! Send me ideas, questions and topics you are having to Jeff@TheNPDude.com. Don’t forget you can send me PMs on Facebook too! Catch me on iTunes and leave me a rating.
While I respect your knowledge of the law, I think you misinterpreted the real question in that FB thread regarding the salary/hourly issue. The issue as I read the original poster was that she frequently worked many more than 40 hours–was paid salary– and was OK with it. What she wasn’t ok with was being called out in front of patients and staff he one time she was leaving 5 minutes “early” from her “scheduled shift” by the office manager. Her point, as I understand is that she was saying they can’t have it both ways and if you want to pay as a professional, one of those professions “perks” besides coming in early and staying late is determination that if all patients are seen you can leave 5 minutes before four pm. The issue was respect and treatment. Just my two cents.
This is what i was responding to…
“I need some advice…. I am a newer NP (8 months in) and this is the 2nd time my boss has shorted my check. I am supposed to be hourly however she will not pay over time (she says she will only pay for 10 hours a day). At one point she made the comment to me that I was salary but when I hired on she said I was hourly. When I asked her about it she said “well your salary and hourly, if you work over 80 hours you will only get 80 hours” and when I asked if I don’t work 80 hours she said she would pay me for what hours I worked! I am not a rocket scientist but pretty sure that’s illegal! The only hitch was I have no signed contract, I am not sure if legally that will hurt me? I am seriously thinking about getting a lawyer. What should I do? I am planning on sitting down with her Tuesday to discuss everything. I am so frustrated! Thank you for the advice!”