Is It Fair to Be Forced into Night Rounds Without Extra Pay? Seeking Legal Advice and Next Steps

Hi all,

I am working in a reputed hospital. The Medical Superintendent has ordered the HR Department to conduct night rounds every day. We work hard for more than 10 hours every day, and night rounds will overburden us, disrupting our work-life balance. I mentioned this in my reply to her letter. Considering the above, I have the following questions:

1. Can anybody compel a person to take night rounds outside regular duty hours without any extra compensation or compromise in working hours?
2. What are the legal consequences of the letter I sent?
3. What further action is suggested?

Thanks, all.

Dear,

In your post, you have mentioned your designation. If you are the HR Head, you cannot refuse it. Supervision and surprise checks in a hospital are part of HR functions. In any case, you can adjust your work timing to conduct night checks, perhaps once a week. In such instances, you can request transport and security for returning home after the check.

With Regards,

Advocates & Notaries & Legal Consultants [HR]
E-mail: rajanassociates@eth.net
Mobile: 9025792684.

This is a problem you could face in hospitals. It is practically not possible, as you say, to do overtime on a daily basis. The problem is sometimes people at the helm of affairs see only a single side of the story and act. You may need to reason with them or make an arrangement where one of your staff reports at, say, 2 pm and works till 10 pm. This could be done on rotation. In my experience, it would be better not to counter your boss with explanations as they may not see reason but may get the feeling that you are trying to shy away from responsibilities.

All said and done, a free and frank chat with your superior may solve the problem. If I were you, I would walk in for a detailed talk with a solution in hand. If they find reason and absolve the department of the responsibility - fine. If not, I would present my solution with a smile, which should sail through.

Split duty (half in the morning and half in the night) of the HR staff on a rotation basis is the answer to your problem.

If absenteeism is the major problem of your hospital, only then there is a need for night supervision or rounds in the hospital on a daily basis. Otherwise, once, twice, or thrice a week round can suffice.

If you need to put someone on more than half a day on night duty due to the shift duty problems of the medical staff, you can resort to compensatory off for the HR staff for doing their extra night duty on any date.

If the hospital management agrees, you can even assign such night patrolling duty to some doctors also on an alternative basis.

Hi all, I am working in a reputed Hospital. The Medical Superintendent has ordered the HR Dept to take night rounds every day. We work hard for more than 10 hours every day, night rounds will overburden us and will also disturb our work-life balance. I stated the same in a reply to her letter. Considering the above, I have the following questions: 1. Can anybody compel a person to take night rounds apart from the regular duty hours? (without any extra compensation/ compromise in working hours) 2. What are the legal consequences of the letter that I had sent? 3. What further action is suggested? Thanks All.

Hi dear, I can understand your problem because I am also working in a hospital as HR. Here, I am also taking night rounds once a week on any day. The purpose of the night rounds is to check if those working the night shift are performing their duties properly. Many staff members are found sleeping during duty hours, ranging from housemen to housekeeping staff.

In the healthcare sector, there are many patients, so if staff are sleeping instead of caring for patients during working hours, who will be responsible? The purpose of these measures is to address and reduce the aforementioned issues.

Firstly, you can prepare an HR policy for those working night shifts. Secondly, give instructions to the Night Hospital Supervisor to conduct hourly night rounds and submit a daily Night Report for each department. Thirdly, instruct the Security Supervisor to patrol during night rounds in each department and hospital premises and submit a daily patrol report.

I hope this information is helpful.

Regards, Laxman Chippa 9765411140

Hi friends, it is one of the duties of HR to maintain discipline. This can be termed as a surprise visit or check to assess how alert your employees are during their night duty, especially as staff in a hospital.

I agree with ssmdev and would also like to state that if you have more staff in the department, you could assign the duty to them in turns so no one feels the burden. As a moral responsibility, HR should shoulder this to ensure discipline.

Regards,
Ashok
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

I see this as an opportunity for HR to integrate with operations. To integrate with the organization, it is critical for HR to understand the constraints of people in the night shift as much as in the day shift.

Had I been in your place, I would accept this happily and would also ensure that I provide a report each day to add value to the Medical Superintendent's efforts to streamline processes. As an HR professional, it is imperative to sell HR contributions and establish it as a critical function of business, even if there is a need, for the initial period, to work extra.

Certainly, the medical superintendent is reasonable enough not to expect one person to work both day and night on all days. A schedule may be drawn up involving all HR personnel to contribute on rotation.

Here is the opportunity for HR to earn the absolute goodwill of the medical superintendent. So don't let it go by.

Regards,
Raana Singh

Dear Friend,

MS is the highest position of the hospital. In case he has informed to take rounds, take this as an opportunity and deliver the results so that you can build a good relationship and confidence about your performance. Furthermore, you can bring to his notice various issues that are happening during these hours when no administrative staff are present. At the same time, they will fall into place.

Initially, carry out daily checks and slowly scale it down to weekly surprise checks. This will be possible when you gain the confidence of MS through your efforts. Being a manager, you need to handle issues very carefully.

Wishing you the very best and success.

Best Wishes,
Dennis

Subject: Night Rounds

I am also a Senior HR Manager with over 20 years of experience in a Corporate Hospital. We conduct our own rounds and forward reports to our CEO for approval of further action. Although I do this voluntarily, I receive conveyance charges.

As an HR Manager, we become aware of all the activities during the night shift. In fact, it serves as an eye-opener for newcomers to understand the job profiles of night shift staff. This knowledge allows us to create a better working environment, given that the organization operates round the clock throughout the year. Remember, if night shift staff perform their duties effectively, you can enjoy proper sleep at home.

Therefore, it is crucial to establish a conducive working environment during the night shift instead of assuming everything is satisfactory. Your clients are patients, and the staff work directly with patients' lives, not just machines.

Feel free to contact me via email at Satishbhrd@gmail.com for any assistance.

Best regards,
Satish B

Dear friends,

Any one of the HR staff members has to check and make surprise visits to the necessary departments. This is because, during night duties in any hospital, any kind of HR-related affair or even Time Office affair can happen. If the staff members are aware that HR will visit at any time to do rounds in the hospital, it would help the organization maintain discipline and fulfill certain HR responsibilities.

Even if you are the Head of the Department, have a surprise visit with the Security Head. Don't deny it. If you are a committed HR professional, please accept this responsibility.

With best wishes,

IRUNGOVEL