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.
From Ireland
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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.
From Ireland
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HR Responsibilities in Hospital Settings
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: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Mobile: [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons].
From India, Bangalore
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204In 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: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Mobile: [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons].
From India, Bangalore
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Addressing Overtime Challenges in Hospitals
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.
From India, Thiruvananthapuram
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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.
From India, Thiruvananthapuram
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Split Duty for HR Staff
Split duty (half in the morning and half at night) of the HR staff on a rotation basis is the answer to your problem. If absenteeism is the major problem in your hospital, only then is there 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 Department to take night rounds every day. We work hard for more than 10 hours every day, and 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 or 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.
From India, Delhi
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Split duty (half in the morning and half at night) of the HR staff on a rotation basis is the answer to your problem. If absenteeism is the major problem in your hospital, only then is there 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 Department to take night rounds every day. We work hard for more than 10 hours every day, and 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 or 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.
From India, Delhi
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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.
Steps to Address Night Shift 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
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
From India, Pune
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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.
Steps to Address Night Shift 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
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
From India, Pune
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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.
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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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]
From India, Bangalore
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Regards,
Ashok
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
From India, Bangalore
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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
From India, Delhi
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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
From India, Delhi
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Opportunity in Conducting Night Rounds
The Medical Superintendent (MS) holds the highest position in the hospital. If he has informed you to take rounds, consider this an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities and build a strong relationship, enhancing confidence in your performance. Additionally, you can bring to his attention various issues occurring during these hours when no administrative staff are present, ensuring they are addressed.
Initially, conduct daily checks and gradually reduce them to weekly surprise checks. This approach will be feasible once you gain the MS's confidence through your efforts. As a manager, it is crucial to handle issues with care.
Wishing you the very best and success.
Best Wishes,
Dennis
From India, Manipal
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The Medical Superintendent (MS) holds the highest position in the hospital. If he has informed you to take rounds, consider this an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities and build a strong relationship, enhancing confidence in your performance. Additionally, you can bring to his attention various issues occurring during these hours when no administrative staff are present, ensuring they are addressed.
Initially, conduct daily checks and gradually reduce them to weekly surprise checks. This approach will be feasible once you gain the MS's confidence through your efforts. As a manager, it is crucial to handle issues with care.
Wishing you the very best and success.
Best Wishes,
Dennis
From India, Manipal
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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 [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons] for any assistance.
Best regards,
Satish B
From India, Bangalore
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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 [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons] for any assistance.
Best regards,
Satish B
From India, Bangalore
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