Riddle Me This Batman. A Scheduling Conundrum.

[UMSTUDENT]

I know a lot of people here have worked a variety of EMS shifts over their many years of service. I need help trying to figure out a "secret" schedule change that is about to occur where I work.

Here's the scoop:

I work for a fire-based 9-1-1 system. The system is interesting in that it employs both fire medics (who have to meet FLSA 7K standards), but also Paramedics who specialize in EMS only (these are non-exempt, 40 hour per week employees). The system is primarily designed around the paramedic specialists and this new scheduling change would effect the majority of the work force.

We currently work 20 hrs on, 52 hours off-on a rotating shift. The shift has a Kelley day (day off where you would normally work) every third week like a traditional 24/48. My supervisor recently told me that they will be going to a shift that will meet the following criterion:

A) Employees will only work two days per week.

The Kelley day is eliminated.

C)The shift will be rotating.

D)There will be no guaranteed overtime built into the schedule. This means that employees will only work 40 hours per week OR will have a short week every so often that will make-up for the OT paid out by the organization. He seemed to hint that the latter is the answer.

This organization is very secretive due to governmental policy. They really never converse with their staff regarding staffing issues and changes are sudden and without notice. I for the life-of-me can't think of an FTE schedule that would meet the above requirements without some form of overtime. This is especially troubling since I'm trying to make some very current decisions regarding my future. I'd appreciate the collective minds and experience of the people on the forum. A small riddle to solve that would greatly help me out.

[spenac]

They may even be looking at more part times or shifting more fire medics onto the ambulance and basically slowly cutting EMS specialist out of the picture in order to save money, screw quality. By adjusting schedules w/o input they hope that the specialists will just quit so they, that is the government, avoid firing thus saving money on unemployment benefits.

Perhaps I'm wrong but ....................................

I worked with a city that when they took over EMS from a private hired everyone at or above wage rate they were at. 3 months later with no notice beyond budget discussions on agenda list they cut all our pay and refused to hire more people to fill the positions open. After the dust settled they extended the number of hours before overtime was paid. Then they , oh yeah I quit so the rest would be 3rd party gossip. I am there part time on a negotiated wage but not in the official loop.

[akflightmedic]

To do it, you need 4 platoons/shifts, whatever you call them.

24 on 72 off but that gives 16 hours of OT every 2 weeks.

Other schedule is a 24 and a 16 once a week.

Ten years ago, an old county I worked for tried it for about a month or two before realizing it led to more overtime due to call outs, late calls, etc.

[Dustdevil]

Ya know, this is the only job I've ever had in my life -- and there have been many -- where almost every manager feels like he has to make scheduling a complicated ordeal. WTF is up with that anyhow? WTF makes everyone in EMS believe that they are so special that just working 7-3, or 3-11, or 11-7, or 12 hour shifts is not workable for them? I just have never got this nonsense. It's a sign of really poor management on a nationwide basis. With our "leaders" no smarter than this -- totally unable to grasp simple concepts because they are too focused on trying to complicate it -- it is no wonder that EMS is in the toilet.

[Kaisu]

Because Dust, they are all trying to cut costs. If they implemented a normal schedule, they would have to raise hourly rates, thus paying more than now for the hours that we now sleep (if we are lucky). Paramedics accept 11$/hour because with 48 on/72 off they make a livable wage. If they did what normal industry does, not only would they have to raise the rates, they would probably have shift differentials in the evenings (making it even more expensive when people "sleep"). They would need more people too.... All this would put upward pressure on wages. By convincing us that we are "special" they con us all. I know most people at my station gloat over the fact that we get paid to sleep.... nevermind that our hourly wage for when we are the side of the highway working a trauma is less than everybody else on that scene - including most patients (I mean, they can afford pretty nice cars)

At least thats why I think this is.

[crotchitymedic1986]

It could be 24/48 with having your OT shift covered by other medics every third week (one crew would always work Wed/Sat -- covering the crews that would be scheduled off during the 72 hour week to cut you back to 48.

Or it could be 24/72, which many think is less expensive, but is usually more expensive.

[Kaisu]

oops misspoke.. bad math... its 48 on - 96 off....

[Dustdevil]

Because Dust, they are all trying to cut costs.

Let no one doubt your intelligence and observant vision! You nailed that one! :thumbright:

I certainly understand that. And I wasn't really questioning why they are so creative with schedules with overnight shifts and such. I was more referring to the irregularity of it all. Nothing wrong with 24/48s or 24/72s, as there are many slower systems where this is wholly appropriate. In many rural systems, where medics commute from long distances, they would not be able to attract medics to the agency if they had to make that trip twice a day, several days a week. But what I don't get is how so many managers FAIL to put some consistency in the schedule. If your people have to write their schedule down in order to assure they remember it, something is wrong. And that seems to be an extremely common occurrence in EMS.

[UMSTUDENT]

Let no one doubt your intelligence and observant vision! You nailed that one! :thumbright:

I certainly understand that. And I wasn't really questioning why they are so creative with schedules with overnight shifts and such. I was more referring to the irregularity of it all. Nothing wrong with 24/48s or 24/72s, as there are many slower systems where this is wholly appropriate. In many rural systems, where medics commute from long distances, they would not be able to attract medics to the agency if they had to make that trip twice a day, several days a week. But what I don't get is how so many managers FAIL to put some consistency in the schedule. If your people have to write their schedule down in order to assure they remember it, something is wrong. And that seems to be an extremely common occurrence in EMS.

The problem here is entirely a firemonkey one. When the head boss-man discussed 12 hour shifts, at least 60% of the current employees had a small stroke. "You mean I have to drive to work more than two days per week? Are you going to pay for my gas?"

Maryland is odd. Because the costs of living are so astronomical, many of the state's paid firefighters and paramedics sometimes live hours away. They like the 24/48 or 24/72 because it gives them two long commutes a week. I'd say it is still a relatively small percentage of people who would be negatively affected by shorter shifts. Maybe 10-15% actually live so far away that it would be detrimental.

I personally would be in favor of a 12 hour schedule. Maybe a 3 on, 4 off- 4 on, 3 off. I think most of us are entirely two dangerous after 20 hours of work. Anyway, I caught wind of the ridiculousness that is apparently being considered. Something about a 4 FTE shift where you would work your 24 hour shift, have three days off, followed by a 16 hour shift that would start at some horrible, constantly rotating time (potentially as ridiculous as 2-4 AM). The weeks would slowly rotate so that your 24 hour and 16 hour shifts would move forward in the week as time progresses.

Ugh...