[panda60]

I ended up calling in sick my 3rd shift last week. I am in my 8th week of my contract. I was supposed to get paid on Saturday and my pay check never showed up. There is nothing stated in the contract about calling in sick. Only if i miss a shift, or quit the assignment, it will delay distribution of my pay. If I call in sick for one shift, does this void my contract? I plan to make it up at the end of my contract. Anyone ever run into this? What has been your experience?

[CompassionateRN]

Hi there! I'm sure that each travel company does things a little differently, but missing a shift because you were sick should not cancel your contract. I don't know why you didn't get your paycheck, but you should probably talk to your recruiter and ask him/her what their policy is. There are a couple of scenarios that I've encountered while traveling with two different companies...

1. If you're contracted to receive a completion bonus, they will expect you to make up the shift, or risk getting a prorated bonus or no bonus at all.

2. If there's no bonus involved, you may not HAVE to make up the shift, but you might be charged a "missed shift housing cost".

Talk to your recruiter and nurse manager. They'll be able to help you figure out what to do. But don't worry... it happens all the time and it's not that big of a deal.

[panda60]

I've been out of state for a week and I came home and still no paycheck. It is a full 2 weeks and I have worked 2 more shifts since that pay period ended. It should have been in the last Friday. I get a living stipend at the end of every month, I have foot the bill all month for motels, living so it is all out of my pocket so far for March. The only other benefit I get is a 15000.00 life insurance policy that lasts as long as the assignment does...so basically that is it. I emailed them late last night and told them I was done, that I needed a reliable paycheck coming in. I don't know what to do at this point. Any suggestions?

[CompassionateRN]

Yikes! I'm sorry you're having such a hard time getting paid. I have had a couple of experiences where a paycheck didn't arrive when it should have. Since then, I have signed up for Direct Deposit, which is FABULOUS and very reliable.

The first thing I would recommend is to talk to your recruiter and let him/her know that you haven't received your paycheck. Explain your frustrations and tell him/her that you're going to look for another company if they don't get this settled to your satisfaction (and soon!). I understand the ease of using e-mail, but sometimes you can get things done more quickly (and reinforce your point more strongly) over the phone.

You could also call the Payroll Dept. When I was waiting for my late paychecks, they said they had to wait one week after it was initially mailed before they could place a "stop payment" on the check and issue another. It sounds like you've already hit that deadline.

I hope this doesn't turn you off travel nursing completely. There are a lot of great companies and assignments out there... You just have to know what you're worth and what to ask when you're talking with recruiters. Good luck!

Ashley :-)

[desertangelrn]

Most contracts give the minium amount of hours to work ie 36 - 40 hours a week. Most contracts state that in the event you do not work the contracted hours ie minium hours 36-40 hours you are liable to pay $ xx per hour for time missed. In your case this would be taken from the stippend. So you are entiled to a full pay check minus the missed hours. Most companies go on and state that when you make up the shift you missed they will refund the deduction for housing.

First of all I would contact your recruiter by phone and email, and state that if they do not overnight the check or send it by Western Union it, You will

a.) File a compalint with the Dept of Labor for non payment of wages against them and the facility.

Don't let them give you bull **** about having to wait a period of time. If they pull this number tell them you are going to approach the facility.

b.) You will sue them for breach of contract and non payment of wages.