The Worker Thread

[Vrede too]

According to Fight For $15, HB2 not only attacks LGBTQs but also "repeals the right of people of color to sue over workplace discrimination" and bans "any city from raising wages above the state minimum of just $7.25 an hour."

According to Human Rights Campaign, HB2 "also gutted existing civil rights protections on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin and other protected characteristics."

[Vrede too]

Leaked (Chamber of Commerce) documents show strong business support for raising the minimum wage
So why do most chambers of commerce still oppose it?

80% support raising the minimum wage, 73% support expanding paid sick leave, and 78% support scheduling policies that would provide more stability for hourly workers.

[Vrede too]

Farmworkers blacklisted for speaking out in North Carolina. Seven farmworkers have been blacklisted from working at NC State Senator Brent Jackson's (R-Autryville, Duplin/Johnston/Sampson counties) tobacco farm for speaking out about unfair labor conditions, and they need your support. The workers had all filed legal claims over wages not paid to them in the 2015 season. When the workers refused to drop the charges in face of intimidation, they were blacklisted and denied employment for the 2016 season. Tell Senator Jackson and the tobacco companies that we won’t stand for this type of unfair treatment of workers! The Farm Labor Organizing Committee will deliver your signature to the six largest tobacco companies that purchase tobacco from North Carolina, starting this week with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco at its yearly shareholders meeting.

[JTA]

According to Fight For $15, HB2 not only attacks LGBTQs but also "repeals the right of people of color to sue over workplace discrimination" and bans "any city from raising wages above the state minimum of just $7.25 an hour."

According to Human Rights Campaign, HB2 "also gutted existing civil rights protections on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin and other protected characteristics."

"small government"

[Vrede too]

Email from President Obama: I've Got News For You on Overtime
Summary: President Obama announced that the Department of Labor will expand overtime pay to millions of American workers.

[Vrede too]

To: President Obama and Labor Secretary Perez (petition)

Thank you for raising the overtime salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476—strengthening 12.5 million workers’ rights to receive overtime pay and to earn a fair living.

[O Really]

Yes, and of course some employers are yowling. But it's interesting that while it's presented as "expanding" the number eligible for OT, it's actually a reduction in the pay level for exemption as compared to, say, 1963. Back then (and until 2004), the salary level test was $150/week ($175 for professionals), which would be over $60k now. But looking at 1970, equivalent salary would be $47.8, approximately where the cutoff was set. So maybe we should send a letter thanking them for raising the minimum back to where it was in 1970.

[Vrede too]

Plus "automatically updates it every three years."

[Vrede too]

As I've mentioned, I'm easing out of my current job, though not healthcare by any means. I now have a date - as of 1/1/17 we will be forced to wear navy bottoms and white, white!, tops. This, after a different uniform mandate was imposed just last year. Of course, the bosses are not paying for any of this and I've already told my manager that I'll never do it.

Now, I have an excellent idea for the method of exit:

Nurse Resigns by Sending 'I Quit' Cake to Her Employer

I'm thinking I'll go with half navy, half white icing and professional lettering.

[Vrede too]

... Of course, the bosses are not paying for any of this ....

Update: "we are opting to provide each team member who is impacted by a uniform color change with a net stipend of $60."

Depending on the choices, that can be as little as 4 items, not adequate for folks working 3 or more days per week but better than nothing. The cost is not my biggest issue with the scheme, anyhow.

[neoplacebo]

Well, at least you guys don't have to wear clown shoes and a red ball nose and bright red lipstick on Wednesdays like I have to.

[Vrede too]

I'd prefer that, suffering patients would love the squirting lapel flower, but the kinky things your girlfriend (or boyfriend, nttawwt) makes you do once a week is none of my business.

[O Really]

... Of course, the bosses are not paying for any of this ....

Update: "we are opting to provide each team member who is impacted by a uniform color change with a net stipend of $60."

Depending on the choices, that can be as little as 4 items, not adequate for folks working 3 or more days per week but better than nothing. The cost is not my biggest issue with the scheme, anyhow.

I'm sorry. I don't quite understand the issue. Come back when you're expected to wear $1,000+ suits and Hermes ties. With no "net stipend."
But seriously, how bad could the new uniforms be, anyway?

[Vrede too]

Thanks for asking.
Plenty of lawyers dress down and no one is telling you that you can't practice if you also do. Besides, I said that money is not the main issue.
It's mindless regimentation imposed by pencil pushers that don't have to wear a uniform that makes them look like interchangeable robots.
It's a throwback to the days when nurses had to stand when an MD entered the room. Is making us wear caps next?
Any visible stains from hour 1 will be there through hour 12. Yuck.
Harder to clean, requiring energy-wasting hot water and harsher, more polluting detergents and bleach.
The guys will have to wear an undershirt despite it often being hot work, or pasties.
The women's bras will be visible.
Here in the South it's weird that one could be fired for not being white enough.
What's wrong with variety as long as we keep it professional? Do you really care what color the scrubs are of the nurse that's saving a loved one's life?

[O Really]

Having had a loved one's life saved by people in scrubs that I don't even remember the color of, I can say unequivocally "no." Wouldn't care if they had on torn jeans and greasy t-shirts.

Are the new uni's part of a hospital trend overall, or a local creation?

[Seth Milner]

But seriously, how bad could the new (blue and white) uniforms be, anyway?
They're afraid they'll be mistaken for a bunch of kids in a Catholic school.

Thanks for asking.
Plenty of lawyers dress down and no one is telling you that you can't practice if you also do. Besides, I said that money is not the main issue.
It's mindless regimentation imposed by pencil pushers that don't have to wear a uniform that makes them look like interchangeable robots.
The thought of any type of workplace discipline is an abhorring thought.

It's a throwback to the days when nurses had to stand when an MD entered the room. Is making us wear caps next?
I don't stand when a judge enters the room; never been that job scared. I've seen some heads that should have had a cap on.

Any visible stains from hour 1 will be there through hour 12. Yuck.
Harder to clean, requiring energy-wasting hot water and harsher, more polluting detergents and bleach.
You don't wash your clothes because you're afraid of polluting the sewer system?

The guys will have to wear an undershirt despite it often being hot work, or pasties.
Guys shouldn't be wearing pasties anyway. If they do, they should wear undershirts to hide them.

The women's bras will be visible.
No smocks? Tell 'em not to wear one, then it won't be seen. That was easy.

Here in the South it's weird that one could be fired for not being white enough.
Do you remember how to get back to the North?

What's wrong with variety as long as we keep it professional?
Judging by the "variety" I've seen on some "professionals", what's wrong with an employer requiring their "professionals" to look like professionals? I went into a restroom of an organization once where the employees dressed rather nappy. A full-length mirror on the wall bore a sign above it that said "Look Professional, Act Professional, BE Professional".

Do you really care what color the scrubs are of the nurse that's saving a loved one's life?
No, but if it or the nurse reeked because that nurse was concerned with wash water polluting the environment . . . well, that's would be an issue.

As the old cow said when she stepped on her teat: "Kwityerdambellyachin".

[Vrede too]

Having had a loved one's life saved by people in scrubs that I don't even remember the color of, I can say unequivocally "no." Wouldn't care if they had on torn jeans and greasy t-shirts.

Are the new uni's part of a hospital trend overall, or a local creation?

My understanding is that it depends somewhat on whether one is in a "right to be screwed" state or not. Even then, white tops is outrageous, I haven't heard of it anywhere since before I became a nurse decades ago.

[O Really]

"Right to be screwed" describes pretty much every state, and only about 18% of nurses are in unions. Higher than overall average in industry, but still...

[Seth Milner]

Shhhhhh . . . ! (I'm on Ignore) Can't even stand a bit of humor.
(oh shit! what am I saying? I'm not allowed to joke around! maybe rstrong won't see this!)

[Vrede too]

"Right to be screwed" describes pretty much every state,

Some more than others.

and only about 18% of nurses are in unions.

That's sad, but where there are unions their impact goes beyond membership. Are you counting the states, not NC, where the professional associations double as unions?

Higher than overall average in industry, but still...