NHS bank, 0 hr contract.

[Furcoatandnoknickerz]

Hi, just wondering if there is anyone who is currently working an NHS bank contract and can advise how you are allocated hrs.

I really wanted to work bank as the ability to pick and choose shifts was very appealing.

However, this doesn’t seem to be how things are working out, I’ve been working 2 or 3 shifts a week, which is fine.

The supervisor has turned into a nit picking micromanger, I don’t feel welcome anymore. She seems to think I’m there to cover her AL and not dare refuse those shifts, no asking if I’m able or not.To be honest she’s acting like a spoilt child.

I know I’m going to be expected to work two weeks over Xmas. I’ve hinted I’m not available, which has resulted in a very toxic atmosphere.

I just want to know how everyone else’s bank contacts work out, is this your experience?

What about working in another speciality/ward? You don’t have to stay - we have had bank workers who have declined working in one of the outpatient division after they have done a few bank slots. That is fair enough (there are reasons! ) they prefer elsewhere.

I would, but unfortunately I’m contracted to one department.

Legally, It's a zero hours contract which means they are not obliged to offer you any hours and your are not obliged to accept any they do offer.

In real life this means you accept all shifts they offer you or they don't offer you any more. They might even give you a shift that when you get there they decide they don't need you for and you waste time and transport costs for no money.

It's unusual for bank staff to be only for one ward/unit - the best bit of it is that you can pick and choose where you work, which helps to minimise what you are experiencing.

Most hospitals have IT systems where you view all the shifts that are available in the hospital and choose when and where you work.

I would join the general hospital bank and decline shifts from this unit.

Normal bank staff can work on any ward (so long as they are competent/relevant skills) across a Trust and yes can puck their shifts. I'd get off that ward and work on another. You could even join the Bank at the same time in another hospital for variety

@LadyLolaRuben @willingtolearn I agree it’s unusual to be in just one department, the bank job was advertised as just this department with training. I’m not actually on or in a bank hub to go an work anywhere.
It is a strange set up and starting to feel very one sided, I’m being treated with the constraints of permanent contacted staff, but made to feel bad if I work to my bank contract.
I wouldn’t have taken this particular bank post if I had known how it would turn out.

Have you got other options?

It can be tricky if you're a specialist nurse and can only really work in one or two areas.

Is it something like endoscopy suite?

It sounds like they're doing this because they can't get permanent staff

@willingtolearn I don’t want to give too many specific details and risk being identifiable. It’s an OPD .To be honest I think my backs up against the wall, with the hostile atmosphere I really don’t want to bother anymore.
Putting up with crap wasn’t something I expected on a bank job , surely you would think the person dishing out said crap would realise that you don’t have to turn up anymore and they have cut their nose of to spite their face 🤷🏼‍♀️
I don’t even get sick pay in return!

I work bank and love it my experience is nothing like this. I've a verbal contract to work 28 hours a week and I put my hours available in months in advance and get my rota the same time as everyone else to see when I'm needed.
It works perfect for me but I suppose I've landed on my feet with my employer.
I always try to be flexible about covering any shifts that I can over my 28hrs or swapping shifts if I can with the other staff so that they don't hate me for picking and choosing when I work 🙈

@sleepythedwarf I’m glad you are having a better experience. I’m zero hrs with no verbal agreement, it was just do what you can, but the goal posts have moved to “ do what we want , not what you want “ . Just to say I have been really flexible to cover the best I can.