[Fresia]

I was hired for second shift and told only second shifters fill in for second shifters if someone calls off when I was hired. Work has changed the policy that now that anyone can be called in for whichever shift, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, if someone calls off. My training period is still going on so that I am on days now until when I do not know when I will be put on my shift and this policy will actually kick in for me; however, I am concerned.

I have been managing my BP for years now, FINALLY after years of failed attempts, by being a a regimented schedule including needed to sleep so many hours at night thanks to my meds. I worked 3rd shift at one point and it made me manic years ago; that is also how I got through it because of the insomnia, I was up. I cannot go back to that because the rest of my life fell apart.

I am considering talking to my docs about getting a medical documentation for a disability indicating that I can cover 1st and 2nd but not 3rd. I don't want to be completely unreasonable and not cover any other shifts. However the problem though is that I am a new hire that is still on probation (in Jan my period ends), also no one knows I have a disability and do not want anyone to know, and it is killing me the thought of asking for this exception being a new hire.

Thinking this through:
If it comes from my pdoc, they will know it is a mental issue even if the pdoc makes it vague just because of his credentials. I thought about talking to and asking my GP for documentation but I have never talked to him about my BP as this GP is new to me and I have only seem him 3 times. He knows the diagnosis but does not know the history. It would be ideal if came from him just indicating a "medical condition" or some wording to that affect.

1. Should I just try to find a way to do the shift and see what happens that I am overreacting so no one continues to know I about my MH issue (but could risk the job due to being unstable); OR
2. Should I talk to my docs and risk this job by revealing the disability and possibly that I have a mental health issue? AND
3. If you did get documentation, would you present it now or wait until after the probation period ends for actual hiring confirmed?

So, what would you do?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[hvert]

I would get the documentation from my GP and present it after the probationary period, assuming that your training period more or less covers you. I might even wait until I turn down a 3rd shift and present it afterwards. Perhaps this will not happen often enough to worry about?

How can they even do that, though? What about people who have children? Could you just say that you have family obligations that would prevent you from working that shift? I really would wait until it's a definite issue -- this seems like a policy that can't last long... you are not the only one who is going to be unhappy about this.

[Little Lulu]

I am a nurse and most hospitals in my area have policies that 'mandate' a nurse stay and cover the next shift if there is a shortage. Not staying to cover a shift if it is your turn is grounds for dismissal. (Not infrequently someone wants the overtime and asks to cover the shift)

As unpleasant as it sounds for the employees, you cannot leave very sick patients (and all of them are very sick these days if they meet admission criteria) without adequate nursing coverage. When I worked in a hospital, I could not do 3rd shift on a regular basis and stay healthy and sane. However, I could do it on occasion and do OK.

I wonder if you could find out roughly how often you might be needed to cover 3rd shift before you make any moves? If it is rarely, you might be able to squeak by.

Fresia - it does not sound like you are being unreasonable. Instead, it sounds like you are being thoughtful about this - both for yourself and for your employer.

[hvert]

Ahh, okay. I'd guess that nurses aren't that likely to just not turn up for shifts, so hopefully this is rare!

[CosmicRose]

I feel like since you're so new, if you mention anything about needing a shift accommodation it might not go over too well or be in your best interest just because you're still in a probation period which I think means they can let you go for basically anything. I'm sorry you're going through this depending on how important this job is to you, I wouldn't risk it. I'm not sure what I would do in this situation if I were you but I think asking for a doctor's note would be the last thing I would try. Because if you don't want them to know about any type of health issue, that would be a pretty obvious sign. Maybe just wait and see if you get called in for a third shift, then ask other coworkers to take it, or talk to your boss about it personally, but again I'm not sure if that would go over well. Maybe you could just do the 3rd shift occasionally and make it clear that you really want 1st or 2nd shifts.
I don't have much work experience so I have no idea how to handle this situation, but since you said you don't want your boss or coworkers to know about your BP, giving them a doctor's note would be basically the same thing as telling them. Plus they might just find someone else since you're so new.
I think I would wait awhile and take it a day at a time to feel out how well I manage a 3rd shift and if I absolutely couldn't after one, then I would get the note, just be prepared for it to be brought up and discussed and have the potential of being let go. I'm sorry