How do I discuss needing more than a few hours off each week? I'm their live-in caregiver.
I am her. I have been doing live in care for over 3 weeks and they are taking advantage of me by not giving me more than a few hours off each week he 7 days a week with ony a few hours off 2-3 times a week.
You have too be strong and let them know what you need. If you don't and your body and mind is telling you what you need. Soon they not going to give it to you you going to need it cause your mind and body will make it happen so which way do you want to go out. the right way for the forced way which want be very pretty at all. Mental blow up! BOMB
You have received good advice thus far. I'm assuming that you are working independently, rather than for a service because the service organization would have make specific time off arrangements for you. As an independent try to network with others who do the same work and find out how they handle the same situation. You want to do this so that if the people who hire you tell you that they will let you go if you want more time off you can then tell them what is considered "standard" for 24/7 independent care givers in your area. You might also be able to find another independent care giver who wants to work a couple of days a week and you can arrange with the people who hired you to have 2 caregivers.
It outlines how to determine hours worked and the breaks you are entitled to. If you are required to be there 24hrs per day you get paid for 24hrs per day, even if 8 hours is sleeping, or waiting....Until you are completely relieved of duty you are "ON DUTY". I am in similar circumstances, but we also have a nurse to help for 40-60 hrs per week. And a nurse who covers 3 nights per week. For example the nurse left at 5pm on Friday and does not return until Monday at 7 am. Therefore, I am ON DUTY for 52hrs straight. I also work another 60hrs during the week to prepare meals and take care of family and home business. That means during the week I am entitled to more than 48hrs off. I have personally agreed to not take that time in one block but break it up as needed.
Labor laws differ per state but if you work more than 48hrs on consecutive days you are entitled to 24 hrs off and 20min breaks for lunch etc. Anything else must be agreed to in writing.
what is in your contract. Also have a meeting with them an let known you time for yourself. Your health is important when carrying for people. I agree above you didn't mention other factor of cause.
As a live-in caregiver, you should have discussed time off with the patients before you took the job. No one takes advantage of you when you are a live-in caregiver. That usually means you are on duty 24/7 because that person(s) needs you there. Try a different arrangement, get a different type of job, or stop what you are doing. The choices are yours.
Did you sign a contract upon hire? Were days off discussed prior to you being hired? Did they tell you you would be off a certain amount of hours each week and now they are expecting you to work those hours?
If you have a concern, speak to the person who hired you. It's hard to say because you didn't include a lot of information in your post. Maybe you could give a little more detail so you can get more specific answers.
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It outlines how to determine hours worked and the breaks you are entitled to. If you are required to be there 24hrs per day you get paid for 24hrs per day, even if 8 hours is sleeping, or waiting....Until you are completely relieved of duty you are "ON DUTY".
I am in similar circumstances, but we also have a nurse to help for 40-60 hrs per week. And a nurse who covers 3 nights per week. For example the nurse left at 5pm on Friday and does not return until Monday at 7 am. Therefore, I am ON DUTY for 52hrs straight. I also work another 60hrs during the week to prepare meals and take care of family and home business. That means during the week I am entitled to more than 48hrs off. I have personally agreed to not take that time in one block but break it up as needed.
Labor laws differ per state but if you work more than 48hrs on consecutive days you are entitled to 24 hrs off and 20min breaks for lunch etc. Anything else must be agreed to in writing.
If you have a concern, speak to the person who hired you. It's hard to say because you didn't include a lot of information in your post. Maybe you could give a little more detail so you can get more specific answers.