BREAKING NEWS
Does Your Department Have a Rule for Employees on News or Late for Shift?
Updated: March 12, 2023 | 10:00 AM EST
In a shocking revelation, many departments and organizations are still unclear about their policies regarding employees who are on news or late for shift. This has led to confusion, uncertainty, and even disciplinary actions. But fear not, dear readers, for we have got you covered!
The Rules: A Review
According to various sources, most departments have a standard operating procedure (SOP) in place for employees who are on news or late for shift. However, the rules may vary depending on the organization, department, or even supervisor. Here are some common practices:
- News Coverage: Employees who are on news assignments are usually given special consideration. They may be allowed to work flexible hours, take time off during their shift, or even be exempt from certain duties. However, this may vary depending on the department’s policy and the type of news coverage.
- Late for Shift: Employees who are late for shift may face disciplinary action, including verbal warnings, written warnings, or even termination. However, some departments may have a more lenient approach, taking into account factors such as traffic, public transportation issues, or personal emergencies.
The Consequences: What Happens When You Break the Rules?
If you are an employee who is on news or late for shift, it’s essential to understand the consequences of breaking the rules. Here are some potential outcomes:
- Disciplinary Action: Depending on the department’s policy, you may face disciplinary action, including verbal or written warnings, suspension, or even termination.
- Loss of Trust: If you are repeatedly late or fail to follow the rules, your supervisor and colleagues may lose trust in your ability to perform your duties.
- Impact on Performance: Repeated tardiness or absence can negatively impact your performance, leading to missed deadlines, decreased productivity, and poor work quality.
The Solution: Clear Communication and Flexibility
So, what’s the solution to this problem? Here are some tips to help you navigate the rules and regulations:
- Clear Communication: Make sure you understand your department’s policy on news coverage and tardiness. Ask your supervisor or HR representative if you’re unsure.
- Flexibility: Be flexible and accommodating when dealing with unexpected situations. If you’re on news or late for shift, try to find a solution that works for both you and your department.
- Open Communication: Keep your supervisor and colleagues informed about your situation. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smoother resolution.
Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest News and Updates!
Follow us for the latest news, updates, and insights on employee policies, department rules, and more!
A lot of the depts in my area have a rule that when someone appears on the news while on a call, the firefighter has to buy food for the shift. In my department, the FF has to either buy lunch or dinner for the shift. The times I was shown on the news, I took the cheap route and bought a few of those Hot-N-Ready Pizzas from Little Caesars, or I bought the supplies to make spaghetti for my shift. In some of the neighboring depts, I know the FF has to buy all three shifts a big tub of ice cream. In one department, the FF has to buy the LT or Capt a steak for dinner.
If your late in my Dept, you have to come with either Donuts or Kolchies for the shift. Several time I had to go to Dunkin Donuts before I got the station.
Does your Dept do the same or nothing is done?
View info-news.info by Melodic_Abalone_2820
If you’re on TV, you buy ice cream for the department. During Covid, our medical director bought a lot of ice cream. He was a good sport.
Any of them resulting in buying just the CO something seems ridiculous to me.
If you’re on TV, it’s ice cream for the shift.
I’ve never heard of this, but as a guy who’s in a house with the city’s only heavy rescue that goes to all the big jobs (ie. the ones that end up on the news) I HEAVILY support this tradition and look forward to my impending weight gain.
Cakes. Everything is cakes
Our rule is we have to be able to read your name on the back of your turnout coat on the news to require an ice cream buy. So we flip the name up or take the coat off when the news shows up.
I guess we are alcoholics then. Our rule has always been if you are on the news, beers for the shift.
Yeah we have a rule where if you’re late for your shift you get written up
No and I hate rules like this because the people that make the rules are the ones that are at the top of the pay scale, and the ones that suffer the most are the ones that are brand new and barely making enough money to be able to pay rent. I go out of my way to make sure that my young guys don’t get caught up in situations where they have to pay more money than everybody else. Housing is crazy expensive right now they don’t need to be buying steak dinners for the captain that’s freaking ridiculous. The captain is nobody special. He’s just a low level supervisor
If you were on the news you buy ice cream for the station. If you were late you would get written up. Our unwritten rule is 20 minutes before shift start and everyone I’ve worked with is excellent at that. We had one guy who would show up late or be a bell ringer and he didn’t last long.
We have a large dice – any infraction results in a dice roll for that individual. Each number on the dice has a penalty (cakes, fruit, seasonal, etc.) that then has to be brought in for the shift. There is a set list of fines to try and be fair, but any indiscretion can be brought before the ‘council’ for judgement. The person with the most dice rolls at the end of the year has an additional punishment (buying a takeaway meal for example).
TV= ice cream
Late= 15 or less before a shift you get branded a shitbag and at 6 minutes after you get written up and fired.
Unexpectedly buying food for everyone? In this economy?!
My department doesn’t have a tradition for either of those things. If you’re going to be late, call to warn the person you’re relieving. That’s that, unless you’re REALLY late. If you’re on the news, good for you I guess? Or bad for you, depending on how you made yourself look. Hopefully you aren’t on the news because you did something stupid.
News = ice cream! About 70% of the time the person or people pictured actually pay up.
It only applies if you speak to the reporter
I worked for one and if you covered for someone you brought in something sweet the kitchen would be filled with cakes and pies in the summer haha
We have to bring Cake for nearly everything
First Day – Cake
First Time driving the Truck – Cake
First Fire – Cake
You can be recognised on the news – Cake
Late for relieve – Cake
Ice cream for the shift if you make the paper, steaks for the shift if you make TV. Being late is disciplinary action.
It’s up to the cap/BC how you’re treated if you’re late on shift. If you’re a few minutes late and it’s occasional I’ll let it slide. If you’re extremely late/don’t show for a shift without notification (outside of extreme circumstances) you’re suspended without pay for 1-2 shifts depending on severity and written up.
If you’re on the news you owe the entire shift cupcakes. I have no idea how that became a thing.