A scheduling nightmare would ensue if seniority prevailed in shift setting. The present scheduling makes recruitment easier and is fair to employees. The Employer needs experienced employees on evening, night and weekend shifts because of the nature of the business. The same level of care must be provided during those shifts as is provided during other shifts. Patient care would be compromised if some shifts were filled with less senior, less experienced employees.
Business necessity requires that senior employees work some of the non traditional shifts.
The Grievant is not qualified to work in housekeeping and cannot be scheduled to perform those duties as can other employees when it is necessary. If she were scheduled so that she was off every weekend, the schedule would have to be changed for the entire department. Other employees would have to change their established schedules to accommodate one individual. This would lead to increased turnover, less experienced staff, decreased efficiency and decreased quality of care. The present schedule has been in use for a long time.