How to Show Others You Are Happy While Working...

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2009

Stop muttering about how the janitor out to steal your lunch.

Seriously... just be so annoyingly over the top cheerful that your coworkers beg you to be just you again. :up:

PurpleLVN · Nov 24, 2009

Gosh, this has got me thinking...kinda sounds like me!! I do laugh and joke with my co-workers and patients when appropriate, but the times that I'm actually quiet and "aloof"-I'M WORKING!! Also, sometimes they maybe gossiping or discussing stuff that I'm not into so I stay away. Could this be the case with you?

StrwbryblndRN · Nov 24, 2009

That is a silly complaint about someone. Thought there was bigger fish to fry than to pull someone aside and tell them to work on their behaviour because they do not seem happy enough consistently.

I would love to use it on a few of our nurses if I thought it was a legit complaint.

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Nov 24, 2009

whenever they are around you, just laugh a sick little laugh out loud. kind of like a dastardly, evil little chuckle. they will really be wondering about you then ! haha !

praiser :heartbeat

chicookie, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2009

Seriously... just be so annoyingly over the top cheerful that your coworkers beg you to be just you again.

If someone made that comment to me this is exactly what I would do.

MedSurgeMess · Nov 24, 2009

I can't believe they have the time to worry about it....now if you were a constant whiner I could understand

canigraduate · Nov 24, 2009

Seriously, that is a crazy criticism. Unless you go around spouting doom and gloom.

I really think it's awesome that you work in a place where management is worried about your happiness. I would ask the manager specifically what causes her and your coworkers to think that you are "stressed and disconnected," then work on those issues. The solution may be something as simple as smiling more.

However, this may be a warning sign. I have worked with many passive-aggressive and bullying managers who disguise attacks as concern. If your manager has a history of such attacks, beware! It may be time to start looking for another job. (I'm not trying to scare you, just telling you to be aware that this could be happening.)

SoundofMusic · Nov 24, 2009

Our managers are like this to people sometimes. They actually put someone on our unit on "personality improvement" precautions, or some such thing until she left altogether (and rightfully so). I thought it was absolutely ludicrious.

Are we nurses supposed to be Stepford-like? Always going around like smiling robots? It sure seems that way sometimes. And here we are expected to do very detail oriented, timely, technical work which takes focus. Sorry if we cannot be smiling all the time while we're really using our minds and concentrating.

Sounds like co-workers who really have nothing better to do. Sadly, that sometimes includes management.

I myself am itching to get off my own unit for stuff like this. They haven't attacked me yet, but it just gives me the hives to know that they're doing it to other people. If they can do it once, they can do it to anyone.

abundantjoy07, RN · Nov 24, 2009

Summit: I thought about the being over the top cheery person. I guess you gotta fake it to make it. I'm happy but I just don't gush joy at work. Sometimes you need to be serious. Sometimes there's no time for idle chitchat...But I think I will just try the whole cheerful tactic more often. Maybe that way people will have no cause to complain.

Purple: I don't schmooze with everyone at work. Some people I'm just not in to them. Or they just don't interest me. I think I know who has been complaining about me and I don't spend time with her like I do with others. It's not that I don't like her, it's just that I don't care about her our personalities and work ethics aren't similar. I feel that if I would spend time with her, we'd just butt heads so I just treat her cordially. But maybe that cordialness is coming across at rudeness.

Stwbry: Yes, it is a silly complaint! I feel like I'm back in junior high. A big issue is that I wish people would approach me first before they complain to managment! Be an adult and just talk to me!!! That is what really hurts. Why don't people just approach you with their concerns?

Praiser: *cackle*

Chi: thanks for your input!

MedSurgeMess: Some people pick interesting things to fight about. Even tho I've wanted to report and write up most people for various reasons I never have. Now it's like well if someone is going to complain about my lack of smiling at 4:14 in the morning then maybe I should complain about how the unit secretary is lazy and spends her time making personal calls and flirting with the male staff or how one of my coworkers has an awful body odor. The things people do to hurt others is amazing.

Sam: You know I was thinking the same thing. It's nice that management is concerned about such an issue...but are they just being cautious and considering letting me go soon? I'm going to try some new battle tactics and reevaluate the whole thing early next month before I decide on my next step. It's funny because I just got a pay raise and I've done several presentations for the unit and have taken an active role... I just wonder if someone has it in for me. Whatever happened to legit complaints like a nurse never addressing patient concerns or neglecting her patients?

SoundofMusic: Wow. Thank You. You've verbalized some frustration that I couldn't find the words for. Your post speaks volumes to me and assures me that it's not just a me thing...it's something that other nurses on other units face. Personality improvement? Sounds like a buzz word that will be making its way to our unit soon. I wish you the best on your unit as well.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 24, 2009

Not being cheerful....next they'll complain because you were laughing where people are sick...seriously, it's happened. Just say you'll take it under advisement, and then go ahead and do your job.

Mulan · Nov 24, 2009

Sometimes if you don't act all upset about it and just say, "thank you for telling me", they shut up and leave you alone.