retaliation or just coincidence?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I will try to be brief here, but there is a lot to tell so bear with me.

Since March I have been prn status for M/S and ER averaging 2 days a week at a very small and struggling rural hospital in a neighboring county. I was hired prn with the understanding that I would be a day shift employee, and would be willing to perhaps fill in an OCCASIONAL night if it worked with the rest of my schedule. (I am also in a MSN program for what it is worth).

In early May the manager contacted me and asked me if I would do a few nights to help fill a hole from a recent resignation until someone new could be oriented. Since the semester was over, I agreed to a total of 4 nights - 3 one week and one the next, with the understanding that this was a temporary thing only and I could not do regular nights. Those nights I did and a couple of them were pretty hairy but nothing horrible.

This hospital has come under new ownership as of 8/05, and is struggling as mentioned before. Supplies are at a bare minimum with even tape being rationed. I have been alarmed to find that there were no needleless syringe equip. available on a regular basis even though our tubing had the ports to accomodate needleless devices; and our sharps containers just have a big hole at the top that a small wrist could fit through. there is also not a post-exposure program in place. Get the picture? I did and I filed an anonymous complaint with OSHA for occupational hazard. They were very interested and were to immediately investigate.

Fast forward and I haven't worked there in 3 weeks. I was called with a looong list of nightshifts wanting to know if I could work, and when I replied back to my managers' voicemail telling him politely that I could not work any nights but please let me know any days available, haven't heard a peep since. Not even a call back to say "I just dont have any day shifts available" etc. It doesn't make sense for a facility that is chronically understaffed especially with RNs. I have been able so far to make up the time with other work but am having to scramble to do so. For a month and a half I was guranteed the two days a week at this place. There are no problems or incidents with my performance - so why have I been dropped like a lead weight?

I can't help but wonder if they found out I made the OSHA complaint, and even though there is supposedly whistleblower protection, how could I prove anything? I am still an active employee...as a matter of fact am still receiving regular pay stubs with nothing as the amount.

I really would like to hear some opinions on this. I wasn't trying to make trouble for anyone, just have a safer work environment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Seems to me they offered you some shifts and it was not what you wanted. Who knows why maybe they found someone who could work more hours than you maybe they hired an agency nurse to fill the voids. Why I can't understand is you turn in this hospital and then expect them to keep offering you shifts, if I was the manager and found out you complained about my facility I wouldn't offer you any shifts as well. You rebel against the establishment and when the establishment rebels back you are now crying foul.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Management.
Seems to me they offered you some shifts and it was not what you wanted. Who knows why maybe they found someone who could work more hours than you maybe they hired an agency nurse to fill the voids. Why I can't understand is you turn in this hospital and then expect them to keep offering you shifts, if I was the manager and found out you complained about my facility I wouldn't offer you any shifts as well. You rebel against the establishment and when the establishment rebels back you are now crying foul.

This is America, please remember. She was not rebelling against the Establishment, she was doing her duty as a nurse and reporting an unsafe, illegal situation.

To the OP: I suppose this could be retaliation, but it's difficult to tell. I would scout around for something else, just in case you can't get enough hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Seems to me they offered you some shifts and it was not what you wanted. Who knows why maybe they found someone who could work more hours than you maybe they hired an agency nurse to fill the voids. Why I can't understand is you turn in this hospital and then expect them to keep offering you shifts, if I was the manager and found out you complained about my facility I wouldn't offer you any shifts as well. You rebel against the establishment and when the establishment rebels back you are now crying foul.

1. this facility no longer uses agency staff

2. I dont' get your comment about rebelling against the establishment. Like I stated I am just interested in a safe work environment for myself and my colleagues. It looks like you are not in the US...here we have "whistleblower protection" for anyone who reports unsafe working conditions. It has nothing to do with rebelling against anything or anyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Seems to me they offered you some shifts and it was not what you wanted. Who knows why maybe they found someone who could work more hours than you maybe they hired an agency nurse to fill the voids. Why I can't understand is you turn in this hospital and then expect them to keep offering you shifts, if I was the manager and found out you complained about my facility I wouldn't offer you any shifts as well. You rebel against the establishment and when the establishment rebels back you are now crying foul.

I can never understand why any manager would take it personally when an employee files a complaint because of workplace hazards. Interesting how advocating for a safe work environment becomes an act of rebellion or betrayal. Guess nurses aren't important enough to protect against workplace hazards.

The biggest problem with the nursing profession today is the "put up and shut up" attitude, especially when it is coerced through intimidation and retaliation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

I can't understand why someone who reported a facility to OSHA for unsafe work conditions would then be upset about not being offered work there. If it's that bad, why would you want to keep working there?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I can never understand why any manager would take it personally when an employee files a complaint because of workplace hazards. Interesting how advocating for a safe work environment becomes an act of rebellion or betrayal. Guess nurses aren't important enough to protect against workplace hazards.

The biggest problem with the nursing profession today is the "put up and shut up" attitude, especially when it is coerced through intimidation and retaliation.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!:yelclap:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Tele, Dialysis.
:bow: AMEN AND AMEN!!!!!
Up Vote Up Vote ×

How about this old but relevant analogy "Don't crap where you eat". You mention several trivial things but did not bring this up to your supervisor, instead opting to anonymously report this to OSHA, and you actually expect to be asked back to work?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
How about this old but relevant analogy "Don't crap where you eat". You mention several trivial things but did not bring this up to your supervisor, instead opting to anonymously report this to OSHA, and you actually expect to be asked back to work?

Lack of the most basic patient care supplies is not trivial. Working conditions that place staff members at risk for needlestick injuries are not trivial. The lack of federally mandated after-care for employees exposed to hazardous bodily fluids is not trivial. The OP did the right thing to protect herself, her co-workers, and her patients by making a report to OSHA.

I don't know whether the OP spoke with management about these issues before going to OSHA, but regardless, I can assure you that management knew about them. Who do you think created and condoned the circumstances the OP described?

I am curious as to why you show such disdain for an employee who is simply requesting safe working conditions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Lack of the most basic patient care supplies is not trivial. Working conditions that place staff members at risk for needlestick injuries are not trivial. The lack of federally mandated after-care for employees exposed to hazardous bodily fluids is not trivial. The OP did the right thing to protect herself, her co-workers, and her patients by making a report to OSHA.

I don't know whether the OP spoke with management about these issues before going to OSHA, but regardless, I can assure you that management knew about them. Who do you think created and condoned the circumstances the OP described?

I am curious as to why you show such disdain for an employee who is simply requesting safe working conditions.

My thoughts exactly!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
Lack of the most basic patient care supplies is not trivial. Working conditions that place staff members at risk for needlestick injuries are not trivial. The lack of federally mandated after-care for employees exposed to hazardous bodily fluids is not trivial. The OP did the right thing to protect herself, her co-workers, and her patients by making a report to OSHA.

I don't know whether the OP spoke with management about these issues before going to OSHA, but regardless, I can assure you that management knew about them. Who do you think created and condoned the circumstances the OP described?

I am curious as to why you show such disdain for an employee who is simply requesting safe working conditions.

Very well said!!!!! The OP was trying to protect herself and others and was RIGHT in reporting it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment