Waste of Time Complaint against me

[abbaking]

I was called to HR for a petty childish complaint against me. Long story short, I used to go over to the ICU unit to barrow supplies (med/surg units NEVER have enough flowmeters or suctions). In order to find out who the charge nurse was that shift, you'd have to check the white board names. The ICU staff felt as though i was specifically seeking out certain individuals. They also complained that I was looking down the hallway (units face one another).

The HR director told me that she had dealt with some complicated complaint cases in the past and she felt as though this situation was not that bad. I took that as her way of saying this was a crock.

So, As i stated to my friends - That unit and there staff can go to hell.

Yes, I know that makes me sound childish and unprofessional, but then again so does a complaint of looking down a hallway. We are not in middle school. I will look anywhere I please.

As far a people feeling as though I was seeking them out....Perhaps people get offended at my (former) positive attitude at work, smiling good morning cheerfulness.

So, If you can't beat them join them. Should i come to work and be angry like everyone else? At least people will understand real quick i have no secondary intentions. Anger and negativity are accepted - Positive and happy are deemed risky behavior.

I am venting here but at the same time I want to know why things are so backwards in healthcare.

Better to ignore people, get an attitude, be rude and condescending? Or risk being fired because I am cheerful, positive, blessed and happy to be alive?

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Written up for harassment for looking down the (shared) hallway? That is the best I heard yet.

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

i can't get past the "picturing you walking thru the gates of hell nekkid" part. i'd better get you some sunscreen...

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

You need to nip this complaint in the bud RIGHT NOW. It is no laughing matter when a harassment charge is on your file.

I have had nearly the same, petty thing happen to me, and I refused to have anything written on my file (ie: charges against me that were basically made up by the manager of my unit). You have the right to have a nursing neutral representative there at a meeting with the complainant & HR, even if you are not in a union. Don't ever go to meetings on your own; you have the right to have a witness. Check with HR if uncertain. If the other unit are going to complain, they need to deal with it and the backlash. Set it all out in writing what you think as well and give HR & the complainant the copy. You need to meet them face to face and have it all transcribed - you are entitled to a written copy of this charge. Create as much fuss as possible, DO NOT give in. I was accused in one job (not nursing but it was in a huge teaching hospital where I was booking/coordinating OR schedules) of unbelievably stupid & moronic things, & I ended up refusing to deal with that manager - my right. HR were not that supportive as that hospital was full of managers who sat on their fat backsides, thinking they were 'managing' things when they just plain caused trouble & bullied workers (my manager was famous for it). You are a person, not a thing to be harrassed, and yes, many people in big hospitals bully people (hospitals are notorious for this kind of thing unfortunately), and people are often grumpy and bad tempered cos they hate their jobs, need to retire, have worked there too long, bully people cos they get away with it, etc. You ARE being bullied and I would not stand for it. They can't sack you over this either - a lawyer would love to take this on in court cos you would win I daresay.

If you do meet with them, still be polite but be firm and state how ridiculous it all is. Ask for a retraction on your file as well. And, I know this sounds awful, but try to be intimidating - the other party will probably back down as they won't want to go further, and make sure it is all in writing. DO NOT back down on your position, no matter what excuse they give (people often elaborate complaints later on and make stuff up anyway). Always stick to the facts.

I don't stand for any crap like that now, I confront people ASAP; you have rights and confronting people leaves them confused.

I always try to be positive and happy at work, and there are a lot of grumpy people around, sometimes it's hard working with others like that. But you have to be you, and yes, you should ALL be complaining you don't have the equipment you need in your unit to perform your job correctly; management don't care that someone may die but you need to start quoting stuff like that, because it does happen due to lack of equipment, or poorly functioning equipment.

Sorry for ranting, but this is BULLYING & you need to quote that to HR. I hate bullies and people who whinge about stupid things. Who has got time to deal with it all?

[wifemom&lpn2be]

Oh, it's ON now! *neck roll*

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I don't even know what that comment means. Bullying is no joke. I saw a good friend of mine get bullied so bad she became a nervous wreck (and she was a lovely person) by the same manager who bullied me. She ended up quitting after being in the same job for years, her hubby was so worried about her he told her to leave. She even told me she had even thought about suicide but had never tried it - it was that bad. Most people can't leave jobs - they don't have that option but she was lucky. If that last comment was a joke I don't think it is a joking matter, not after seeing a dear friend go through what she did. Her spirit was literally broken when she left.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Why was HR dealing with this? Why was your manager not speaking with you? Did you speak with your manager regarding your lack of supplies? Did you make a request for those supplies in writing? Is there a charge nurse (or are you the charge nurse ) or supervisor that you can call when you need a certain item? Do you call the charge nurse of that area before you go there to get an item?

People are very guarded about their units sometimes so it is common courtesy to do the following:

1. Call the unit (usually the charge nurse) to see if they have the item and if you can borrow.

2. If you have a tube system, ask them to send it to you. If not then pick it up.

3. Speak to your manager about your lack of supplies and follow up that discussion with a request in WRITING and keep and copy of that request. Par levels of stock items are an easy thing to change.

4. Give your manager 4 weeks to respond to your request.

5. After 4 weeks, drop him/her an email or not, again keeping a copy, asking the status of your request for these items.

6. Give him/ her time to respond.

7. If again you do not get what you need, set up a formal meeting with your manager and ask what the issue is that you are not able to get these items. If possible come to this issue from a patient safety standpoint. Follow up with your manager with a thank you note for the meeting. Keep a copy.

8. After two weeks, if no action has been taken, you will have to go up the chain of command. You should do this in a professional, non blaming manner, again, focusing on the safety needs of the patient. You will have copies of all documentation that you have sent to your manager but at this point you do not what to attach them.

If you get called in for telling on your manager or for going around the chain of command you will then have all your documentation of the time you have taken this issue to your manager and have not received a response.

[RN20102010]

People that make complaints like this need more work. They don't have enough to do or are neglecting the work they have. Instead of looking for trouble go in and chat with your patients. Most of us are so busy we wouldn't even notice the building coming down around us.

I agree, is it that relaxed in the ICU that they have time to notice you everytime you come for supplies OMG, are you serious.