Work place mobbing (an NA perspective)

135ctv · Mar 14, 2002

I ran into a similar problem this week. I started a PRN position to pick up some extra shifts. The aide assigned to orient me worked for the facility for 10 years. I spent much of my first shift following her from room to room picking up the dirty briefs and bedpads that she tossed on the floor (she did not wear gloves). She was openly rude and even yelled at me a few times in front of residents and visitors. I spoke to the DON who told me "we've never had any complaints about her", but said she would talk to the aide.

The next shift, she did not say anything to me, just stared at me and glared. As I was walking by the nurse's station, she looked at me and said to the nurses "they don't want to take orders and they don't want to do what they're supposed to do". She also told staff not to help me.

I gave my resignation today. The DON said that the aide is really a nice person and I was probably being too sensitive and "how do you know she was really talking about you when she said those things?" She said that she called the aide after the shift to see how things went, and the aide did not indicate to her that anything was wrong. The DON wants me to work two more shifts, but I'm not sure that I will.

The bottom line is that I already make $5.50/hour more at a job that schedules me full-time in facilities where I enjoy working. Earning extra money is nice, but I'd rather have the time off than spend it in a facility like this.

I also have concerns working for a DON who tries to minimize this. As long as this behavior is not viewed as a problem it will continue (and they wonder why they have turnover).

mario_ragucci · Mar 14, 2002

You have nothing to lose! Turn your feelings and emotions into reality and sound off. It's the hesitating thats the hardest part because once you hesitate, these kooks will drain you, for their own amusement. These folks don't get enough real drama on TV, so they hafta create it in reality.

Think of yourself as laying in bed, at 78 years old. Now, surprise!, your here. Someone crosses you, or messes with you, your not gonna want to be laying in bed at 78 remembering what you didn't do. You see what I'm saying? Dance, like no one is watching. let them know about your feelings, because Rhona's feelings count a great deal.

It's a shame, but there are all kinds of goons and wigged out jokers in the deck sometimes. Your a wild card too, remember that. It's like riding a bike. Riding the ward. Once you get up and petal, your okay. It's not easy, I know, for some of us who are loving by default, to hafta put on a war face. But think of it as showing them love by not allowing them to remove your love. Figure it out. Be brave! Help yourself out by showing yourself how much you care. Do not turn tail and run (on yourself). You got nothing to lose, so why don't you give a shit about yourself? You know what I mean. Life is a dance you learn by doing, so take the lead, and dance like no one is watching....all over these mean folks who couldn't fill your shoes? Have compasion for them, by hitting them with everything you got, right up front. you have nothing to lose. Show'em what you got. They wanna see. Show'em :-) And best of luck with the fortitude!!!