You Don't Qualify! Try Again Next Year!!

[DarciaMoonz, LPN]

I am writing this on behalf of a family member who works at a particular hospital in CT, and is seeking some advice. Since I don't want to be sued for slander and defamation of character some of th names of the people here have been changed.

My Aunt Edith Works at this hospital in CT and has worked there for 16 years. She first started out as an Environmental Associate (EA), and then went on to become a CNA/PCA (which is the "jack of all trades) a few years later. A few months ago, Human Resources created a PCA II position and to qualify for this position, you have to have been employed at the hospital for 18 months or better, and score a 3 on your annual review. She has been personally commended by patients and their family members, have worked almost every major holiday, and have worked on her days off. I stay with her sometimes, and can remember numerous occasions when she had to work the floor alone, doing personal care on 18-25 patients without any help from the nurses or pool. She went into work and found out that she was denied the position of PCA II and she is very upset. "Ilsa", who is also a PCA was given the position, even though she calls out CONSTANTLY, her work is lack luster and basically the only reason why she keeps the job is because of the benefits. "Ruiz" who is the only male PCA there has also been given the PCA II position, which by the way isn't too much suprising because he sweet talks and woes the ladies all of the time on the floor, and every year since he started he has been nominated for PCA of the year. Getting back to "Ilsa", when she wanted to switch days, she would always call my Aunt to fill in for the day she didn't want to work and then NOT show up on the day that she had changed with my aunt. SOOO.... how is that she qualified and got a better review when she isn't there half of the time to be "reviewed" for anything? Not to seem racist or anything (b/c I am NOT), but it appears that very seldomly a minority of any sort is given recognition on the particular floor she works on. "Lisa" is another employee who was not given the position, even though she works doubles for them all of the time, has NEVER called out once, and HAS never been late. She had worked so much for them at one point, that it made her ill, but she still kept coming. She doesn't think it is fair, I don't know where else to go, and this is only the icing on the cake for this particular incident, so we need some advice as to what to do or where to go with this. Sorry this post is so long, and thanxs in advance for those of you who do respond.

[TrudyRN]

I feel your pain.

I think your aunt should send a letter to her boss, stating what you have just said. She should also send a copy to HR and to the President/CEO of the hospital. Those in charge need to know how the manager is treating people.

Does your aunt have any written commendations from doctors, patients, or other staff? She should make copies of these and give them along with her letter.

When this kind of thing happens, it just hurts so much. It is very disturbing, makes us angry and frustrated, makes us feel like fools for staying in the job. And your aunt should probably consider leaving if they don't give her the promotion and raise.

Can she get to a lead aide position or go work dietary, laundry, or housekeeping wheere we she can be away from the one who just denied her the raise?

And she should NEVER, EVER AGAIN agree to help trade shifts with the unreliable one. Race could be an issue - can't say for sure.

I hope she gets the promotion. So glad you are there to help her.

[phoenix72]

I just left my career in HR. She definitely has some good points. She needs to first submit, in writing, what does or does not qualify her for the position. She can then use the information to prove her qualification. She can then ask a senior member of HR to do a side by side comparison of each of the candidates. She would then ask on what grounds was she not chosen. It is the responsibility of HR to have hard, evident facts as to why they chose one candidate over another. If she still doesn't like the answer, climb the ladder until she get to someone who can answer it to her satisfaction. If she is union, there's always the grievance process. On a personal note, I hate it when stuff like this happens. Unfortunately, it does happen.

Shaun

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'm sorry your aunt is going through this.

However, I'm not sure this is the best place to seek advice. For one thing, your aunt is the one who should be fighting this battle; if she chooses not to, there's not a lot you or anyone else can do. The main point is, discrimination is a serious charge to level at an employer, and it's very difficult to prove; your aunt would need to get help from a qualified legal professional, not an online nursing message board, in order to pursue it.

Best of luck to her.

[IMustBeCrazy]

Sad as it is....

Sometimes people aren't promoted because they are actually TOO good at what they do. She sounds like a hard worker, someone that would take 2 people to replace. Also, maybe by giving the slackers a promotion, they changed bosses so now they are someone else's headache. Not fair, but two excellent examples of flawed corporate thinking.

[jojotoo, RN]

Is Ruiz a minority?

[Pompom]

I am wondering if you Aunt is older than the others promoted. Could this denial be age discrimination?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good luck to you!

I agree, this is your aunt's battle. She needs to confront them and find out exactly why she didn't get the position, and what the qualifications are. PCTII's usually have to have skills such as EKG's, inserting catheters, etc. that your aunt might not know how to do

You're not a fly on the wall with them all day long knowing what they do and do not do.

.

[DarciaMoonz, LPN]

yes, BUT he is also the only male PCA there.

[DarciaMoonz, LPN]

They don't insert catheters. There is no difference in the PCA I and PCA II position as far as skills go. The catch is the raise that is attached to it. She is a Licensed phlebotomist an and has taken some nursing courses also. So if they are going by skills, she has gone on to do alot of stuff the others hasn't. I know this is her battle, but she has been there many times for me, and I posted here on this site b/c it is medical and I thought it was a good topic being that there has to be someone who has gone through something similar and it could be an experience that some of us may encounter someday. I didn't know that there were restrictions on what is considered an appropriate topic to post. So I apologize.

[jojotoo, RN]

"Ruiz" who is the only male PCA there has also been given the PCA II position, which by the way isn't too much suprising because he sweet talks and woes the ladies all of the time on the floor, and every year since he started he has been nominated for PCA of the year. ... Not to seem racist or anything (b/c I am NOT), but it appears that very seldomly a minority of any sort is given recognition on the particular floor she works on...

It appears that being a minority isn't holding Ruiz back.

[smk1, LPN]

I would send a letter to the bosses and the HR manager and request a meeting. The letter should be non emotional and should focus on your accomplishments, include letters of recommendation if you can get them. Do not bring up the race issue or the age issue. Ask for a side by side comparison of the others compared to yourself so that you can see why the decision was made.