how to deal with workplace harassment in LTC

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 11, 2011

There are two RN's that act like they are "irritated" with me because they think I am 'stupid' and can't do my job right. They are in medicine nursing and think themselves superior because they work in 'acute' care.
What kind of issue is this? I review my work and make sure I do things right, and ask questions if it is not right.
What can I Do ?

1) How do they harrass you?

2) How do you know that they think you're stupid and that they're superior?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 11, 2011

there are two rn's that act like they are "irritated" with me because they think i am 'stupid' and can't do my job right. they are in medicine nursing and think themselves superior because they work in 'acute' care.
what kind of issue is this? i review my work and make sure i do things right, and ask questions if it is not right.
what can i do ?

is there anything specific they do to harass you? other than act irritated? and how do you know what they're thinking?

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2011

I had the same issue, with older LPN, trying to get to me, talking about me, I even heard one say give him the rope and let's watch him hang. They would leave a narcotic hanging around in the cart not given, just so that they would "find" it later and report me.

I had many talks with the unit manager, but it never changed, later I found out the manager and this stupid old nurse were long time friends.

So I began to bypass my manager and went straight to the DON, who had a long talk with them, even suspended 2 with no pay for 5 days...

They became really shady, to the point that I felt they could do something wrong and try blaming me, so I went to the HR department and reported the issue.

They would say I did not give them a full report, and I did not say such and such, what they did not know is that I made a written report fir them, and when I left home, I always drop a copy of the report under my manager's door, and the DON.

I made sure all my i's were dotted & T's were crossed. It was stressful, I spoke to my nursing law teacher who told me to leave, there are plenty of other jobs out there, and this situation was unhealthy.

When I said I was leaving, my DON asked me to stay part time. I said no. she gave me a new position, as part time unit supervisor. I only work there 2 times a month or so, and do not hesitate to write them up!

It went on like this for 1 year, I got on in probation at work, and another in a final notice. Why do nurses eat their young? She was mad because I was an RN, young, and finishing my BSN. They did it off of jealousy.

My DON told me they cried and wanted to know if I was replacing them... They were afraid.

Things cooled off, they stopped the drama, however, there is a new grad male nurse, who is suffering in their hands, I will make sure he doesn't go through what I did.

Jolie, BSN · Nov 12, 2011

There is a specific definition of workplace harassment. Please familiarize yourself with it. Throwing around serious accusations because someone does not like you is not only inaccurate, it won't help your situation.

Definition of Workplace Harassment and Criteria for "Hostile Work Environment"

http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/unde...ment-fcc-staff

Understanding Workplace Harassment (FCC Staff)

Workplace Harassment is a Form of Discrimination

Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (whether or not of a sexual nature and including same-gender harassment and gender identity harassment), national origin, age (40 and over), disability (mental or physical), sexual orientation, or retaliation (sometimes collectively referred to as “legally protected characteristics”) constitutes harassment when:

1.The conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile work environment; or

2.A supervisor’s harassing conduct results in a tangible change in an employee’s employment status or benefits (for example, demotion, termination, failure to promote, etc.).

Hostile work environment harassment occurs when unwelcome comments or conduct based on sex, race or other legally protected characteristics unreasonably interferes with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Anyone in the workplace might commit this type of harassment – a management official, co-worker, or non-employee, such as a contractor, vendor or guest. The victim can be anyone affected by the conduct, not just the individual at whom the offensive conduct is directed.

sabatical · Nov 16, 2011

thank you 9 lives. You understood my situation.

It seems I am in for the long haul, because I do not have a second job right now. I think they might be jealous that I am probably the only one in the building with a BScN.

the comments are not against race, or sex, or gender, but just nasty little disrespectful remarks.

thanks for you story,

Someone believes me !!!

sabatical · Nov 16, 2011

thanks Jolie,

I am writing up the documentation right now. I forget certain dates, and of course, I guess it is not considered "harassment" if it is not based on race , gender, or sex etc.

However, but how about demeaning comments and actions ?

Isn't that harassment ?