A cold-hearted manager

Nurses General Nursing

Published

One of my coworkers (L) called in this week because her dad is in the hospital. He had a heart attack. My coworker called to let the managers know that she like to take some time off. The manager took the call at the nurses station while a bunch of us were around and proceeds to yell at L on the phone. She told L that her request NEEDS to be preapproved and blah blah. It was really unprofessional of the manager to yell like that and make a scene. I walked away but could still hear L being ripped a new one :(

FYI: Remind all family/pets/friends that their emergencies are to only OCCUR after preapproval. Gotcha :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I'm assuming L doesn't chronically have family emergencies. It never ceases to amaze me that hospitals never understand that employees and their families have medical emergencies and illnesses too. I'm trying really hard to not wish some payback for your manager.

L is a good worker and does not have a history of sick calls/work drama.

Specializes in Home Health/Hospice.

Last year, in March, my father was in ICU, my boss did the same thing, yelled at me that she had no nurses to cover my 2 day a week night shift and I had no permission to go. Eventually when he was getting worse, I told her basically to kiss my you know what and that I was going.

sometimes we have to stand up for ourselves.

i've been yelled at when I've had to go to the ER because of tachycardia, but you know I just let it slide off my back now as I know her karma will come and kick her up the rear end eventually and I cannot wait to witness it.

Many years ago at ahealthcare corporation I was working for (my first degree), a coworker of mine received a phone call that her mother had been found dead. She had committed suicide. This coworker started shaking and burst into tears. We helped her to call her husband to come pick her up from work and all, my immediate manager encouraged this. 15 minutes after we put her in the car and she left, one of our sales guys storms in absolutely livid to not find her working on his project. We informed him of the events, and all he could say was, "Can't I get a professional to work on this project!!! W,T,F!!!"

Many years ago at ahealthcare corporation I was working for (my first degree), a coworker of mine received a phone call that her mother had been found dead. She had committed suicide. This coworker started shaking and burst into tears. We helped her to call her husband to come pick her up from work and all, my immediate manager encouraged this. 15 minutes after we put her in the car and she left, one of our sales guys storms in absolutely livid to not find her working on his project. We informed him of the events, and all he could say was, "Can't I get a professional to work on this project!!! W,T,F!!!"

Unbelievable. What a reptile!

On the last unit I worked on, one of the nurses came up to our floor after her aunt passed away on the oncology unit downstairs. She informed our nurse manager that she would need 2 bereavement days for that week and our manager's response was "Oh s**t, you've got to be kidding me"

She did later apologize to the nurse for saying that, but come on....use your brain before you open your mouth.

FMLA? For your own mental health if not covered by "primary caregiver of family member."

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Some managers behave as if once your in...they own you. So sad

i had a similar incident today. Urgh, some people can be so mean

Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

ME: resigned with notice in HH job cause Father was dying in FL and I worked in TN..NM told me I was irresponsible and needed to put my job first.....I still worked notice and left.. Good thing as my mother had the "guts" to fall apart after he died and then her lung cancer of 3 yrs got worse and she needed me to care for her for 6 months before she then died. AS it was totally not approved and without notice I would have been past "irresponsible" I am sure. Yes I am counting on karma!!

Specializes in Non-Oncology Infusion currently.

I realize the upset, stress, and anxiety evoked by reporting disruptive behavior in the work place......BUT if no one reports it, and folks WAIT for someone else to do it.......said behavior WILL continue. Believe me....I DID report someone who is higher in the food chain than I am........was very nervous about doing it. END RESULT: others must have chimed in and reported this person as well, because this person's behavior has done a 180!!! We have a very open and good working relationship now. I realize things don't always work out this way, I consider myself fortunate.:twocents:

Write up the incident anonomously and leave it with HR. Or go one up the chain of command and leave the details with them. I TOTALLY understand being too afraid for your job, especially in this economy.

BTW, type this up, don't hand write it. Just in case.

Specializes in ICU stepdown/ICU.

I can't believe that anyone would expect an employee to prioritize their job over family! At the end of the day I know my family will be there for me....not my job. I feel terrible for your coworker....hope she finds a new job and leaves your boss a nurse short!

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