This is not an attention-seeking post, something I see a lot of people here accusing others of doing. I am not even asking for advice. Just venting.
I am ganged up against, by a certain background of staff (certain native country) who make up the majority of my workplace. I know it doesn't make any sense, why am I still there. I am there because I love my residents, my company as a whole.
I just wish there would be something they do about this bullying and retaliation (when they found out I c/o about it).
The DON makes me feel like I am the problem, by ignoring even my written statement. She actually gets mad at if I ever say anything about it!
I would get in detail, but I don't want even this innocent venting post to be used against me.
The co-workers in question speak creole around me, in front of me, in front of patients. They act aggressively. I understand basic French and I more or less understand what they're saying.
They ran so many nurses out of that place, I refuse to leave. Let them find a reason to fire me, they don't have one.
Do you need these nurses or staff people to do your job? More than likely you don’t. Ignore them and do your job. Don’t let the likes of people like that run you away from a job you like. That’s what they want and I wouldn’t let them mess with my money or job opportunity unless they were somehow able to put my license at risk. Run from here and likely you’ll always be running because no place is perfect and you’ll just encounter the same type of people somewhere else. There are difficult people and cliques in every job. It may be hard not to feel supported and have to deal with wannabe workplace bullies, but in today’s time I feel you’ve got to stand up for yourself regardless of being seen as an outcast. People love to pick with someone that they believe is timid. This isn’t grade school and some people need a professional reminder to grow up. Maybe you can tell your DON again and be sure to put it in writing. If all else fails. Next, although uncomfortable, I believe you have to begin to address your bullies head on. In a professional way of course. People often don’t know how to take that when they’re use to someone being passive. What’s the worst they can do for you speaking your mind and standing up for yourself? At the end of the day, you don’t have to take these people home with you and what they think doesn’t count in the grander scheme of things.
Sounds like all the Filipinos I’ve had the “pleasure” of working with. They do they exact same thing you are describing. If I were you, I would quit unless you have no other options. Personally I think they should be fired for speaking any language other than English at work. This America and the common language is ENGLISH. If you can’t communicate properly IN ENGLISH at a job where it is absolutely essential such as healthcare, then you need to either learn the language or get out.
So sorry for what you are going through. I have been in the same situation and decided to handle it my way. I tried to talk to the DON on multiple times and she would also say. Pick your battles. I finally told her if I wanted to be in a constant battle I would have joined the military. So, I decided to start documenting things in what I called my jerk journal. I also decided that when I wanted to react to something I would start singing or humming a favorite song or if possible just walk off. When I would come back I would just smile and keep working. It drove them crazy. I also said the required pleasantries such as Hello!, Only ask and answered job related questions. It was hard, but after a few months, they were so curious with what was going on they tried to be nice and try and get me to respond. I only smiled. I did this for 14 years and retired just recently. My resignation letter was brief and to the point. The way I could do this is started my day with a Prayer, asking God to guide me, let me cause no harm to myself (with my mouth), or others. I also remembered that I was just making my eight hours. These people had proven they had no value in my life other than being a co-worker. They finally realized once I decided to retire that they needed me to show them how to do some of the job duties that were my responsibility. Well, unfortunately, for some odd reason, I never could find the time. I made sure of it. Now, those same people who made my life Hell are calling or texting me asking for help. I don't answer.
Good Luck to you, Wishing you the best if you decide to stay. You will have to decide if staying is what is best for you and your family.
100% agree with this post. I lived this and did the same with the same outcome. You make your bed so now you have to lie in it.
Been bullied at work creates awful pressure and stress. A stressful work environment increases risk for error.
The person in charge doesn't want to hear about the bullying because she thinks she needs the bullies. She isn't interested in justice.
I liked the idea of sticking Trump stickies on their cars.
Finding a good job isn't easy - but staying around to be bullied isn't good either. Not good for your self esteem and clearly not a safe work environment.?
Sounds like all the Filipinos I’ve had the “pleasure” of working with. They do they exact same thing you are describing. If I were you, I would quit unless you have no other options. Personally I think they should be fired for speaking any language other than English at work. This America and the common language is ENGLISH. If you can’t communicate properly IN ENGLISH at a job where it is absolutely essential such as healthcare, then you need to either learn the language or get out.
Looks like you have a problem. In the past, it was the Germans were targeted.
But I'm kind of shocked about the number of responses on this post targeting nurses from different ethnicities (Haitian? I guess because they speak Creole, Fillipinos etc.) Questioning the legitimacy of their license? What does bullying culture have anything to do with their ethnicity or the language they speak?
Bullying culture is UNIVERSAL in nursing and I've worked in areas with all ethnicities (Fillipino, African, Caribbean, Asian) where the nurses were AMAZING and still at times spoke their native language amongst themselves.
I've also worked with nurses who were born and raised in the U.S. and downright nasty and possessed the bullying/cliqueish ways you've described.
Quite frankly, apart from the fact they spoke Creole around you, you didn't specifically state what they've done to you to make you feel uncomfortable.
Are they not helpful on the unit? Have they tried to throw your under the bus regarding your patients? Have they tried to lie to you or say derogatory things? Does the discomfort come from maybe somewhat feeling like that minority amongst a group of nurses from a specific cultural group? Have you spoken to at least ONE of the nurses to understand the nuances of their culture? Maybe they don't feel comfortable around you because of your interactions with them?
As others mentioned, I would strongly suggest leaving this unit if you do not feel like your issues are being addressed. Don't try to stick it out because you are trying to prove to yourself that they can't drive you out. Nevertheless their ethnicity/language shouldn't play a factor in your decision to leave.
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
OP
Your post comes off as racist.
That may be holding you back with the DON.
I'm not saying they aren't bullying you. But speaking creole in your presence isn't bullying behavior. And when you are complaining about a group of people bullying you, its important not to point out their nationality or race if they happen to have a common one.
I'm not saying they aren't bullying you. But speaking creole in your presence isn't bullying behavior. And when you are complaining about a group of people bullying you, its important not to point out their nationality or race if they happen to have a common one.
Many facilities just outright BAN staff's foreign language speaking in pt care areas. It's written into P&P, employee handbooks, taught in mandatory Resident Rights inservice, etc. Of course, it will be difficult to enforce when the DON is violating the rules also! Tough to address!
I do know once where it was enough of a problem to cause a facility repercussions. I know it to have been addressed during a yearly State survey. The survey noted residents' complaints of staff freq talking in another language in their presence. A state surveyor had privately attended a Residents' Council meeting where the issue was brought up, AGAIN, as per several meeting minutes. The facility had NEVER addressed the minutes, like it was supposed to. So the State noted it. (Don't remember if it was a citation or not, but the facility clamped down on foreign languages thereafter!)
It's one thing for staff to be chit-chatting quietly among themselves while away in a corner. But it should always be prohibited in front of pts (esp those confused/demented ones, or psych pts).
OP - if you're sure that they're talking about you, it will next to impossible to prove, and then to correct. So your options are to 'live with it' or 'leave it'. It will also be difficult to prove a 'bullying workplace environment' without tons of supporting evidence.
But I'm kind of shocked about the number of responses on this post targeting nurses from different ethnicities (Haitian? I guess because they speak Creole, Fillipinos etc.) Questioning the legitimacy of their license? What does bullying culture have anything to do with their ethnicity or the language they speak?
Bullying culture is UNIVERSAL in nursing and I've worked in areas with all ethnicities (Fillipino, African, Caribbean, Asian) where the nurses were AMAZING and still at times spoke their native language amongst themselves.
I've also worked with nurses who were born and raised in the U.S. and downright nasty and possessed the bullying/cliqueish ways you've described.
Quite frankly, apart from the fact they spoke Creole around you, you didn't specifically state what they've done to you to make you feel uncomfortable.
Are they not helpful on the unit? Have they tried to throw your under the bus regarding your patients? Have they tried to lie to you or say derogatory things? Does the discomfort come from maybe somewhat feeling like that minority amongst a group of nurses from a specific cultural group? Have you spoken to at least ONE of the nurses to understand the nuances of their culture? Maybe they don't feel comfortable around you because of your interactions with them?
As others mentioned, I would strongly suggest leaving this unit if you do not feel like your issues are being addressed. Don't try to stick it out because you are trying to prove to yourself that they can't drive you out. Nevertheless their ethnicity/language shouldn't play a factor in your decision to leave.
The point is is that they are working in the United States where the main language is ENGLISH at a facility where the main language is ENGLISH! What is it with you liberals not understanding this? The people I’m talking about come to this country, make no effort to assimilate to American culture or learn the language and still expect everyone to treat them equally. They act like they are owed something. Well I’m sorry but I don’t owe them anything.
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maryellen12
51 Posts
You need to find another job now. They will find a way to get rid of you - it seems this is what they want.