BULLYING at work as Usual

[CardiTeleRN]

So long story short without giving too many specific details, I provided a doctor's excuse to cover a certain amount of days but was told by the nurse supervisor that doctor excuses are not acceptable to cover absences. Only COVID related illnesses and testing excuse absences - without a doctor's note. This is not written in the policy.

Policy states documented/approved absences will be excused. I feel this is a clear cut case of intimidation. I could be wrong. I really try not to jump to conclusions but this feels like plain intimidating tactics. 

Thoughts??

[Sour Lemon]

1 hour ago, CardiTeleRN said:

Hello!

 

So long story short without giving too many specific details, I provided a doctor's excuse to cover a certain amount of days but was told by the nurse supervisor that doctor excuses are not acceptable to cover absences. Only COVID related illnesses and testing excuse absences - without a doctor's note. This is not written in the policy. Policy states documented/approved absences will be excused. I feel this is a clear cut case of intimidation. I could be wrong. I really try not to jump to conclusions but this feels like plain intimidating tactics. 

 

Thoughts?????

It sounds pretty standard, to me. Unless someone's on actual medical leave, I've never seen a doctor's note considered a "get out of jail free" card. They are handed out like candy, and employers realize this.

When you say the policy is, "documented/approved absences will be excused", who is doing the approving? If it's the employer, then there you go. If it's not the employer, then who is it?

I think the issue is that everyone has medical issues, or young children, or elderly parents, etc. But as floor nurses, an essential part of our job is to take care of sick patients. It's not bullying when an employer expects you to do the work you were hired to do ...just like it's not bullying when you expect to get paid for your work.

I was once in a position where I felt like I could not do my job, and I did go on medical leave. Perhaps that's an option for you? If not, would it be possible to look for a non-clinical position?

 

[CardiTeleRN, BSN]

47 minutes ago, Sour Lemon said:

It sounds pretty standard, to me. Unless someone's on actual medical leave, I've never seen a doctor's note considered a "get out of jail free" card. They are handed out like candy, and employers realize this.

When you say the policy is, "documented/approved absences will be excused", who is doing the approving? If it's the employer, then there you go. If it's not the employer, then who is it?

I think the issue is that everyone has medical issues, or young children, or elderly parents, etc. But as floor nurses, an essential part of our job is to take care of sick patients. It's not bullying when an employer expects you to do the work you were hired to do ...just like it's not bullying when you expect to get paid for your work.

I was once in a position where I felt like I could not do my job, and I did go on medical leave. Perhaps that's an option for you? If not, would it be possible to look for a non-clinical position?

 

Thats the issue. Employers lash out at the wrong people. I don't give them any problems. This is the first time out of many years I have ever said no. I have worked all hour shifts, every day. Holidays, weekends, gave up my life for this. Worked short, worked without supplies, etc. I don't have to sacrifice myself for a manager who is not willing to do the same. 

I don't know who is doing the approving. It is all subjective and they are deciding to lean towards to the negative side. I have already accepted another position that I start the end of Dec that is not acute care. Thank God; however, I did not want to leave my current job on bad terms. 

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

15 hours ago, Sour Lemon said:

It sounds pretty standard, to me. Unless someone's on actual medical leave, I've never seen a doctor's note considered a "get out of jail free" card. They are handed out like candy, and employers realize this.

This, completely. I have never ever worked anywhere where that's all you needed. It would be used and abused by majority of people. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Please don't use and abuse the word "bullied". It dilutes the meaning and when people actually are bullied, it's just another "cry bully."

Not getting what you want or being treated unfairly (in your estimation), those things do not constitute bullying.

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

This may be unfair. It may violate their own policies. It is not bullying. 

[Nunya, BSN]

You have another job.  Give your notice now, you can give more than 2 weeks.  If you feel you're being treated unfairly make a complaint, but since you're leaving they may not care, but at least it's out there.  And remember, every supervisor has a supervisor...

Edit: but realize if you file a complaint you'll probably not ever be rehired there....

[Closed Account 12345]

I don't see this as bullying or intimidation.  Unless you are covered by an approved medical leave, like FMLA, you must be able to meet the requirements of your job. 

If you decide you are unwilling/unable to care for the patients in your assigned units, and your employer wouldn't benefit from shifting you to the areas of your preference, then I think the onus to find a more appropriate work environment is on you. 

That's not picking on you or being rude; healthcare is a business. Frankly, it doesn't matter if others have received a different response than you. They may have had different circumstances, and only management and HR may be fully aware of those circumstances.  Your employer's policy to excuse absences for employees who were out sick with a doctor's note is a different situation entirely. A doctor can't just willy nilly excuse you from performing your job duties for the long haul. Even if you are approved for FMLA, you will only qualify for 12 weeks of unpaid job protection in the calendar year. At the end of 12 weeks, if you aren't willing to work in your hired role and complete your assigned duties, your employer could cut you loose... and understandably so! They'd need to fill your spot with an RN who is willing and able to work where needed.

With that said, I agree with you that you shouldn't sacrifice your physical or mental health by working in a unit where you feel your life is endangered. I'd begin looking for positions that you feel you can safely perform and apply to those. Good luck!

Edit: I just saw your comment saying you already have a non-clinical job lined up for next month. Congratulations! Hopefully you can put in your 2 week notice right away and enjoy a nice Christmas break before starting the new gig.

[CardiTeleRN, BSN]

5 minutes ago, Closed Account 12345 said:

I don't see this as bullying or intimidation.  Unless you are covered by an approved medical leave, like FMLA, you must be able to meet the requirements of your job. 

If you decide you are unwilling/unable to care for the patients in your assigned units, and your employer wouldn't benefit from shifting you to the areas of your preference, then I think the onus to find a more appropriate work environment is on you. 

That's not picking on you or being rude; healthcare is a business. Frankly, it doesn't matter if others have received a different response than you. They may have had different circumstances, and only management and HR may be fully aware of those circumstances.  Your employer's policy to excuse absences for employees who were out sick with a doctor's note is a different situation entirely. A doctor can't just willy nilly excuse you from performing your job duties for the long haul. Even if you are approved for FMLA, you will only qualify for 12 weeks of unpaid job protection in the calendar year. At the end of 12 weeks, if you aren't willing to work in your hired role and complete your assigned duties, your employer could cut you loose... and understandably so! They'd need to fill your spot with an RN who is willing and able to work where needed.

With that said, I agree with you that you shouldn't sacrifice your physical or mental health by working in a unit where you feel your life is endangered. I'd begin looking for positions that you feel you can safely perform and apply to those. Good luck!

 

Thanks!

 

Technically, Covid isn’t in my job requirement. I didn’t sign up to work on an infectious disease unit either; however, I understand that I may come across infectious diseases. Known ones. To be forced to do work COVID when I have moderately controlled asthma is beyond me. Other staff members have blatantly refused with no punishment. I have found other employment though. I start in a few weeks, thank God. I won’t have to deal with things like this soon. 

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

This is not bullying,you can not force your issue on administration.This reminds me of nursing students who would  get a doctors note saying they were  so asthmatic in order to get front line parking, yet they would chain smoke .

[CardiTeleRN, BSN]

1 hour ago, Leader25 said:

This is not bullying,you can not force your issue on administration.This reminds me of nursing students who would  get a doctors note saying they were  so asthmatic in order to get front line parking, yet they would chain smoke .

This is the most bias statement I’ve ever read. How on Earth is my health condition related to someone lying to get in front of a line when there is researched proof to back my claims?

I’m sorry but that was a horrible comparison. My health condition is listed as a high risk condition for poor outcomes if I were to contract COVID. I’m not making anything up. I’m not taking any chances. I’m not sacrificing myself due to bias management. It’s simple. More nurses need to start standing up for themselves. 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Stepping in with my own 2 cents. I'am 57 and have 3 co-morbid conditions. Moderately Controlled Asthma, Inflamatory Bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes. By all accounts I am in the moderate to high risk for contracting Covid 19. I work psych and if you didn't know, some psych facilities have infection rates that are as high as some skilled nursing facilities. 

I met with my boss early on as I am allready on intermittant FMLA and we wanted to talk about my current assignment. I work with a specific patient population known to be at low to moderate risk. But I still go to work everyday that I am scheduled and the past two days we have had two patients who are on PUI status. I talked to my physician who told me that as long as I am wearing appropriate PPE and practicing good hygiene both at work and at home My risk were still low. Any leave I take is unpaid per my FMLA and I got bills to pay or in the words of Walt Disney "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go." Frankly I'd be at far greater risk if I stayed home with my husband because we would probably end up killing eachother. 

Nurses take care of sick people and I have never seen an acute medical position to say that not caring for people with a certain condition was allowed. Cribes with my co-morbids I'm a higher risk to catch anything. It is not bullying to ask you to do your job. Taking care of Covid 19 patients during an unprecedented pandemic would easily fall under the "Other duties as assigned" section of any contract. Also there is no law that requires an employer to accept a physician's note though they certainly may ask for one.

I am glad you are moving out of direct patient care and hope you do well in your future endevours.

Hppy

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 11/29/2020 at 5:32 PM, hppygr8ful said:

Stepping in with my own 2 cents. I'am 57 and have 3 co-morbid conditions. Moderately Controlled Asthma, Inflamatory Bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes. By all accounts I am in the moderate to high risk for contracting Covid 19. I work psych and if you didn't know, some psych facilities have infection rates that are as high as some skilled nursing facilities. 

I met with my boss early on as I am allready on intermittant FMLA and we wanted to talk about my current assignment. I work with a specific patient population known to be at low to moderate risk. But I still go to work everyday that I am scheduled and the past two days we have had two patients who are on PUI status. I talked to my physician who told me that as long as I am wearing appropriate PPE and practicing good hygiene both at work and at home My risk were still low. Any leave I take is unpaid per my FMLA and I got bills to pay or in the words of Walt Disney "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go." Frankly I'd be at far greater risk if I stayed home with my husband because we would probably end up killing eachother. 

Nurses take care of sick people and I have never seen an acute medical position to say that not caring for people with a certain condition was allowed. Cribes with my co-morbids I'm a higher risk to catch anything. It is not bullying to ask you to do your job. Taking care of Covid 19 patients during an unprecedented pandemic would easily fall under the "Other duties as assigned" section of any contract. Also there is no law that requires an employer to accept a physician's note though they certainly may ask for one.

I am glad you are moving out of direct patient care and hope you do well in your future endevours.

Hppy

I might also state that I went to work today to find I was not assigned to my unit where I am core staff - but to a higher acuity adult unot where risks are higher. I did my job as assigned and didi not complained (well not alot anyway.) Hopefully I'll be back in my home unit tomorrow.