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??

[CardiTeleRN, BSN]

23 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:

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.

On 11/29/2020 at 8:32 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

Thank you for the well wishes. The problem is employers have brain washed nurses into believing risking our lives to unprecedented extremes is our job. The nurses who are willing to step up and risk their lives are extremely brave and deserve extra compensation/acknowledgement because it is NOT a part of our job description. It is NOT something we should casually work with. Pandemic or not, it is NOT a situation that every nurse should be forced into working. I’m not a sheep and never will be one. I want to go home to my family in one peace like everyone else. I want to help my patients, not kill myself helping them. Nursing should not be a sacrificing field. Why is it that other lines of public service professions have less sacrificial expectations of them? The police aren’t asked to place themselves in high risk situations without fully being aware of what to expect while armed with paint ball guns. Why is nursing such a dangerous line of work now? Even before the pandemic. The pandemic has been the cherry for me.

[KyBeagle, ASN]

On 11/29/2020 at 8:32 PM, hppygr8ful said:

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.

I have moderately controlled asthma & work in a busy ED. At the moment, approximately 40% of our admissions are COVID +.

I’m in contact with R/O COVID & COVID patients every shift that I work and wear the appropriate PPE. I’ve not had any issues the past 8 months of COVID season. In fact, I’ve actually had LESS symptoms with my Asthma this year than the past 10-15 years. I attribute this to not being triggered by allergens or chemicals that may trigger wheezing (think-  hospital cleaning supplies) since I’m wearing a mask so often.

Hppy- 

I laughed OUT LOUD at your reply. I’ve both read & interacted on this site for several years now. And this was the FIRST time that actually read something aloud to my husband... who ALSO laughed  & agreed with you. Yes- the health & well-being of BOTH my husband & myself are much safer with me working in a COVID unit than staying at home. Both of us working outside the home is what’s probably helped us achieve a strong, 24 year marriage, LOL! 

[SarHat17, ASN, RN]

On 11/26/2020 at 7:30 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

Well at my employment, they actually have a policy in place that allows exemptions for those with chronic illnesses. There is just a process that needs to be completed such as completing the exemption form and having a PCP complete the form to basically verify such conditions actually exists. Then there is a processing time that's actually pretty short, less than a week. The issue is, my nurse supervisor does not want to honor my excuse that clearly states the absences are related to this.

 

Have you started/completed the process to follow that policy? I'm sorry if I missed further explanation, but if you have completed all the steps to be officially exempted (per policy), then I would ask for further clarification why the nurse manager is not following the facility policy. If they don't have a good reason for this, go a step higher in the chain.

If you haven't completed this process, and have only a PCP note, then you may have to go to HR and specifically find out where you stand until you can complete the exemption process.

Don't get bogged down in other people's perceived situations; there are often whole processes and policies being followed in the background to address other people's infractions. I would not recommend using examples of what co-workers are "getting away with" when you speak with administration about your situation.

Good luck with everything!

[MelissaPendergraft]

Through the thread you clarified that your physician provided you with a note exempting you from caring for covid patients. This is not a doctor’s note to excuse an absence as you originally stated. The hospital should have a policy regarding the possibility of an exemption. Have you looked into it and followed it and been denied without cause through proper channels? If not, this is not bullying. This is you not getting  your way. 

[Emergent, RN]

So, what about notes for nurses with vulnerable family members at home? Should they also get exempted from caring for Covid + pts?

A former coworker lost her husband to covid that she likely brought home, since he was on disability and she worked. 

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

On 11/26/2020 at 8:19 PM, MunoRN said:

Employers can require a doctor's note for illness absences but they aren't required to allow a doctor to dictate how they should view the absence with the exception of FMLA.

This is true. I know the healthcare system I work for doesn’t accept doctors notes for anything....not for hospitalizations or any other major or minor illness. It may seem unfair (and this is coming from someone with a severe chronic illness) but sometimes you just have to accept that’s how it is. The one exception is APPROVED FMLA but even this has to go through HR and be approved to excuse any absences. Is it fair? No not really but it’s just how it is and sometimes we have to “roll with the punches” to be a bit cliche’

[Megan1977, MSN, EdD, RN]

On 11/26/2020 at 5:30 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

Well at my employment, they actually have a policy in place that allows exemptions for those with chronic illnesses. There is just a process that needs to be completed such as completing the exemption form and having a PCP complete the form to basically verify such conditions actually exists. Then there is a processing time that's actually pretty short, less than a week. The issue is, my nurse supervisor does not want to honor my excuse that clearly states the absences are related to this.

 

There is an employee who is constantly absence for obvious excuse "car broke down, car won't start, kid sick, they're sick" and nothing has come of it. 

I don't want to be that guy that points; however, I am obviously being bullied. This is OBVIOUS. Especially if we are entertaining the idea that the absences are up to the supervisor's discretion.

This is not bullying- your hospital has a procedure/policy in place for Covid accommodations - you haven’t completed the process, yet fault the employer. Many nurses have underlying conditions that make them more prone to Covid. Start the exemption/accommodation process or leave. And stop playing the victim card- it is not a good look. 

[S.I.C.]

Hi everyone!

How do you define "bullying" in the context of nursing practice?  I guess we face this problem without really understanding it, and without knowing what to do about it? 

What acts/words/gestures suggest that you are bullied, and what would be the best way to prove it and seek for help?

[Buddy Christ]

On 11/26/2020 at 7:47 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

 

If your boss denies you time off then just call in sick like everyone else. If she doesn't like it then she can cry about it. Odds are pretty low they'll fire you over being sick unless you've already been reprimanded many times. Like that other nurse said, there's a major nursing shortage and they probably really need you

[S.I.C.]

Hi Buddy Christ,

When you are s student and you are able to perform well and have good grades, you feel very happy and fulfilled and this has a positive impact to all of your life.  You achieve good grades because of many factors including good teachers, good classmates, of course your IQ, and some other motivating factors.  In this case, successful student life is a great life asset for you. Likewise, when you work as a nurse and be able to fulfill your responsibilities very well, makes you very happy, and this positively impacts your life, and increases your longevity.  To perform well at work; depends on many factors as well, including your boss, colleagues, the type of work, family members, types of patients, the amount of stress you are exposed to, and so forth. As a nurse, you spend most of your life at work.  Sometimes, even when you are a home, you think about your work.  A certain of work reflection comes back to you even when you go to bed. Therefore, a good boss can make you have good days, and live longer, and likewise, a bad boss can seriously shorten not only your work life, but even your whole life.

Another good way to deal with a bad nursing boss, is to know exactly when and how to leave.  Sometimes, it is better to give up something in life, in order to gain more insights and experience a better life.  There are not walls to shut off problems, wherever we go we meet bad bosses; but when you are exposed to a bad boss for long time; in the the end you will be the looser.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

On 11/26/2020 at 7:40 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

Well, there are other criteria that we have listed. Plus, there are plenty of young people with cancer DX, pulomonary fibrosis, etc, that will put them at risk. People still have to work and pay bills but no where in our contract does it state, we HAVE to work with COVID/pandemic related patient populations. Things should not be assumed. If we are to assume things, then I could easily assume my doctor's note could excuse my absence. I am not sure why cynical health care systems feel they have the right to be subjective when they feel like it. 

Also, everyone under 55 should not be assumed to be "healthy". I've met way more healthy 55+ year olds than younger people these days. 

The bolded sentence is where you you lost me. I've never heard of a contract that specifies a particular patient population a nurse doesn't have to work with based on patient diagnosis. I doubt if I ever will hear of such a contract stipulation, as least I hope not!  Frankly complaining that taking care of COVID patients isn't "in the contract" makes you sound pretty entitled and definitely made me less sympathetic to your cause.

[S.I.C.]

We, nurses are ready to work for every patient including COVID-19 patients, HIV-AIDS patients, Patients with tuberculosis, leprosy and other highly contagious diseases.  There is not contract in the word that would exclude any particular group of patients from our care. What would happen if these patients are from my own family?  Whether related to me or not, all patients are my clients whom I have to care of with empathy, sympathy, compassion and love without any kind or prejudice based on their diagnosis, geographic origin, gender, race, religion and so forth. At least, this is my position and understanding of roles as nurses.