I was gonna post this in the "things you would love to tell coworkers" thread, but I thought "gee, I can't be the ONLY one that works with people like these!" OK, I'll go first.
I had a couple instances last night with the same coworker (CNA). The first one was when she called and asked if our float aide was available to help with a patient. I explained that he was not available at the present time, but that I would ask him to go over as soon as he was free. She gets rude and irate telling me "I didn't ask as soon as he was free, I asked if he was available. You are rude and disrespectful blah blah blah blah..." I politely asked her not to talk to me that way and repeated that I would let the float aide know to come help her. She got huffy and hung up.
Second incident happened a couple hours later at shift change...She had left her papers and napkins and stuff cluttered on my desk area. Again, politely, with no raised voice or anything of the sort, I asked her if she would please pick up her stuff so everything was clean when day shift came in. She again got rude and irate, saying I was disrespectful and "I am not your child...you have no right to talk to me that way!" and then starts putting her finger in my face.
The kicker was a few minutes later she tells the charge that a maintenance request needed put in. She says, "you need to ask Mikey for that" Then she gets pouty and says "Oh, then it just won't be done. I said "Nope, it sure won't!"
VENT:
Dear 50 year old CNA that acts like she's 2...do not, under ANY circumstances, call me rude and disrespectful when I have been anything BUT that to you. If you EVER stick that dirty, nasty, crusty-nailed finger in my face again I WILL snap it off at the knuckle!! It is NOT my job to clean up after you, and if you insist on ACTING like a child, you will be TREATED accordingly!!
Some persons might take offense to my views. Unfortunately, the solution often involves playing hardball: you need to send insubordinate CNAs/techs home.
CNAs are not the most handsomely paid employees, and some depend on a full paycheck to cover the bills. Hence, a short paycheck can mean the difference between remaining afloat or falling behind on the rent.
The strategy is to strike the mouthy, disrespectful workers where it hurts (read: their paycheck). After suffering a couple of blows to the pocketbook, the affected worker will start following your directives and complying to work rules without giving you lip.
I'd like to mention that all of us who punch time clocks that do not belong to us for a living must follow our employer's work rules and be compliant, or else we will not be employed for long. If these are concepts to which some of our coworkers take offense, then the solution is to stay home, be their own bosses and start businesses so that no one else has authority over them.
An individual who is playing childish games and not doing his/her job effectively does not deserve to continue to remain on the clock for not fulfilling work duties. This is called living in the real world of adults. Those of us who are serious about being paid for the services we render will complete the work necessary to receive our paychecks. Our childish coworkers who do not comprehend the adult world in which we live can either get with the program or go home.
As harsh as it seems, I stand by my idea to send insubordinate CNAs home. It is a tried and true technique that works wondrously in prompting mouthy employees to drop the child's play and start doing their jobs.
I wonder...would his/her organization even back them up??
It is so hard to confront others but when they are tormenting patients or what they refuse to do impacts patient care it is time to confront them. They would not want to be treated in a disrespectful way, so that is one way to approach them. " How would they like it if. . . . . . . . . was said to them?" Have them put themselves in the patient's shoes/bed. Keep track of how many times you have to confront someone and if it is becoming a routine thing I would let the manager know. She is suppose to handle any staff issues.
I like your comment...I work in a very busy ER and have to deal with many staff members that act like children and leave messes everywhere and when I ask them to pick up after themselves ...I'm the one with attitude. So many staff I see come to work...take out the cell phones and start chatting...this job is not supposed to be a social club....we are here to take care of sick patients....sometimes I want to yell..get off your butts and answer the call lights and medicate your patient that's been waiting for their pain meds for hours. I also overhear my fellow RNs complain about their jobs, about management, about minor things....sometimes I have to leave the breakroom bcc it's too much. I know times are changing...times are tough but we are RNs and we're here to do a job and we get paid well to do it.
Eh, don't poke the bear. Without the support of the people who CAN do something more than ask co-workers to clean up after themselves, it is like spitting in the wind--
The best is a manager who says "If the counters/breakroom are not left clean, things will be thrown out by the end of the shift." And they are. No exceptions.
And there's more than a few clerks who in fact wipe everything down before they even sit down. Germ phobia, perhaps, but I appreciate it and tell them so.
Specializes in long term care, alzheimer's, ltc rehab.
Eh, don't poke the bear. Without the support of the people who CAN do something more than ask co-workers to clean up after themselves, it is like spitting in the wind--
The best is a manager who says "If the counters/breakroom are not left clean, things will be thrown out by the end of the shift." And they are. No exceptions.
And there's more than a few clerks who in fact wipe everything down before they even sit down. Germ phobia, perhaps, but I appreciate it and tell them so.
Every once in a while when I get the chance I will grab some alcohol pads and or bleach wipes and scrub down the desk, the phones, everything. Also an update, the coworker in question has been giving me the silent treatment ever since this whole episode...not having to hear her attitude is fine with me though :-)
mc3, ASN, RN
931 Posts
I wonder...would his/her organization even back them up??
mc3:cat: