experience with a hostile work environment

Wuzzie · Jul 8

The problem with trying to make a case is that if you are not part of a protected class and/or the hostility is not focused on whatever makes you part of that class then you cannot make a "hostile work environment" claim. In other words, people can be mean to you pretty much all they want and you don't have any legal recourse. I wish I hadn't had to find this out for myself but I did.

JohnHood, BSN · Jul 9

Yes, late in my career. I became a RN Case Manager. Shortly after they hired a new manager. Everything was fine until she found out I made more than her. Then she tried everything she could to fire me and make my life miserable. I was on an FMLA after a CVA. I arranged my follow up visits with doctors on my days off. She changed my schedule so that I would have to burn my PTO to go to my appointments. My complaints to HR fell on deaf ears. Some took months to get. I wound up taking a medical leave of absence and retiring on disability with chronic angina and a CVA.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 9

Wuzzie said:

In other words, people can be mean to you pretty much all they want and you don't have any legal recourse.

What about defamation/libel? I have had some interaction with our internal department that does accommodations for protected individuals. They are looking into whether this is related to an earlier issue

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 9

JohnHood said:

Some took months to get. I wound up taking a medical leave of absence and retiring on disability with chronic angina and a CVA.

I'm so sorry. I do have an upper management person with an axe to grind against me. I think I am just going to leave if I can get a job. I can't afford to stop working yet. I need 5 1/2 years for PSLF and I would love to try and work until I am 67 (just turned 60) for Medicare and SS benefits.

Wuzzie · Jul 9

mmc51264 said:

What about defamation/libel? I have had some interaction with our internal department that does accommodations for protected individuals. They are looking into whether this is related to an earlier issue

If you can prove damages you might have a case but this would be different than a hostile work environment unless you are in a protected class. Also, litigating a defamation case would be extremely expensive without a guaranteed favorable outcome. Consulting a lawyer may be helpful in making a decision about how to proceed.

JAJ · Jul 10

I became the 4th nurse at a SUD clinic. I was told by management I would be walking into a clic and likely find some resistance. The other 3 nurses road to work together, 2 lived together and 3rd lived in same neighborhood.

I'm fairly thick skinned and could deal with a little harassment. Instead I found them trying to manipulate my pill counts to look like med errors, but the final thing was entering in a fake verbal order under my name (must have seen my password as I logged in on) that raised a clients dose significantly. I had a better job offer and gave the employer 2 weeks notice. They accepted my notice and paid me for the 2 weeks without having to stay and work the 2 weeks with that crew.

I feel like reporting them to the BON in my state, but can't prove who did what, or that I clearly didn't. Anyone ever find this kind of behavior on a new job? I was there about 2 months.

Wuzzie · Jul 10

In a previous job some of my coworkers tampered with my jump bags after I checked them so I would go on a flight and find crucial equipment missing (like a laryngoscope) and when I started locking my bags they would remove narcotics from the fridge after I did the count and reported me for stealing them. I had zero proof so zero recourse. That's when I learned about the legalities surrounding hostile work environments.

JAJ · Jul 10

I became the 4th nurse at a SUD clinic. I was told by management I would be walking into a clic and likely find some resistance. The other 3 nurses road to work together, 2 lived together and 3rd lived in same neighborhood.

I'm fairly thick skinned and could deal with a little harassment. Instead I found them trying to manipulate my pill counts to look like med errors, but the final thing was entering in a fake verbal order under my name (must have seen my password as I logged in on) that raised a clients dose significantly. I had a better job offer and gave the employer 2 weeks notice. They accepted my notice and paid me for the 2 weeks without having to stay and work the 2 weeks with that crew.

I feel like reporting them to the BON in my state, but can't prove who did what, or that I clearly didn't. Anyone ever find this kind of behavior on a new job? I was there about 2 months.

The only reason I can see that the employer paid me for my 2 week notice was a way to say "don't go away mad, just go away.” Think the extremes they went to there at the end even surprised them.

JAJ · Jul 10

The med counts being off was serious too. It's all controlled substances in that type of clinic. Buprenorphine and methadone, in my case.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 11

Wuzzie said:

Also, litigating a defamation case would be extremely expensive without a guaranteed favorable outcome.

I know 😞 I'm just so frustrated that this person lies and lies, makes up stuff. She really is unstable. I want some recourse because she truly has caused problems for me, serious ones.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 11

JAJ said:

but the final thing was entering in a fake verbal order under my name (must have seen my password as I logged in on) that raised a clients dose significantly

That's HORRIBLE!!! I am still amazed at how really mean people can be. We had a nurse that left her computer open (I know it is a big no-no) and another nurse went in and looked up another employee that was hospitalized in our hospital. The one that left her computer was fired on the spot when they investigated. The other nurse knew about that and said nothing. Really messed up the other one's career. I can't fathom that level of psychopathy. Especially from people who are supposed to be helping others. I know I am very naive.