Resources/Tips for handling employee disputes

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I'm looking for resourses on how to handle/resolve employee disputes. If you knw of any websites or publications that might be helpful I'd appreciate it.

My facility is a small private owned center in the inner city. We have a total resident population of 44. The majority of our work force is in their twenties. We seem to be having a bit of an upswing in conflicts between the nursing assistants. They are forming little cliques and having skirmishs between each other. (I almost think I'm back in high school with some of the issues flying around here :() )

If you have any personal advice that's welcome too. Thank you

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Welcome to the world of McDonald Babies! :chuckles

Kids today do not have good work ethics, IMHO. They are often very spoiled, having been given too much, and been allowed to experience too much too soon, so when they turn 18, life is pretty much a disaster for them because many are not socially mature enough to handle being an adult. :o

Suggestion? Fire them all, and hire new ones! :chuckle

I have been in facilities where a certain level of professionalism is expected. The type of behavior you describe is not tolerated.

I think that low pay, poor working conditions, the shortage of available aides and the fact that there is very little formal education involved in becoming an aide all contribute to what you describe. Facilities often put up with poor behavior as long as the aide shows up to work. Many aides have limited education and social skills. Some are still teenagers emotionally, and have never matured into adulthood.

There are corporations who hire unskilled labor and put time into training these people to behave in a professional manner. But that takes time and money. I don't think that long term care facilities have the resources to turn some of these people around.

My suggestions would be:

Weed out those people who are disruptive or who have a poor work ethic. Give them a chance to improve, but eliminate those who don't or won't.

Poor behavior needs to be dealt with as it happens. As long as this behavior is ignored or tolerated it will continue.

Reward employees who exhibit good work habits or who conduct themselves in a professional manner. Even a few words of praise and the fact that you took notice of this will go a long way.

I believe that it is important to present nursing aide skills during inservice training, but it may help to include inservices which cover communication skills, teamwork, customer service, and professional behavior. Look at some of the materials available to corporations on these topics. There are many team building exercises which are not only fun, you learn a lot about yourself and your coworkers in the process.

Help! The health care aids are revolting! They're organized, they're unionized, and they're angry! I'm not paranoid, they are out to get me. According to the major playor with the ax to grind: I'm too picky, I spend too much time lecturing, I "spy" on them and don't spend "nearly enough time" helping the HCA's do beds. Apparently, this should be my priority rather than attending to the sick, dying or fist-fighting residents.

Help! My manager is actually taking these complaints seriously, and this has been entered into my file! Any advice?

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