harrassed at work..need sound advice

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 12, 2004

Back them up and tell them they are wonderful, then tell them you will support their letters to administration saying how it is affecting morale and their work. continue to write your own letters, and start making a few phone calls saying "I hadn't heard back from you so I was wondering if you had received my letter."

When this supervisor starts to rant politely say " that's not been my experience with her..." or bring up a time when the person in question has done an outstanding job. Do that in front of the person she's criticizing if possible. If she doesn't get the hint eventually just say you feel uncomfortable talking about other people unless you need to know the information for patient care. Don't contradict her, as she is your supervisor, and that will make life hard for YOU (unless you feel OK with her dogging on your too). If she directly criticizes you go for it with presenting evidence to the contrary, suggest she put her concerns in writing, as you would welcome the chance to respond in kind.

I think that if you all come together as a team that your work environment will consist of ignoring her and giving great care. Hopefully she will get the hint and change her ways. If she doesn't I'll bet she'll eventually leave to go somewhere that is more suited to her style.

Agnus · May 13, 2004

Sounds like a male fillipino RN I came across when I was a CNA. My boyfriend offered to have him met in the parking lot one night and have his knee caps broken.

He was quite serious and I declined. The problem was management was patting themself on the back for hiring him. So the suggestion that he was no good by another RN fell on deaf ears.

Eventually I left. I was later told that he got fired two weeks after I left. The other nurses asked me back but I had a great job and it was better than even before atilla the hun came to work there.

moia · May 13, 2004

This is how some very creepy managers work...they start complaining about another person and wait for your reaction...if you make the fatal mistake of joining in with backstabbing just once the manager has you...they will consider you an untrustworthy ally they can feed to the wolves any time they want just by saying to one other person YOU were the one to say negative things about a coworker...it is the divide and conquer approach to management...it creates a paranoid and hostile environment that moves all the focus on to the workers and away from the manager.

The trick to stop this crap is to go to the managers manager and document clearly that the manager is not MANAGING...the workplace has become hostile...direct all comments to the responsibilities of a patient care manager...state in positive tones what a good manager could do to ease tensions....this kind of letter or meeting strikes at the center of the problem...the manager will be told by her manager that her unit is unhappy...and that a good manager can fix the problem...complain at this level...skip any personal comments...stick closely to a script that directs her manager to her management .... she gets evaluated too....never forget that someone somewhere is grading the managers performance...attack at that level...have all your coworkers ask for a sitdown meeting with her manager to talk about positive strategies to improve morale...

I wouldn't be surprised to see her fired in six weeks if enough of you band together...keep it professional and keep it strategically positive. Never ever suggest to her manager that she needs to be fired...just keep talking about would help make the team work better...include things like an atmosphere of respect etc.

Haul out your nursing standards book and use them....especially the standards for communication..

Management respects this because they can use it...they can present it to your manager at a review and at her firing.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 13, 2004

Do you know how hard it is to find good CNA's, and here you go having someone run them off. I agree to support your CNA's also brag to upper managment about them. I dont believe about beating around the bush, I would bypass all and go straight to the person who has the authority to fire this witch.Take everyone with you too. If I were in managment I would rather loose 1 snoty night superviser than several good aides. Also this may effect their work performance. Why cant we all just get along , and do what we are suppose to and that is take care of our patients....

I work in LTC. Recently the facility hired a shift supervisor. This RN-BSN makes derrogatory comments about the other nurses and, most often the CNA's. She has even named some of them by name, stating that she can't stand them, and that they are lazy. The nursing assistants she mentioned are anything BUT lazy, they are two of our best. She speaks in a condescending manner, discriminates as to what staff she wants on her wing, and has been harrassing staff in this manner since week one of her hire. She loves power, and she despises anyone who shows any form of independence while doing their work. I am on another unit, and oftentimes a couple of the CNA's will come to me in tears about the treatment they are receiving. I have made the phone calls and written complaints to management, yet night after night, this continues. I am at a crossroads. I have been in LTC for 12 years and have seen this type of treatment before, and I am guilty of being one of those who just didnt want to get involved or do the paperwork. This time it's different, because I am involved in a more direct level because comments are now being said about me. Saying that a person is lazy can affect their job..or saying they dont perform their required duties, also will affect their job, if this is being reviewed by management. Now, what can I do that I am not doing now, and what advice can I give these nursing assistants as well?

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · May 13, 2004

Tin -- Predicting the new shift sup won't be there long. Let's see what happens.

Energizer Bunny · May 14, 2004

It sounds to me like this person is jealous of those that are hard workers and also needs to knock others down to feel superior. GRRRR....let us know what happens!