Integrity vs job security

Do it. Yesterday.

Can I be disciplined or fired for communication with family outside the facility? I would only speak to the DPOA.

Do it anonymously.

I'm sure all of the shenanigans of the facility will become common knowledge when the court and LAWYERS get involved.

It's NOT your duty or responsibility to become involved as you think you should. It'll all come out!

If you are so morally distressed by the facility, then leave for another position.

And contrary to PP Been there, I don't believe that anything such as this would remain confidential or ANONYMOUS if you were to become involved.

amoLucia said:

I'm sure all of the shenanigans of the facility will become common knowledge when the court and LAWYERS get involved.

It's NOT your duty or responsibility to become involved as you think you should. It'll all come out!

If you are so morally distressed by the facility, then leave for another position.

And contrary to PP Been there, I don't believe that anything such as this would remain confidential or ANONYMOUS if you were to become involved.

I'm leaning towards an anonymous report, even though an Ombudsman should already be involved, simply because of the potential politics involved.

I just found out not long ago that the competing hospital in our area owns the local newspaper...which I find odd but it explains a lot. And even though I work at a great hospital and it's the go to place to be fair r true emergencies, one of our popular news channels tends to only include our name on negative publicity but otherwise will state "area hospital" on most of the really cool things we do.

The OP is a rock in a hard place if you ask me. What if the POA isn't fully made aware until after the court decides/rules? I would however be fully prepared to be found out if I were to whistleblow this issue.

This is the kind of things that lawyers just thrive on. And in today's litigious and web-conscious society, I don't think that families are so naieve not to do their own thorough attempt at research. Because of the heinous circumstances of the crime, I'm betting the family ALREADY has legal representation. Lawyers know where to look. That's their job.

I stand by my comment that OP move on if so distressed.

Move on? So you're suggesting I turn a blind eye and find another job because I'm uncomfortable with my administration team covering up sodomy?? From the sound of your response, I'm convinced you'd be a wonderful addition to our corrupt administration.

NurseAnnBo said:

Move on? So you're suggesting I turn a blind eye and find another job because I'm uncomfortable with my administration team covering up sodomy?? From the sound of your response, I'm convinced you'd be a wonderful addition to our corrupt administration.

OFFS. If you're so certain of the moral superiority of telling the family, then why did you come here to ask what you should do?

Do what you want. You will probably get fired. If that doesn't matter to you, then by all means, go for it.

I would mention to the family that each person involved wants to protect their own interests, and perhaps they could get the full picture if they talked to the police about the situation. There's always a mix of gossip and fact among the staff, so I wouldn't try to tell the story myself for fear of being inaccurate. Making the police their information source will protect your job too, just say they were asking questions, and you referred them appropriately. I would think that if the resident remains in danger, the police would be quite frank about it.

The other option is to call Adult Protective, anonymously or not. I couldn't just sit on the information and continue to work there, but JMHO.

To OP - why is it that you believe that the family is UNAWARE of the total situation? Just because they haven't made a public showing of concern doesn't mean that they don't know what's going on in its entirety. Their legal counsel would most likely wisely advise them to avoid publicity.

You have NO IDEA of what's all going on behind their closed doors!!! You are NOT privy to all the family/legal interactions; that is NOT yours to know.

Please know that I am not heartless. My deepest sympathies go out to that family in their time of sadness, shock, indignation, etc. Coping is unique to each, but it is private. And you may have no idea how they are responding in the eyes of their God.

I do believe you may be overstepping the boundaries of personal involvement. It's like YOU are feeling the injury yourself and are expecting the family to be making a public display of outrage.

Also, the State Dept of Health, Ombudsman Office and law enforcement are most likely all over this case. Again, they don't have to tell you anything.

If you feel obligated that you have information you want to give to officials then do so. But be prepared for fallout. That's pretty much what respondents are trying to tell you. Also are you sure that your concern is for the family and not just some measure of dissatisfaction against your employer and about your job?