Interpreting New Director Behavior/Personality

[mermer_rn, BSN]

My unit has it's 3 rd director in not quite 2 years. We are still reeling and recovering from all the COVID chaos and are no longer serving as the designated COVID unit. The hospital restricted many things and became for profit. Took away shift diffs, incentives and for part time, like me, holiday pay.  I was picking up where I was needed and wasn't asked for my schedule more than a couple weeks out and was not being asked to work holidays. Now comes in the new director...right off the bat she starts sending out constant emails about things we aren't doing correctly and the verbage comes off very patronizing like we are children being sent to time out, she has reprimanded 3 nurses and given them "retraining pathways", handed out write ups like candy and has fired a nurse for arguing with her "amongst other numerous issues". Now I'm being told I have to work 2 major holidays a year despite no holiday pay like full time employees receive and I have to give my schedule 3 months in advance. I feel very uncomfortable in her presence, yet she constantly "hangs out" and "chats" with me...but I can't help but feel I'm being watched when the next email comes out. I asked her if she felt that her requirement for working the holidays was fair and if she herself would accept that and she got visibly upset said "I think it's more important to function as a team then worry about what is fair and I only want team players". I'm just not sure what think of this woman. I don't understand her behavior....she jumps the gun with getting upset about things before she's even talked to everyone and I can't help but feel she knows it's not right to ask these things of us. Thoughts? How should I interact with her?  I feel like I want to jump ship but I actually really like most my coworkers. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

" Took away shift diffs, incentives and for part time, like me, holiday pay." There is no way in Hades I would be forced to work a holiday, without holiday pay.

No matter how much you like your coworkers... it's time to move on. Don't bother trying to analyze the director's behavior.  That's a lost cause. 

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

On 4/19/2021 at 5:04 AM, Been there,done that said:

" Took away shift diffs, incentives and for part time, like me, holiday pay." There is no way in Hades I would be forced to work a holiday, without holiday pay.

No matter how much you like your coworkers... it's time to move on. Don't bother trying to analyze the director's behavior.  That's a lost cause. 

Agreed. “Team player” is code for martyrs who don’t complain. Her behavior alone would be a dealbreaker for me, as would losing shift diff and holiday pay but still having to work holidays. Together....I’d kiss those coworkers goodbye and find another job.

[Davey Do]

4 hours ago, mermer_rn said:

 Thoughts?

To paraphrase the great Mr. Lincoln, "Nearly any person can stand adversity. If you truly want to test an individual's character, give them power".

And, to once again paraphrase the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 1:19, "Even the mighty fall". 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Wonder who’s breathing down her neck? And who’s breathing down theirs? Three managers in two years has to mean there are problems at multiple levels— don’t think you’re at the only one. I still agree— time to start looking around, this organization is trouble. 

[Emergent, RN]

You will bond with new coworkers just fine. The hospital will be needing to hire travelers at a much higher rate when people quit, so they are ultimately undermining their own bottom line. 

I don't understand why hospitals don't realize that treating employees well decreases turnover and creates a healthy working environment and financial success. Treating people like widgets on a spreadsheet is bad management of human resources. 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

No matter the specifics on exact dollar amounts, everyone can agree that orienting new staff takes money. Constant churn makes for ineffective team building, too, which can also lead to errors and decreased pt/family satisfaction...and this translates into fewer donations to fundraising appeals. 
It’s always about the money. Somebody needs to point this out to them. 

[JKL33]

18 hours ago, mermer_rn said:

she got visibly upset said "I think it's more important to function as a team then worry about what is fair and I only want team players".

 Of course she did! That's what they do! One set of rules for themselves and a different set for everyone else. ?

People like this are intellectually, emotionally and morally unfit to proclaim who is a team player; they themselves are NOT. They are not leaders. 

 

Listen to others' advice. Get the eff out of there.

 

[caliotter3]

They took away your holiday pay but not the holiday pay of the regular employees?  No. No. No.  Find another employer.

[Closed Account 12345]

You could always call in sick on the major holidays, and when reprimanded, you could say "I was under the understanding that this was a routine work shift for part time employees, not a major holiday."

No? Just me? Too petty? But for real... You wouldn't catch me missing holidays with my fam for an ungrateful employer who doesn't acknowledge the sacrifice.

Because you like your co-workers, I'd wait a few months to see if this director quickly leaves as well. If it turns out she's in it for the long haul, I'd put in my notice well-before holiday season rolls around. Maybe start browsing alternative jobs around late Summer.

(I realize Summer should not be capitalized. The website is auto-changing the s to a capital letter despite my best editing efforts.)

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

My old employer changed requirements and removed differentials. I was checked out from that moment, and now have a new job that makes me happier. ?

Don't date people that treat you like crap. Don't work for them, either.

[mermer_rn, BSN]

18 hours ago, Been there,done that said: