I've turned into such a job hopper since I moved to New England in 2020. Part of that was personal stuff, health issues, relocating for grad school internship, etc. But some of it is crazy stuff like this...
Until the very end of August, I was employed on a detox unit. The unit literally had 150% turnover since I started in May. Ever since the beginning of August, when the most experienced employee (who had been there for two years) was fired for trumped up reasons (management said he was "unethical" but didn't really elaborate), the person who had been on my unit the longest was the manager, who had started in April. I was actively looking and applying to other jobs. In the meantime, the pay was good, shifts were 8 hours, and it was a five-minute walk from my house. Manager also said they could potentially accommodate 4 10-hour shifts per week for me once the unit became fully-staffed.
However, there was a ton of drama. For example, we had a new coworker identify her favorite spot to sit and try to implement assigned seating for everybody else to ensure she kept that spot. She even went to not just the manager, but the manager's manager, in order to accomplish this. And it worked.
I don't really care about the seating arrangements, but the change involved multiple in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails. This is for a role that doesn't generally involve a whole lot of sitting down (at least not if you're doing it right). Prior to the start of these multiple meetings, I unknowingly sat in the spot this person had earmarked for herself and got reported to management for this. I didn't even know that this was going to be/already was a rule until I got in trouble with my boss's boss for sitting there. And I didn't leave a mess or anything. I just sat there to do some charting on the computer. This person started after me, so it's not like the desk issue could have been covered during orientation, even if orientation wasn't sorely lacking. I'm not sure what special meaning the spot held for this coworker, but I did hear that this coworker and my boss's boss worked together years ago and were friends from there.
Anyway, I had Fri., Aug 25 off, and I received a call from HR. HR said that I was under investigation but they could not say why. They said I was not to report to work, was not to contact any coworkers or supervisors, and was not to come onto the premises and that HR would be in touch regarding the investigation. I kicked my job search up into high gear. On Thursday, Aug 30, I received a call from HR saying that I was being terminated for misconduct. They said they found a note with threats written on them where I normally sit, had conducted a handwriting analysis, and determined that I wrote the note. They said this handwriting analysis was done by comparing the note to samples of my work, but we only have computer charting. While I hadn't worked the Friday that I initially heard from HR (Aug 25), I did work the day before, and this was apparently found that Thursday evening. But I didn't write any threats. They said this note contained threats to kill people with office supplies like keyboards and staplers. Just in case this needs to be said, I did not threaten to kill anyone with a keyboard or stapler (I'm not even sure that's possible). At no point during this investigation was I told what it was about or asked any questions.
I applied for unemployment, despite "misconduct" generally being a disqualifier for unemployment. I put that I was fired for performance. The unemployment rep called me and stated she tried multiple times to contact my former employer's HR department. She had reached out to me to ask if I had the direct extension for HR. I told her honestly that I didn't, that I just had the main number. Rep stated that she tried that number 5 times and kept getting transferred to different people. My claim ended up being approved, and I got back pay for the weeks I was waiting to hear back.
Mid-September, I was offered a clinic job that I had interviewed for while still employed at the old job. I'm super excited about the clinic job, but I'm also really worried. Start date is Oct 16. This new job already checked references prior to the final interview, so I'm not worried about that piece. My listed references included coworkers from my now-former job whom I was friends with, and the job offer is not contingent on a reference from the old job's manager. I don't have a criminal background or any mark on my license. I guess the background check is still in progress. So far, nobody's reached out to rescind the offer. I got the pre-employment physical, drug screen, and flu shot done.
I'm cautiously optimistic, but I'm worried that this accusation from my old job will come back to bite me. I just have so many unanswered questions. Should I get a lawyer to contest what my old job said about me? Is it possible for the new job to find out about this issue when unemployment was unable to? Can you actually kill someone with a keyboard?
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
sideshowstarlet said:
She was... interesting, as was the fly-by-night hospice agency they were using.
It is written, "The only true sin is the sin of self", and often applies to caregivers. When we put our own comfort above that of those in our care, we commit a sin of self.
Those who we care for in any area of nursing need to be treated with deference and that goes more so for those receiving services in hospice. Often times, usually due to desensitization, caregivers treat recipients with a sort of apathy, and sometimes it goes beyond that.
Desensitization is a coping mechanism which is a two-edged sword, for we can use our non-emotional response to other's pain to provide systematically logical care or we can become calloused to another's needs by making it all about us.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
sideshowstarlet said:
there was a ton of drama. For example, we had a new coworker identify her favorite spot to sit and try to implement assigned seating for everybody else to ensure she kept that spot. She even went to not just the manager, but the manager's manager, in order to accomplish this. And it worked.
I don't really care about the seating arrangements, but the change involved multiple in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails. This is for a role that doesn't generally involve a whole lot of sitting down (at least not if you're doing it right). Prior to the start of these multiple meetings, I unknowingly sat in the spot this person had earmarked for herself and got reported to management for this. I didn't even know that this was going to be/already was a rule until I got in trouble with my boss's boss for sitting there. And I didn't leave a mess or anything. I just sat there to do some charting on the computer.
Anyway, I had Fri., Aug 25 off, and I received a call from HR. HR said that I was under investigation but they could not say why. They said I was not to report to work, was not to contact any coworkers or supervisors, and was not to come onto the premises and that HR would be in touch regarding the investigation. I kicked my job search up into high gear. On Thursday, Aug 30, I received a call from HR saying that I was being terminated for misconduct. They said they found a note with threats written on them where I normally sit, had conducted a handwriting analysis, and determined that I wrote the note. They said this handwriting analysis was done by comparing the note to samples of my work, but we only have computer charting. While I hadn't worked the Friday that I initially heard from HR (Aug 25), I did work the day before, and this was apparently found that Thursday evening. But I didn't write any threats. They said this note contained threats to kill people with office supplies like keyboards and staplers. Just in case this needs to be said, I did not threaten to kill anyone with a keyboard or stapler (I'm not even sure that's possible). At no point during this investigation was I told what it was about or asked any questions.
Bwahahahahahahaha!! I feel like, for a sufficiently creative and homicidal person, the ubiquitous ID badge and clip can be turned into a weapon. And I was never even written up before I was fired. If I were going to kill, why would I take the trouble of penning a written warning? At that point, I'm doing more management than management. Your art helps me cope with my feelings of nervousness about starting my new job tomorrow.
Speaking of seating, I feel like my tenure at this new company will be greatly affected by who I end up sitting next to at orientation tomorrow. For example, at old job, we had one big classroom orientation spanning 4 days and including new employees from all sites throughout the company. I ended up becoming work friends with a Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) who was hired at a different site over the four days that we were sitting next to each other. RSS's are techs who have lived experience with addiction and recovery. We had exchanged phone numbers and would text or call each other every now and then. We both agreed that the work environment could be chaotic and busy, and training was practically nonexistent. Shortly before my termination, we had someone who normally works at the other site (where this RSS works) fill in at our site. I asked this person how the RSS was doing. The person filling in stated that the RSS was really good but that he hadn't showed up to work for the past week and a half. When I texted the RSS, there was no answer. When I tried calling, his phone was cut off. I hadn't heard from him. I worry about what that work environment was doing to him. He never seemed like the kind of person who would just up and abandon a job. I even entertained the idea that this person was directed not to show up to work due to a mystery "investigation" and his coworkers were kept in the dark and were led to assume he was fired for not showing up. At this point, I don't even really care that I was fired. But I worry about this company's mismanagement possibly causing a relapse for this RSS.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Interesting what you say about who you'll be sitting next to at orientation.
Davey Do said:
It is written that all the people and events in our lives are there because we draw them to us, and what we decide to do with them is up to us.
I'm getting vibes that this concept needs to be driven home to you and I sense that you are a very intuitive individual with a powerful aura. Those with these qualities attract people and events because The Fates (etc.) are attempting to lead us to a higher consciousness. Once we let go and allow The Forces That Be guide to us, we will be shown the way. Every day, I make a conscious decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him. Sometimes, begrudgingly so.
This may all sound like a bunch of metaphysical New Age nonsense, but it is a way in which I've chosen to live my life, and I am the proof in the pudding.
Interesting what you say about who you'll be sitting next to at orientation.
I'm getting vibes that this concept needs to be driven home to you and I sense that you are a very intuitive individual with a powerful aura. Those with these qualities attract people and events because The Fates (etc.) are attempting to lead us to a higher consciousness. Once we let go and allow The Forces That Be guide to us, we will be shown the way. Every day, I make a conscious decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him. Sometimes, begrudgingly so.
This may all sound like a bunch of metaphysical New Age nonsense, but it is a way in which I've chosen to live my life, and I am the proof in the pudding.
This is actually very wise. I shall make every attempt to not have body odor during orientation and let the seating arrangements fall where they may!
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
There's something to be said about pheromones.
The mention of your orientation, sideshowstarlet, caused me to think of mine, in 1987, to a chemical dependency treatment program. For several reasons, I went into it with a very bad attitude, and my four years there were some of the best of my career, my life.
It seems not to matter what we think or how we feel about a situation, only that we persevere and go through it. Think of it: You'll be meeting people who are going to change your life- some for the better, others not so much- but you will be learning the names and seeing the people who will become your best friends or biggest stumbling blocks. It is an exciting time!
It seems not to matter what we think or how we feel about a situation, only that we persevere and go through it. Think of it: You'll be meeting people who are going to change your life- some for the better, others not so much- but you will be learning the names and seeing the people who will become your best friends or biggest stumbling blocks. It is an exciting time!
Keep us posted!
Thanks, Davey! I'll be happy to keep you posted on the goings-on from the North South East West Conference Education Fornication Fermentation Room #82! Well, maybe not live from the NESW-CEFFR-82. I better watch my social media use from that room. It is, after all, only a few steps from there to the HR office.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Takes me back, the N S E W Conference Room, and how, like Will Rodgers said, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression".
We are all representatives of our places of employment and the manner in which we behave and perform our duties makes a big impression on outsiders and newcomers.
Takes me back, the N S E W Conference Room, and how, like Will Rodgers said, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression".
We are all representatives of our places of employment and the manner in which we behave and perform our duties makes a big impression on outsiders and newcomers.
Had classroom orientation, mainly going over company policies, etc. Overall it went well. I don't think I met any best friends, but nobody made the day difficult for me. Classroom orientation tomorrow and Wednesday will focus on the clinical piece, then we'll start going to our sites to receive specific onboarding from them. I feel like I can do the job. Just gotta take it one day at a time.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
sideshowstarlet said:
Had classroom orientation
Thank you for that update, sideshowstarlet, and I'm glad your day went well.
One of the difficult things about starting at a new facility is some of the training exercises, but I'm sure you will know all the answers to all the questions.
Good luck with them and the person who most likely has borderline personality. All over a chair? I'd like to see what this person does over a parking spot...
Good luck with them and the person who most likely has borderline personality. All over a chair? I'd like to see what this person does over a parking spot...
Funny you should mention a parking spot. I also follow a workplace advice column, and somebody wrote in about a boss who does crazy things, which they blame on PMDD. Among the crazy antics mentioned in the letter were... throwing a stapler, flipping a table during a meeting, having hours-long screamfests, and calling the cops on someone who stole "her" parking spot when the workplace does not have assigned parking spots. You can read this letter in all its glory here: https://www.askamanager.org/2023/09/my-boss-is-abusive-and-blames-it-on-pmdd.html
Davey Do
10,666 Posts
It is written, "The only true sin is the sin of self", and often applies to caregivers. When we put our own comfort above that of those in our care, we commit a sin of self.
Those who we care for in any area of nursing need to be treated with deference and that goes more so for those receiving services in hospice. Often times, usually due to desensitization, caregivers treat recipients with a sort of apathy, and sometimes it goes beyond that.
Desensitization is a coping mechanism which is a two-edged sword, for we can use our non-emotional response to other's pain to provide systematically logical care or we can become calloused to another's needs by making it all about us.
Feigned empathy is better than outright apathy.