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).
Interesting article, sss!
Although I could have lots of fun flaming Katherine, I will take the Serious Street. I won't bore you with the details, but I worked with a nurse back in 1990 who wreaked havoc on the unit, and was the ultimate reason why I resigned that position. I had worked at that hospital for seven years, and I received unemployment compensation for "unfair working conditions".
I'm thinking a mood stabilizing medication, like Tegretol or Lamictal might help in conditions which can be termed as an explosive disorder, and wonder why that option wasn't considered in that otherwise great response.
Although I could have lots of fun flaming Katherine, I will take the Serious Street. I won't bore you with the details, but I worked with a nurse back in 1990 who wreaked havoc on the unit, and was the ultimate reason why I resigned that position. I had worked at that hospital for seven years, and I received unemployment compensation for "unfair working conditions".
I'm thinking a mood stabilizing medication, like Tegretol or Lamictal might help in conditions which can be termed as an explosive disorder, and wonder why that option wasn't considered in that otherwise great response.
You're right! A mood stabilizer would be helpful in these situations. It's fun to guess what industry "Katherine" and her unfortunate employees work in.
Wow!! Sideshowstarlet you went through some horrific experience. You must have been a threat to this co-workers and she had to find ways to get you dismissed from work. Very concerning that nurses who are supposed to be caring people can treat a co-worker like that. You have nothing to worry about them finding out about your old job, the truth will always speak for itself. I hope you are happy in your new job. Happy nursing! ?
Davey Do
10,666 Posts
Interesting article, sss!
Although I could have lots of fun flaming Katherine, I will take the Serious Street. I won't bore you with the details, but I worked with a nurse back in 1990 who wreaked havoc on the unit, and was the ultimate reason why I resigned that position. I had worked at that hospital for seven years, and I received unemployment compensation for "unfair working conditions".
I'm thinking a mood stabilizing medication, like Tegretol or Lamictal might help in conditions which can be termed as an explosive disorder, and wonder why that option wasn't considered in that otherwise great response.