Manager wants me to sign this

[chaoticnme]

I wanted to get some thoughts. I had a meeting with my manager recently over an email she received from one of the nurses rotating on charge duty. We dont have a regular charge nurse...everyone takes a turn. Anywho...My manager believed everything this person said without ever being present and having no proof anything of the such occurred. I called the union and the rep told me to sign it and write on there I sign i received this but I dont fully agree with it.

What would you do?

[bergren]

Do you have Liability Insurance? Call their hotline.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I agree - I would definitely ask for more details and if I did not agree with it, I would not sign it.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

You could write a quick note that you read the email but do not agree with the contents. That might pacify the manager. I would also contact HR to alert them to this practice.

[MrsMommaRN]

Don't sign it. Who is above your union rep? Is there a liason of some sort. Your union rep is an employee like you correct? Speak directly with the union.

[TazziRN, RN]

Actually you need to sign it. Just make sure that you add on there: "My signature indicates receipt of this document. I do not agree with the contents and am attaching a rebuttal." Write up your version of what happened and hand it in. Make sure you keep a copy for your records.

Signing receipt of something is not an issue. Do not sign anything that states you agree with what's written unless you truly do agree. If you're ever backed into a corner and told you HAVE to sign something, go ahead and sign but first write the statement above your signature in pen.

This is what my union, the California Association of Nurses, says to do.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Placing my Managers hat on:

Manager has a right to ask that you sign what we call "awareness counseling" note. This is to document that you SAW the information being presented to you about a situation; a comment section on form permits one to write comments---staff may write "I disagree with the above". Protects manager from staff saying "no one told me about this issue" and protects staff member who can then say "NO! that's not correct"

When disagreement, I ask that they write up their side of the story and I attach to paperwork. If significant disagreement, I will investigate and have on occasion counselled first reporter for erroneous reporting.

All this stays in my personal manager files unless serious offense then goes to HR files.

[TazziRN, RN]

When disagreement, I ask that they write up their side of the story and I attach to paperwork. If significant disagreement, I will investigate and have on occasion counselled first reporter for erroneous reporting.

I wish you could have given my old manager some boss lessons! My tech and I once got written up for something we didn't do, based on a complaint involving a pt who had made several visits during different shifts to the ER. What she said happened did happen to the pt, but it wasn't us that did it. Boss didn't care, it was reported so it must have happened that way!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with those who say to write a rebuttal statement as part of your signature. You were made aware of the issue and should not mind saying that you have been informed of it -- but you should also say that you disagree with what what was said.

Where I have worked, a refusal to sign has been grounds for immediate termination whithout possibility of rehire for "insubordination." You don't want that on your record.

[chaoticnme]

I am going to sign "I am signing that I received this memo, I am a team player and am willing to do my part in being a part of the team. However, I do not fully agree with certain things stated about me in this memo.

After reading your comments I may write in more detail in a rebuttal statement of what I do not agree with and what I do agree with and go into more detail on a separate piece of paper

What do you think?

Thanks for all the advice and support.

[Bluehair]

I am going to sign "I am signing that I received this memo, I am a team player and am willing to do my part in being a part of the team. However, I do not fully agree with certain things stated about me in this memo.

After reading your comments I may write in more detail in a rebuttal statement of what I do not agree with and what I do agree with and go into more detail on a separate piece of paper

What do you think?

Thanks for all the advice and support.

Since you asked - if it were me, I would go EXACTLY with what Tazzi said.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

When the manager writes "employee refused to sign" that actually looks worse than a "signature only acknowledges receipt, not agreement" type of signature. Definately write a rebutall and make copies of everything.