My husband said something that got me to thinking.

Jo Dirt · Mar 12, 2009

What stinks is that a lot of times it doesn't matter how far you extend yourself. They don't think anymore of you for jumping through hoops and working like a slave than if you don't do anything.

djandkmommy · Mar 12, 2009

Sad but true! I'm not sure about the nursing industry (I'm soon to be a student) but my experience with my old company (insurance) was that the less you did, the higher you were promoted. So demoralizing to those of us that value a good days work.

Son Tava · Mar 12, 2009

The Peter Principle: "In a Hierarchy Every Employee Tends to Rise to His Level of Incompetence."

ERjodiRN · Mar 12, 2009

it's kind of a double-edged sword though. we let them get away with it! 75% of the time we don't say anything to the people slacking off, or to our bosses because we don't want to appear as if we're complaining. so really, we're just fostering it. i figure if you're going to complain about it, then actually do something about it....because otherwise there isn't anything to complain about, right?

oramar · Mar 12, 2009

What stinks is that a lot of times it doesn't matter how far you extend yourself. They don't think anymore of you for jumping through hoops and working like a slave than if you don't do anything.

Yes, it has a lot to do with management. What ever their reason for tolerating people that accomplish nothing they certainly carry a lot of the responsibility. I worked at so many hospitals where the "do nothings" stay for years and years. The productive workers would leave in disgust again and again. I know some people will blame it on unions. But I have to say that my husband was a union construction worker for years. The construction unions have a different set up than say for instance a steel mill. The rules allowed the business owners to dismiss anyone they wanted for not measuring up at anytime. So my husband was used to working with people that produced or they were gone. When he got near his 60th birthday he took an easier janitorial position at an institution that is run more along the lines of a hospital or goverment facility. It has been a big shock to him. He is getting close to retirement or I don't think he could stand it for much longer.

Son Tava · Mar 13, 2009

Yes, it's all about MANAGEMENT. If the crew stinks is because management stinks; and I do mean smells bad. We tolerate the smell because we fear losing something if we poke our heads up above the crowd and say 'no more' or make a suggestion toward improvement. The nasty's come crawling out from their dark place looking for their next feast. So how do you address this? What's the game plan?

NewTexasRN · Mar 13, 2009

What stinks is that a lot of times it doesn't matter how far you extend yourself. They don't think anymore of you for jumping through hoops and working like a slave than if you don't do anything.

Yes, which why some people are all for themselves. I mean a lot of these people are thinking, "Why should I run around like a mad person doing all the work, while the other person watches me kill myself?" So the cycle continues.

loricatus · Mar 13, 2009

You cannot imagine how much I needed to see your post tonight. I was just about to quit because of being one of the ones that works their butt off while others just sit around. It put things in a better perspective and will make it a bit easier to go back tomorrow. It just the way it is, isn't it?

Oorah · Mar 13, 2009

I would tell them the same thing I tell the old battle axes I have to deal with: If I'm not getting half of your paycheck.... I'm not doing half of your work. Do it yourself. I have enough to do, thanks.

DeepFriedRN · Mar 13, 2009

I currently work with one that does nothing, or as close to it as possible-for example if her pt doesn't have a cna, they for sure won't get a bath. EVER. But she certainly has time to sit on her a$$ in the nurses station. And SUPRISE, who complains more than anyone how terribly busy she is, she needs more help, she doesn't have time for anything..:icon_roll I mean, seriously, until you start actually being busy, shut up!! Yeesh.

SoCaliGirl · Mar 13, 2009

As a waitress, I will say that your husband's observation is 100% accurate...in my industry at least. The people who do NOTHING just fly under the radar and cause more work for everyone else. The people who do EVERYTHING are in turn held accountable and blamed for anything that goes wrong.

I've just learned to deal with it. I will never be ok being lazy and doing nothing, and I've actually started voicing my concerns about people to my employer. Of course, when I talk to my manager I stay calm and just make logical points while trying not to bad-mouth these people. Believe it or not, she actually thanked me for coming to her with my issues and addressed them immediately.