Dealing with a childish coworker?

[LPNewbie]

Hello everyone.

I work in a nursing home and really like it. Basically as you all know, us nurses are usually on a med cart which is fine. I work with another Med Tech and it's hell sometimes. He's a nice person but he has ADHD and forgets to take his medicine.

He thinks it's funny throw cups, scream, and sling his keys around to make as much noise as possible. Admittedly, I could write him up, but I know some of it is not in control. Has anyone dealt with an unruly coworker? How do you handle it?

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Nooo he made I clear that he enjoys being single. Not interested anyways

I can guarantee he's going to stay single......

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

All good tips! However my supervisor is aware of this and says he's just being "Phil". (Not his name). I guess they can't write him up because he technically does his job but he's a nuisance.

You can absolutely write him up. There's nothing safe or acceptable about this. Shame on the Supervisor.

[Katillac, RN]

He says sorry and then within a few minutes, he's pacing and groans like a child and says he can't sit still. You constantly have to entertain him or else he becomes disruptive

You are helping to train him to be disruptive by entertaining him. If you ignore the behavior other than writing him up I guarantee you initially you will see more of it (called an extinction burst) then less of it. Whining and acting out aren't much fun if you don't have an audience, or a reaction. You don't want it to be a "hostile workplace", so you don't write him up, but it already is a hostile workplace in that he is intimidating you with his behavior into letting it continue. Throwing things and screaming are aggressive, antisocial behaviors. Sorry this is happening to you, more sorry you are allowing it.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I can guarantee he's going to stay single......

You'd be surprised. There's "someone" for everyone. (Also probably resulting in a pack of "little Phils" terrorizing unsuspecting Elementary School teachers somewhere.)

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

If he always behaves in a calm manner around patients then he is completely in control of himself. That includes when he's screaming and throwing things when he is around you. He's not a helpless victim of poor impulse control. If he was a helpless victim, he would sometimes lose it around patients as well. The fact that he doesn't, indicates that he's simply doing something he gets a kick out of doing, and in my opinion he's doing it because his supervisor and perhaps others as well, enable him by allowing the behavior.

This. ^^

Besides, you are too busy to "entertain" him in order to prevent him from acting out. He is obviously attention-seeking and you're just feeding that by letting him run the show. Like someone else said, he needs to be written up every time he disrupts the workflow; you need a paper trail to show management that this is an ongoing problem and not just "Phil being Phil". In the meantime, if I were you I think I would be looking for another job where professionalism is valued. There's nothing wrong with having a quirky sense of humor or a colorful personality, but one needs to tone it down at work. Of course, with "Phil" it's more of a pathological issue, but he is indeed in control of his faculties and he needs to clean up his act. Unfortunately for all concerned, he has no reason to do so because everyone is enabling him to continue his bad behavior.

I wish you luck in getting this co-worker to knock it off. Believe me, I'm sympathetic to those with mental health problems but he's sabotaging himself by not taking his meds, and he evidently thinks it's an excuse to act like a clown.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Who picks up the mess when he knocks stuff over? Don't you do it. Walk over stuff if necessary. Invite the nurse manager out to see, but absolutely do not pick anything up. Stop entertaining him when he's annoying. Ignore him instead.

I have a coworker who once threw a bunch of those paper dots that collect inside a hole punch on the floor of the med room. He would also say, "We need a woman to pretty this place up" when he would miss the trash can while making basketball shots.

I would say "For your information, I'm not picking that up, ever." Then I never did. Ever.

He stopped those particular shenanigans. He plays around in other ways now, that I find amusing. He's actually a funny guy and I like him. Sometimes he shoots me with rubber bands and I shoot him back. That's kind of fun and stress relieving for me. But if I had to pick up after him, or entertain him to prevent destruction I would hate his guts.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

A coworker who has to be entertained while on the job? Oh, hell no. And your workplace is so poorly staffed they think they have to put up with shenanigans. Yes, I'd start looking for the exits.

Yes I'm definitely looking.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

This. ^^

Besides, you are too busy to "entertain" him in order to prevent him from acting out. He is obviously attention-seeking and you're just feeding that by letting him run the show. Like someone else said, he needs to be written up every time he disrupts the workflow; you need a paper trail to show management that this is an ongoing problem and not just "Phil being Phil". In the meantime, if I were you I think I would be looking for another job where professionalism is valued. There's nothing wrong with having a quirky sense of humor or a colorful personality, but one needs to tone it down at work. Of course, with "Phil" it's more of a pathological issue, but he is indeed in control of his faculties and he needs to clean up his act. Unfortunately for all concerned, he has no reason to do so because everyone is enabling him to continue his bad behavior.

I wish you luck in getting this co-worker to knock it off. Believe me, I'm sympathetic to those with mental health problems but he's sabotaging himself by not taking his meds, and he evidently thinks it's an excuse to act like a clown.

You are absolutely correct. I'm doing what I can to find another job. Thank you!!

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

Who picks up the mess when he knocks stuff over? Don't you do it. Walk over stuff if necessary. Invite the nurse manager out to see, but absolutely do not pick anything up. Stop entertaining him when he's annoying. Ignore him instead.

I have a coworker who once threw a bunch of those paper dots that collect inside a hole punch on the floor of the med room. He would also say, "We need a woman to pretty this place up" when he would miss the trash can while making basketball shots.

I would say "For your information, I'm not picking that up, ever." Then I never did. Ever.

He stopped those particular shenanigans. He plays around in other ways now, that I find amusing. He's actually a funny guy and I like him. Sometimes he shoots me with rubber bands and I shoot him back. That's kind of fun and stress relieving for me. But if I had to pick up after him, or entertain him to prevent destruction I would hate his guts.

I'm glad you guys have a good relationship now. I never pick up his stuff. He thinks it's funny but I don't ever help him clean up. I keep telling myself "it's only temporary"

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

I'm too old, too tired, got too much to do for that ****.

Sorry.

I'd just politely confront it where it lived.

Hey Phil, is there something going on we should talk about, I think you are most awesome, but I think you and I may have hit it off on the wrong foot and I'd like to begin again - would you be willing to do that? Boom, go forward. Ask questions and onward. Ask if he has any of you and be curious. I can always find something to admire and share with anyone.

Move foreward.

Good luck.

:angel:

[peachtreednurse, RN]

Although this character's behavior is juvenile, he cannot have lived nearly 4o years without recognizing the consequence of his outbursts...( I imagine, stares to outright confrontations.) How long have you been working together? Have you broached the subject...bringing in the point that you notice his care and consideration to the residents is a class act, and that you would appreciate the same courtesy during your interactions. Perhaps he has some stressor that he may reveal to you, perhaps not;whatever the case YOU should NOT have to exit the employ of a facility you "like" for his antics. Can there be any change of schedule, or assignment as shift, area or co-worker?

[kp2016]

I respectfully disagree with the people who are telling you to start applying for new jobs. You have said you like this job, why should you have to try and find another job that you may or may not like, may or may not pay as well and may or may not meet your scheduling needs. I have been in a very similar situation. I was working casually and seemed to be scheduled with increasing regularity to work with an incredibly difficult and unprofessional person.

I loved my job, co workers and even liked my management but this person seriously had me considering resigning. One day I received a phone call asking me to pick up an extra shift. I asked point blank if I would have to work with Nurse ***. When they said yes I declined the shift. Within the hour I received a phone call from our unit manager who ask me to please explain and to give specific examples. Difficult Nurse was fired, turns out they were well aware that she was unprofessional and difficult to work with but they needed a formal complaint with examples of unacceptable behavior to take action.

Please don't quit a job you love without at least trying to have management deal with the person who is actually causing the problem. For the record I don't think you have to talk to him before you report him. He is an adult not a child, you shouldn't have to warn him that he will be reported for behaving atrociously.