retaliation after resignation?

TakeOne · Dec 10, 2010

Go to HR BEFORE you leave/when you turn in your letter of resignation. Tell them that you are in a hostile work environment. It is illegal for a truly hostile work environment to continue, and HR is required to investigate, confidentially...

This is the best advice so far. Be aware that specific criteria exist that legally define "hostile work environment," and they don't include that you think that management doesn't listen to staff or that scheduling sucks or you're short staffed or that coworkers are petty. Your circumstances may or may not fit the definition of hostile work environment. But even if they don't, you are clearly uncomfortable there and nobody blames you for wanting better. Give them two weeks notice, work your two weeks, adhere rigidly to policy and procedures, be friendly and courteous, remember that this job is just a small part of your life and not life itself, and move on when your two weeks are over.

BloodCleanerRN · Dec 10, 2010

There is a way that you can avoid this, but not every one would agree on ethical grounds. Only you know how appropriate the course of action is;
You have sick time built up? Two weeks worth? - Then put in your resignation and be sick for the rest of the time that you have left.

I wouldn't recommend this. Most places have a policy that states you cannot use PTO during the time between resignation and your last day of work.

leslie :-D · Dec 10, 2010

i just would like to point out, that HR is NOT our friend.

they typically defend/represent the employer.

i don't know what HR would do for you in this situation.

does it really matter what they do to you, if you're leaving anyway?

it sounds like you have nothing/little to lose.

good riddance to the whole, miserable bunch.

leslie

JoytoWorld · Dec 10, 2010

The term HOSTILE WORKING ENVIRONMENT is a specific legal term when used to represent discriminatory treatment received in relationship to your public policy rights (gender, race/color/nationality, age, disability, etc.) and to your actions to either support those rights or to oppose abuse of them.

It does NOT refer to bosses who yell, co-workers who complain and gossip or any of the other work elements that can make a job less than pleasant. A pleasant work environment is not a right. A safe one is -- OSHA.

If you complain to HR rather than your supervisor then your supervisor more than likely will be very unhappy. HR usually just tells your supervisor. You have not complained about anything illegal so only your supervisor can correct it, if you lack the skill or power to make an effective change interpersonally with your co-workers. If you don't feel talking to your supervisor will be helpful or will backfire then you have little recourse then to grin and bear it or to move on. If you forgot to empty the trash and it is part of the job then say thank you, I will do better next time then take out the trash. Sometimes the complaints of others has some value.

If that's not this case...

Obtain a copy of each of your performance evaluations. Send an email to yourself on non-company email about your concerns. Don't complain to anyone at work; commiserate with your friends, family or all-nurses. Stay professional and non-reactive to those in your work environment you feel make you feel uncomfortable and start looking for another job while still employed. You can do it. It is the way of maturity. It is always easier to find a new job while employed then when unemployed, then you don't have to worry about poor references, you've got the new job.

Then submit your resignation, make it very short and simple: "Thank you for the opportunity to work here however I found new employ." Never wise to complain on your way out the door, because it will follow you like a bad memory and won't make a difference to those you left behind except to see you as a grumbling quitter.

netglow, ASN, RN · Dec 10, 2010

I tend to agree with JTW, in that you are leaving. You don't stand to gain anything by doing more than just your job for hopefully the two weeks notice. Always try to remind yourself to think, "What do I stand to gain by saying/doing this thing? What do I stand to lose by saying/doing this thing?" I constantly have to remind myself to ask these questions as it isn't easy when you are peeved, and hurt, and feeling threatened. Most likely you will cause yourself added stress. Remember, after you leave nobody will even care that you were ever there. Harsh, but a good dose of real usually helps me.

And yes its all too bad that it has to be this way, what a world.

Mulan · Dec 10, 2010

There is a way that you can avoid this, but not every one would agree on ethical grounds. Only you know how appropriate the course of action is;
You have sick time built up? Two weeks worth? - Then put in your resignation and be sick for the rest of the time that you have left.

Some places would consider that "leaving without notice".

Some places you have to actually work out the notice, taking sick leave or vacation time

does not count.

sevensonnets · Dec 10, 2010

Hostile working environment forcing you out? EEOC.

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 10, 2010

I'm just afraid they will try to write me up/report me for something stupid (like not taking out the trash at the end of a shift-that was one of the things they pulled on someone). Does it matter if they try to get me in trouble? Can it actually affect anything? Or do I just let them throw their little temper tantrums and walk away?

What's the worst that can happen? You'll get fired? :lol2:

As someone else has said just do your job to the best of your ability, keep your head down and your mouth shut. "getting repoted" and acutally being "written up"which becomes part of your employment file are two very different things. There are plenty of malcontents where I work,too. They are always threatening to "report" someone else.The supervisors and the DON just laugh at them.

I had a nurse freak out and refuse to accept the unit from me one afternoon because she claimed that I had "-moved everything around-the med room was a mess" Yeah-housekeeping had mopped the 8ft by 10 ft medroom and he had left the med cart pushed up against the back wall instead of the left side wall as it usually was. I told her I was going to do a walking round and she could join me or not but afterwards I was dropping the keys to the med room off at the supervisors office. I proceded to do just that-never heard a thing about it. That nurse is retiring soon-she is chronically displeased with life.

Just remember that people like that only have power over you if you give it to them-Keep your power.

nursecass · Dec 10, 2010

Thank you all for the advice! I called HR on my way in this morning and told them that I was worried about retaliation after putting in my resignation because I've seen it happen to 3 other people just in the last year. I did not use the term "hostile work environment", because I am aware that in order to claim that you need a lot of documentation and specific things happening that I'm not sure I can back up. So I just left it as I'm worried about retaliation. The HR lady was really nice and assured me that it is NOT acceptable, and that if ANYTHING happens that I feel that I'm being retaliated against to let them know right away. She opened a "ticket" with my concern, so if I call again it will all be linked back to that.

So I think at this point I think I at least have my bases covered. My letter was very short and to the point-I put in the note that I will work the holidays as I know finding coverage can be especially difficult this time of year but that January 1st will be my last day. Hopefully I can just keep my head down and get out of there with no issues, and I don't think I've burned any bridges. But again, thank you all for the advice-I've never left a job unhappy before so this was all new to me.

Owensaunt · Dec 10, 2010

The only info you need to give is : I resign from my current position. My last day will be ______. And sign it. Make sure you give the appropriate notice. RN's usually have to give 4 weeks.

You can count on a crappy assignment until your done. The only people that need to know why you're leaving is HR/ employee relations. Make sure you have specific examples of hostile behavior. I've been in your shoes. I taped the envelope with my resignation to the managers door because I didn't care to have an indepth conversation about why. Ask for an exit interview.

I am planning on putting in my notice tomorrow because of what I would describe as a hostile work environment. I plan on making my letter short and sweet without elaborating and working through the holidays (because I know they won't be able to get coverage this short of notice), but I am worried about what will happen after this. I am concerned that my manager and some of the nurses will somehow retaliate-I don't really know how, but some of the things they have pulled with co-workers recently has me concerned. Is there a way that I can avoid this or defend myself? Does anyone have and advice or words of wisdom that you can share with me?

Butterfliesnroses · Dec 10, 2010

I can't believe that is serious.
Oh wait yes I can because I had someone come and complain to me that a person on first shift didn't take out any of the trash or recycling. I looked at them and asked "Well in the time you took to come in here and complain about it you could have done it yourself.":devil:
quote]
I know exactly what you mean! One of the CNAs where I work feels the need to tell me EVERY time a bed is wet or a resident is wet or the garbage is taken out or when a resident w/dementia says something that doesn't make sense. As the nurse I LIKE to know abnormals but it gets annoying! I mean when I was a CNA if I found bed soiled or a pt soiled (as long as it wasn't a continuing problem of neglect) I changed the resident/took out the garbage and moved on with my day! Same with if a resident with dementia said something "not right." I'd chart it if need be and move on with my day. I mean sure if it was something reportable I would report it.
To the OP if I were you I'd just mind me Ps and Qs and do the best that I could and move on with my day. Either that or quit without notice but I think that wouldn't look good, so I'd avoid that if at all possible if I were you. Good luck!

DeeAngel · Dec 10, 2010

If you're that worried about retaliation I would lie about my reasons for quitting to other staff members. Tell them you have to care for an elderly relative for a year or so, anything that really couldn't be argued with. Ask you manager to keep it quiet, but word always seems to get out anyway.......