Supposedly SEX at work is okay where I work.

[bth44]

I really hope someone can give me some insight(specifically someone who's a supervisor or manager), because at this time, I'm very offended and upset.

I was charge nurse on a unit a few nights ago, overlooking a female CNA who has been having a little romance with a male CNA from a different unit. I believe they think that no one knows about it all.

Another CNA who I often work with and regard as someone very trusting and honest, as well as a great CNA all around, confided in me that he saw these two CNAs come out of a darkened, secluded patient waiting room very early in the morning after their break. He said that he saw that the male was sweating a bit, and the female was flushed and had what he perceived as a guilty, sheepish look on her face. He never saw anything go on, but what he did see gave him the impression more was going on than sleeping while on break.

Since this woman was working with me, and since this other CNA who confided in me seemed off-put by what he saw, I went to the nursing supervisor working that night. This supervispr told me that it was very inappropriate, could result in dismissal if they were caught, and that while nothing was seen, there was enough to be seen in order to raise suspicion, and the eyes will now be open. She gave me the impression that I did the right thing by telling her. She also told me to discuss this with another supervisor who will be supervising the hospital when these two CNAs are scheduled.

As the first supervisor said, I went to speak with the second supervisor. This is where things get very weird for me. The second supervisor told me that our breaks aren't paid, so employees can do pretty much what they want to on their breaks, because it's their own time. She was mostly concerned about things going on in a public place, like a waiting room. She gave me the idea that she doesn't care if anyone does some sort of sexual activity on their breaks while in the hospital, as long as they go somewhere private where they won't be found. She said, and I quote, "If there's a patient room that's open, you can close the curtains, lock the door...just don't mess up the bed." I was completely horrified and, I hate to admit it, but I almost started crying. The clincher was the last thing she said to me, and that being, "If you were to knock on my locked office door and there was no answer, best to just keep walking, because my husband might be visiting me late at night." I was so shocked by what this self-proclaiming Christian said, that I didn't have the mind to say anything about it. I hurried up and got out of there quickly.

It doesn't bother me that these two CNAs might have been up to no good, because the big word there is MIGHT. What really bothers me here is that one supervisor tells me that what they could have been doing was a no-no, and another supervisor pretty much telling me that breaks can be spend any which way, and that it's all really none of my business unless I catch them in the act. But, if these two CNAs aren't very good at hiding themselves (because they raised a lot of suspicion looking and acting the way they did(, I'm worried that I could catch these two in a compromising position later on, which is really something I don't have the stomach to see.

So...please...anyone who's worked at a lot of hospitals, anyone who's a nursing supervisor, nurse manager, whomever, PLEASE give me your opinions about doing anything physical on the job. I personally see if offensive to the facility, lack of respect for co-workers, as well as lack of self-respect. I really don't like the idea of break being my own time so that means I could do anything I wanted. I'm sorry, but if someone knows that their lover is working that night and they'll get to fool around with them later, their mind is probably preoccupied with that and not really focused on patient care. People who drink on the job are probably preoccupied with getting a fix or being drunk, and someone would lose their license for that, so why not something that a co-worker, patient, or patient family member might see.

So, please tell me if I'm wrong in this situation. All of the other nurses I confided in think that I'm right and that this 2nd superivisor has a screwy way of doing things. I'd ike to know if I'm wrong in this situation.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Leave your private business at HOME.

IMO, this is just as you said above... lack of respect.. of self, and toward the facility, patients, and coworkers.

This is shocking to me as well.

Definately a first (the answer you recieived). :stone

[gypsyatheart]

If you are in charge and this CNA is working under you, why don't you just take him/her aside privately and let her know that if she and her "boyfriend" are going to take their break together, they need to behave appropriately in public areas of the hospital. If they go outside to their car or something, then I guess it is their business what they're doing. Doesn't mean you have to like it....

[Cute_CNA, CNA]

I think your concern is well-founded. The CNAs are not to be doing that kind of stuff in a public area, nor should the second supervisor be doing that. Would you go to the local mall and screw in an isolated corner? I'd hope not! Neither should these people be screwing on the job.

I say you should go another step on the chain of command and let that 2nd supervisor's boss know what's going on (the DON?), as well tell him/her about the antics of the CNAs. That kind of behavior should never be tolerated, ever.

I'm not sure how I feel about employees having sex on hospital grounds, rather in the hospital building itself. I'm not sure how that is viewed.

[jsteine1]

I really hope someone can give me some insight(specifically someone who's a supervisor or manager), because at this time, I'm very offended and upset.

I was charge nurse on a unit a few nights ago, overlooking a female CNA who has been having a little romance with a male CNA from a different unit. I believe they think that no one knows about it all.

You already know the answer to this. Of course, thats completely inapproriate behavior assuming its true. The problem is, its all who said what, he said she saw, to whom and why, blah blah.. In other words, you didnt walk in on them. Its all here-say. Granted, it might be true, but its still second or third hand info.

The response of your sup was a very bad attempt at misplaced humour. Not good, unprofessional, but she probably didnt know what to do with your information and unfortunately tried to make it go away in the only way she could figure out. Its not the kind of managerial issue brought to the table every day, thank God. I would like you to consider that she may be more concerned about this than she let on, but did not know how to handle this correctly with you because she had no idea how to approach such a sensitive issue. Let it go for now and see if there is any change in the level of supervision of the individuals involved in the next few weeks. You did what you thought was right, now let management take over.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

sex at work happens, but it's not ok in most places of employment. nor do i think it should be. when i think about the sexual hi-jinks i've bumbled into at work, none of it was between two individuals who were free and clear or even married to each other. there was the married surgeon who had affairs going on with several icu nurses at the same time. my ex-husband's first wife, the pt who had a go with one of her patients. my ex himself, a nurse who took it upon himself to "relieve the sexual pressures" of the wife of a patient who had been hospitalized for several months. (no, i didn't know about it before i married him, and yes, it contributed to my long list of reasons to divorce him.) there was the director of nurses in an exam room with the medical director of the er whose wife, the head nurse of the er divorced him when she heard. there was the prostitute who frequented the men's ward of a hospital i used to work in. you catch my drift, i'm sure. very rarely is it two single people who don't mess anything up in their zeal to have sex on their breaks. very rarely is it two people who are married to each other. if a married couple want to have sex in the office of one of the partners and lock the door during time when they are officially on break, well, ok. but that's almost never the case.

frankly, i think your second supervisor has a screw loose -- keep an eye out for those two and document. and keep an eye out for that supervisor, too!

ruby

[DusktilDawn]

I know at my facility that if employees were caught in shall we say a compromising position in the facility, that would be grounds for termination.

The second supervisor you spoke to sounds like she has a few toys in the attic.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Wow, what a situation. I think that you should talk to them each privately so that they know that people are not stupid and have pretty much figured out what they are doing. Maybe it will stop if they become embarassed (let's hope).

If not, then just continue to do your business and look the other way. You don't want extra problems in your life and you did all you could already by bringing it up to the supervisor.

It is appaling to me to read what she told you. But atleast you know how things are dealt with there.

Good luck. :)

[chadash]

Oy!

[thecitadel80]

Clarification: breaks are paid time, lunch is not.

Any activity on company property is subject to disciplinary action.

Unless there is first hand knowledge, accusations are in the category of rumor. I would not get burned up about anything I did not have first hand knowledge of. Just keep your eyes open. The supervisor of the employee is obligated to address known violations of policy. This could simply be friendly advice up to warnings or letters to managment. People usually respond.

[dbsn00]

I had a charge nurse & unit manager who would "disappear" for a half hour or so daily - they were never caught but it was so obvious what was going on (this was on the 7-3 shift too!). No one knew where their secret spot was (people actually tried to catch them in the act), & it took almost 6 months & numerous complaints from different staff before the corporate office took action - our DON knew but did nothing until someone complained to our blissfully unaware administrator who was horrified of course. These two were married but as is usually the case not to each other. I've also worked with a few people who could be seen outside in their cars on an "extended" break with people who were most definitely not their spouses. Whether you're happily married or not, single or whatever, exhibit some self control & work it out on your off hours! :chuckle

Also had a few EMTs tell me some sex stories at certain hospitals & LTCs, usually on the night shift...maybe this is where the "naughty nurse" sydrome was originated... :chuckle

[button2cute]

I really hope someone can give me some insight(specifically someone who's a supervisor or manager), because at this time, I'm very offended and upset.

I was charge nurse on a unit a few nights ago, overlooking a female CNA who has been having a little romance with a male CNA from a different unit. I believe they think that no one knows about it all.

Another CNA who I often work with and regard as someone very trusting and honest, as well as a great CNA all around, confided in me that he saw these two CNAs come out of a darkened, secluded patient waiting room very early in the morning after their break. He said that he saw that the male was sweating a bit, and the female was flushed and had what he perceived as a guilty, sheepish look on her face. He never saw anything go on, but what he did see gave him the impression more was going on than sleeping while on break.

Since this woman was working with me, and since this other CNA who confided in me seemed off-put by what he saw, I went to the nursing supervisor working that night. This supervispr told me that it was very inappropriate, could result in dismissal if they were caught, and that while nothing was seen, there was enough to be seen in order to raise suspicion, and the eyes will now be open. She gave me the impression that I did the right thing by telling her. She also told me to discuss this with another supervisor who will be supervising the hospital when these two CNAs are scheduled.

As the first supervisor said, I went to speak with the second supervisor. This is where things get very weird for me. The second supervisor told me that our breaks aren't paid, so employees can do pretty much what they want to on their breaks, because it's their own time. She was mostly concerned about things going on in a public place, like a waiting room. She gave me the idea that she doesn't care if anyone does some sort of sexual activity on their breaks while in the hospital, as long as they go somewhere private where they won't be found. She said, and I quote, "If there's a patient room that's open, you can close the curtains, lock the door...just don't mess up the bed." I was completely horrified and, I hate to admit it, but I almost started crying. The clincher was the last thing she said to me, and that being, "If you were to knock on my locked office door and there was no answer, best to just keep walking, because my husband might be visiting me late at night." I was so shocked by what this self-proclaiming Christian said, that I didn't have the mind to say anything about it. I hurried up and got out of there quickly.

It doesn't bother me that these two CNAs might have been up to no good, because the big word there is MIGHT. What really bothers me here is that one supervisor tells me that what they could have been doing was a no-no, and another supervisor pretty much telling me that breaks can be spend any which way, and that it's all really none of my business unless I catch them in the act. But, if these two CNAs aren't very good at hiding themselves (because they raised a lot of suspicion looking and acting the way they did(, I'm worried that I could catch these two in a compromising position later on, which is really something I don't have the stomach to see.

So...please...anyone who's worked at a lot of hospitals, anyone who's a nursing supervisor, nurse manager, whomever, PLEASE give me your opinions about doing anything physical on the job. I personally see if offensive to the facility, lack of respect for co-workers, as well as lack of self-respect. I really don't like the idea of break being my own time so that means I could do anything I wanted. I'm sorry, but if someone knows that their lover is working that night and they'll get to fool around with them later, their mind is probably preoccupied with that and not really focused on patient care. People who drink on the job are probably preoccupied with getting a fix or being drunk, and someone would lose their license for that, so why not something that a co-worker, patient, or patient family member might see.

So, please tell me if I'm wrong in this situation. All of the other nurses I confided in think that I'm right and that this 2nd superivisor has a screwy way of doing things. I'd ike to know if I'm wrong in this situation.

Hello, All

I understand how you must of felt about the situation. However, you had recieved second handed information and the cna did not see a thing. Only thing he saw was sweaty and flush appearance. Therefore, the cna had made an assumption about their characteristics of having "knocked boots" or "consentual sexual activity located in the inappropraite area".

I would had not taken to the supervisor at all. I would had held an inservice a few nights later. The inservice would state the rules of the hospital for breaktime as well as appropriate areas for interaction with lovers/significant others/spouse/gf/bf. I would be neutral about the situation, not accusing anyone or allowing people that I knew something, and show my concern in a constructal way. I would begin reading an article about sexual activity with patients andthe consequences. Also, I would talk about it and lead into the medical personnel's behavior on the shift according to the hospital rules and during breaks.

In addition, There are a lot of controversial issues that occur in hospitals between the medical personnel. Some people turn the cheek and others do not. The consequences of revealing what you seen among medical personnel may cost your employment or other reprecussions toweard you. I would use the correct judgement in every situation. For example, the cnas will be terminate, no cost to the hospital and easily replace. On the other hand, the best lung surgeon in the hospital is caught, would not be terminate cause he brings money into the hospital and would be a higher cost to the hospital and the nurse will have a tough way to go/be repremand by the doctor in question. Sometimes, you can make a settle stateme in genral ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Good Luck

Buttons