The happy policy

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There's apparently a policy in our workplace, a new one that says something along the line of; Anyone who appears drained, unenthusiastic, unhappy in anyway etc. can be asked by the manager to leave that work day in order to reflect on their behavior. Thoughts? Do you have a policy like this?

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Kind of like the bumper sticker that says "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves."

While one should try not to bring personal problems to work (nor work problems home) one's physical and emotional state varies day-to-day and is not in the full control of the individual.

If someone is grumping constantly to co-workers and patients/families, then yes, that's likely a problem.

I can't avoid looking tired if I am. It happens for many reasons. But I don't have to let everyone know it, either.

If I was asked to go home because I looked tired, I'm pretty sure my "reflection" would include consideration of my resume and where I might send it.....soon.

I was working while getting chemo, and I looked tired a lot. I would have been sent home every day.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Ha!! I'll one up that. I was written up a few months ago for "NOT SMILING ENOUGH." Apparently I didn't give the patient that warm, fuzzy feeling after her craniotomy. She was sedated on Morphine all night. What a low blow. I now smile all the time....no matter what the situation.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
Ha!! I'll one up that. I was written up a few months ago for "NOT SMILING ENOUGH." Apparently I didn't give the patient that warm, fuzzy feeling after her craniotomy. She was sedated on Morphine all night. What a low blow. I now smile all the time....no matter what the situation.

Good lord!! Now we are getting written up for not smiling enough. Seriously not every patient wants the happy nurse who smiles all the time.

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Now let us see if nonsense like that gets enforced...

Grumpy nurse gets to go home early and the rest of you get to pick up an extra patient!

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Wow -- I remember when I decided not to try to get a summer job at Disneyworld because they had a policy like that (and I wasn't willing to be artificially cheerful all the time). Now, hospitals?

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There's apparently a policy in our workplace, a new one that says something along the line of; Anyone who appears drained, unenthusiastic, unhappy in anyway etc. can be asked by the manager to leave that work day in order to reflect on their behavior. Thoughts? Do you have a policy like this?

That policy is crazy.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Ha!! I'll one up that. I was written up a few months ago for "NOT SMILING ENOUGH." Apparently I didn't give the patient that warm, fuzzy feeling after her craniotomy. She was sedated on Morphine all night. What a low blow. I now smile all the time....no matter what the situation.
i;m sorry....sigh

I sit here shaking my head....where will it all end????

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Well, we all can ask for ADA accommodation for depression, stress, etc. It just means they could not judge by your lack of smile. What do they do with someone post stroke, injury or birth injury? Wow.

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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
This is an older thread, but since it has been resuscitated, I will comment :)

I have depression. Sometimes, it affects my mood. I try to not let it affect my work, but sometimes I am not up for "cheerful". They can send me home, but I wonder if it would come under disability discrimination laws? Of course, if it's paid time off, then send me home. I'll reflect at my leisure, but I probably won't be any more cheerful when I come back!

HA! Take that management, I have a doctor's note that says that I can frown to my hearts content! So there! I read part of your post and the first thing I thought about was discrimination and the ADA. Maybe some nurses are just like Grumpy Cat, they can't help the look on their faces.

Grumpy Cat | Know Your Meme

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