I'm not sure where this needs to be posted so I'll let the moderators decide. I would like some feedback on a project I've done in the past without incident but the socio-political climate has changed somewhat since the last time I did this-I would like to get an overall sense of whether or not it is safe for me to do the following:
I want to thank the CNAs and floor nursing staff of the SNF I work at as an MDS Coordinator. Our facility is family-owned and the owners are our admin and asst admin. There has never been any incentive on their part to show any staff appreciation. In earlier times, I would buy some small gift bags, some dollar items like hand sanitizer, chapstick or something similar I could buy in bulk from Amazon, make some homemade treats, and get some individually wrapped candies. I would tie the bags off with ribbon and attach a card that said "Thank you so much for all you've done throughout the year to care for those who can no longer care for themselves. God bless you, and Merry Christmas from you Care Plan Coordinator".
I do this with my money and gather everything on my personal time. I just don't want anything said about the way I word the card; I truly want God to bless them and I believe in saying Merry Christmas. I also don't want to find myself in a lawsuit because someone is allergic to something I made. But these ladies and gentlemen work hard and long hours because we are persistently short-staffed; they have not had any cost of living raises in four years, and this year were not even recognized during National Nurses Week or National Nursing Home Week. Morale is in the tank, and I'm powerless to do anything other than show support, help out when i can, and do something small like this to show them I do care.
My admin doesn't have any objections, as long as I clock out before handing them out, or if I leave them in my office and allow them to come in and quickly pick them up.
I would just like some feedback from nursing to see if anyone can foresee me (or the facility) having any legal repercussions down the road.
I think what you are doing is lovely. Showing your appreciation to the hard working staff is a wonderful gesture and it's sad that you need to be concerned about the wording on a sincerely written note. While I am not particularly religious I can't imagine being offended by somebody writing God Bless You on a Christmas card. If this has never been a concern where you work in the past, why make it a concern now? I do think it's a great idea to include a recipe card if there are home made goodies. Not only does this let anybody with allergies know if there is something in them to avoid, the recipe card will let those that really enjoy them recreate them later.
Again, just my personal opinion, but I don't think the ingredient lists are necessary. This isn't a preschool classroom where the kiddos don't know what they can or can't eat, let alone what is in a particular goodie.
These are all adults entrusted with the care of vulnerable people. Surely they can look out for themselves by knowing their own allergies/sensitivities and avoiding food where there is any question of ingredients.
I take home-made treats to work all the time. People either eat them or not. But a pan of cookies never lasts a full shift and no one has ever been sickened by them.
Once again, thank you for what you are doing :)
As a person with newer food allergies, I would greatly appreciate a list of ingredients. I've had to take benadryl at CEU class before because no one labeled the whole grain orange muffins as having diced walnuts. And I didn't find out until after the first bite. It's not childish of me to not want to find out too late that I'm allergic to unlabeled food.
Op, do what you do. I'm not Christian myself, and I'd probably just roll my eyes at the insistence of the Christian emphasis.
In other words, you have no respect for cultures and beliefs besides your own. Have you considered that some people do not *want* to be blessed by god or to celebrate Christmas or be blasted with "Merry Christmas" constantly from presumptuous people?
Wow...just....wow.
I admit when I first read your post it gave me pause and I was somewhat taken aback. But thinking on it, although I feel your tone is a bit harsh, if I am to follow the tenets of Christianity, I am supposed to be careful not to offend others with my beliefs.
VANurse, I'm really sorry you feel I have ulterior motives for wishing a Merry Christmas and a blessing on those I spend more time with than my family. I truly don't; I've worked with these people a long time and have grown close to many of them. Still, if there is one who feels as you do, and I offend them, I've failed in my efforts to be kind to all. So, I appreciate the heads-up.
"Blessings during the Holiday season and year-round" it will be. No sense in inviting anyone to presume I'm attempting anything but showing I care. [emoji4]
If this has never been a concern where you work in the past, why make it a concern now? I do think it's a great idea to include a recipe card if there are home made goodies. Not only does this let anybody with allergies know if there is something in them to avoid, the recipe card will let those that really enjoy them recreate them later.
The concern arose because when I shared my plan with a newer coworker (she asked about Christmas activities provided for the employees) and she had a story about her former employer getting in trouble with the ACLU over a similar (but not identical) incident. I haven't done this in a few years d/t some personal issues that seemed to have always arisen around this time of year that demanded most of my free time.
I usually bake several different small items so I would have to include a recipe for each one; I think I'll just stick with individually wrapped commercial candy, so those with allergies should be safe to open the bag.
Even off the clock, if it is seen as being given by the company. Even if you have been doing this for years, all it takes is a new manager or someone in corporate to say no and you are out of luck. Be smarter. "Happy Holidays and Blessings in the upcoming New Year".
Put it out if your mind, give your gifts, and then say a little something nice about every one of them for their personnel files with a little note. Raises, not roses, and all that.
Bless you and Merry Christmas.
If I could, I would. While my job is administrative, I have no say in employee evaluations.
As a person with newer food allergies, I would greatly appreciate a list of ingredients. I've had to take benadryl at CEU class before because no one labeled the whole grain orange muffins as having diced walnuts. And I didn't find out until after the first bite. It's not childish of me to not want to find out too late that I'm allergic to unlabeled food.
Op, do what you do. I'm not Christian myself, and I'd probably just roll my eyes at the insistence of the Christian emphasis.
I'm sorry you had a reaction to a snack at work, but it seems odd to me that an adult with known food allergies would choose to eat an unknown food without asking about ingredients. I don't see that as the responsibility of the person providing an optional snack to adults. Kids I can understand, because they might not have to foresight to ask.
Just my perspective.
As others have said. It reflects a sad state of our society that a good deed requires so much effort to avoid offense and liability.
kbrn2002, ADN, RN
3,973 Posts
I think what you are doing is lovely. Showing your appreciation to the hard working staff is a wonderful gesture and it's sad that you need to be concerned about the wording on a sincerely written note. While I am not particularly religious I can't imagine being offended by somebody writing God Bless You on a Christmas card. If this has never been a concern where you work in the past, why make it a concern now? I do think it's a great idea to include a recipe card if there are home made goodies. Not only does this let anybody with allergies know if there is something in them to avoid, the recipe card will let those that really enjoy them recreate them later.