What can HR tell prospetive employer?

[suzysuzy]

I need help. I received a written warning (for rude behavior even though the nurse who complained also lied about other things in her complaint that were easily proven to be lies by my manage through charting but the c/o rudeness my manager says its your word against hers and unfortunately she complained first so you have no leg to stand on). Anyway, she says the letter will go to HR and be removed from my file in one year if no problems. I have never had a complaint or been in her office but my unit has gotten really bad since she took over as manager a year ago with MANY nurse having written warnings (including our best, nicest, smartest nurses for stupid things). I think our manager is under heat from above because the staff is so unhappy in our unit and we have a high turnover and a very bad rep in the hospital. Anyway, I really think I should just get out while I can because while I love my co-workers, so many are quitting (2 this week alone) and the manager is such a problem - she talks about the staff in the middle of the unit (the other day she told me about so an so going on disciplinary action for an incident on a day I didn;t work and knew nothing about for no apparent reason). Others have said they have talked to HR but are not supported. Our staff is not supported either by this manager (the other day a great nurse was "fired" from her patient by the family and instaed of discussing it and supporting the nurse the manager just told them, well we want you to be happy and if she doesn;t make you happy we'll get you another nurse and we all had to rearrange and this nurse cried and felt like ****). Anyway, on and on but it is really become a miserable place to be and everyone is so stressed and unhappy that I just want to move on and be happy and stay out of the drama. Sooo....here's the question [sorry for the long rant above].............

1. What can HR tell a prospective employer (will they tell them I now have a written warning --- I don't want to lose out on the tyoe of job at the places I want for looking like a bad employee prospective because I know I am a good nurse and have stacks of letters from co-workers, ancillary staff, other departments, pts and families....but they will mean nothing b/c the new place will never see them if they don;t even interview me or offer me a position b/c I got a bad recommendation from this current place).

2. Should I try to make it a whole year more and then fly the coop when this item is expunged (obvioulsy no guarentees I would not get in trouble though this is the only incident in the many years I have been a nurse - worked in the same ICU/same hospital since graduating).

I guess, I just need advice and am very worried this has screwed me and left me trapped at the current place or risk getting a bad rec and then blackballed from future places because where I would move to get a new job (have been wanting to move for a while now for a change in scenery- wish I would've done it before all this stuuf started) only has two of the types of hodpitals with the unti I would want to work in and I don;t want to change to a different specialty. PLEASE HELP!!!!! Thanks to eevryone who writes!!!!

[Woodenpug, BSN]

The worst thing they can legally say is the employee worked from date to date and was paid x amount. They can also say whether or not they would rehire you.

If that is all they say then you may be screwed. It is known that saying positive things about someone will not get the institution sued. Saying only the minimum implies that something is wrong with the employee. Some call it "Damming by faint praise."

One write up will not likely cause a bad reference.

[Atheos]

I need help. I received a written warning (for rude behavior even though the nurse who complained also lied about other things in her complaint that were easily proven to be lies by my manage through charting but the c/o rudeness my manager says its your word against hers and unfortunately she complained first so you have no leg to stand on). Anyway, she says the letter will go to HR and be removed from my file in one year if no problems. I have never had a complaint or been in her office but my unit has gotten really bad since she took over as manager a year ago with MANY nurse having written warnings (including our best, nicest, smartest nurses for stupid things). I think our manager is under heat from above because the staff is so unhappy in our unit and we have a high turnover and a very bad rep in the hospital. Anyway, I really think I should just get out while I can because while I love my co-workers, so many are quitting (2 this week alone) and the manager is such a problem - she talks about the staff in the middle of the unit (the other day she told me about so an so going on disciplinary action for an incident on a day I didn;t work and knew nothing about for no apparent reason). Others have said they have talked to HR but are not supported. Our staff is not supported either by this manager (the other day a great nurse was "fired" from her patient by the family and instaed of discussing it and supporting the nurse the manager just told them, well we want you to be happy and if she doesn;t make you happy we'll get you another nurse and we all had to rearrange and this nurse cried and felt like ****). Anyway, on and on but it is really become a miserable place to be and everyone is so stressed and unhappy that I just want to move on and be happy and stay out of the drama. Sooo....here's the question [sorry for the long rant above].............

1. What can HR tell a prospective employer (will they tell them I now have a written warning --- I don't want to lose out on the tyoe of job at the places I want for looking like a bad employee prospective because I know I am a good nurse and have stacks of letters from co-workers, ancillary staff, other departments, pts and families....but they will mean nothing b/c the new place will never see them if they don;t even interview me or offer me a position b/c I got a bad recommendation from this current place).

2. Should I try to make it a whole year more and then fly the coop when this item is expunged (obvioulsy no guarentees I would not get in trouble though this is the only incident in the many years I have been a nurse - worked in the same ICU/same hospital since graduating).

I guess, I just need advice and am very worried this has screwed me and left me trapped at the current place or risk getting a bad rec and then blackballed from future places because where I would move to get a new job (have been wanting to move for a while now for a change in scenery- wish I would've done it before all this stuuf started) only has two of the types of hodpitals with the unti I would want to work in and I don;t want to change to a different specialty. PLEASE HELP!!!!! Thanks to eevryone who writes!!!!

Well There is good news and bad news.

Bad news first:

The worst thing they can legally say is the employee worked from date to date and was paid x amount.

• Your HR department can legally tell them anything they want.

Good News :

• They probably won't say anything whatsoever. HR departments tend to totally clam up for risk of saying one thing wrong and ending up with a slander and/or libel suit. If they say something that they can't prove and it results in financial damages to you (i.e. not getting a job) they can be held liable. Most just divulge dates of employment. Of course smaller companies may and if someone at your new job knows someone at your old job.... SHRUG. As big as this world is, health care is a small world and nursing is even smaller. Everyone knows someone that knows someone that knows you.

Get out while you still can I say. There are better places to work. :)

[RNBelle]

Where I work, after I gave my notice of resignation a form was filled out for HR. It was a reference form they keep in HR when new prospecitve employers call. Basically mine had boxes that were checked like - "employee in good standing", "employee competent", "employee left on good terms". things to that nature. my experience with my current HR dept is one where they only say very limited things due to law suits, etc. I wouldnt worry about it too much. Things happen and you are not the first nurse with a letter in your file nor will you be the last. I know it sucks royally but I doubt it will keep you from getting a better job.

[caliotter3]

It is unlikely that anyone in HR would say anything about such a letter. They normally only give the basics to avoid problems and leave the specifics to individuals in the organization. If you are badmouthed or praised, it is more likely to come from your immediate supervisor or department head, not the people in HR.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

Nicely paraphrased.