Team issues affecting working environment

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Chippet — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 10:16:41 GMT

Sal, I love this idea of swapping 'worst' jobs - would definitely put things into perspective for some!

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Alison Clare Hickman — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:12:53 GMT

Dear Sal,

I love your work and thoughts. Long may you prosper!

Ali h

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Sal the 1st — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 11:39:52 GMT

The other thing that I meant to post last night - people who openly use the work computer to search for another job - most times I have come across this ( and actually this is a well known game that people play) they are not really serious about finding another job- otherwise they would be doing it at home , so to me this would be a couple of people throwing a hissy because either they feel threatened by a new member of staff, they feel that they haven't been included in a decision which may alter their hierarchy within the team or nobody has really explained to them why there is a need for another nurse in the team (if this is an additional member rather than a replacement). Maybe just talking this out all together will sort this, just to let them know that their job is just as important to the day to day running of the practice but in a different way to yours - but I would still have a quick word with the boss by yourself first.

If this doesn't work and it is still really winding you up then offer them a job swap - ask them what is the worst aspect of their job they would like to swap and you will swap theirs for the worst aspect of your job. I did this with somebody whose main gripe was washing cups in the sink (bearing in mind they were the main producer of cups in the sink) and swapped them for cleaning the body freezer - which was a particularly large chest freezer and to clean it properly you had to climb inside it - result all of a sudden cleaning a few cups was no great chore. Also did this with a 1st year trainee who thought she was a better HN than I was. She didnt even last a day but it sure as hell solved a large part of my problem

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Sal the 1st — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 11:11:28 GMT

would agree -sometimes it is a lot easier to write things down.

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Helen Tottey — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 08:33:01 GMT

Poor you. I would recommend that you speak to your boss too but sometimes emotions get in the way so as you have written this so eloquently, maybe write him a letter and at the end, ask to arrange time to talk about it. that way, he/she knows everything, you won't have missed anything and you can have a productive chat.

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Sal the 1st — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 21:14:26 GMT

BTW would have edited the above post to replace a cople of missing 'U's (biscuit crumbs under the 'U' key ) but the edit doesn't seem to be working?

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Sal the 1st — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 21:07:14 GMT

how long have the reception staff known about the new staff member ? Could it be that they are both feeling a little insecure or a little jealous that there is going to be a new member of nursing staff and they are worried that their noses are going to be a bit pushed out and this is why they are acting up? Maybe they are feeling a little unappreciated at the moment? Have they met the new nurse yet? Would it be a possibility to organise a pizza or a night out to welcome the new nurse before they actually start which would give the reception staff chance to meet them if they haven't already?- if they haven't met the new nurse yet this may well be part of the problem, they may be feeling that their opinion didn't count when the hiring was being done? It could just be that they are worried by change? Is the new nurse a replacement for somebody they got on well with?

Have you tried asking them what it is that they need to be happier? or what it is exactly that is making them so unhappy (don't settle fo vague statements) try and get them to be precise about what it is that makes them unhappy and what wold make them happier.

Would it be a possibility to say to them - look I really want this to work for all of us so can we get together and come up with something to make this happen. If we can't then this might be decided for us so it would be better if we could all get together on this.

I agree with Ali I would have a chat with the boss with a suggested rota, but also to ask if they have any ideas about what has gone wrong or what fixes they have come up with ( they may have information you are not aware of or may have not even noticed there is a real problem)

How long is it before you new nurse starts?

I hope it all works out well for you - its really not nice when this happens in a small close knit team. Same as Ali - give me a shout if you think it is of use

RE: Team issues affecting working environment

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 18:23:23 GMT

Hey there,

Hugs for you trying to make the situation calm and nice for everyone. Bless you.

Here's my bob's worth of advice if it will help...

It looks like you can't control or change anything around you regarding the work environment at the moment, not forgetting you can't change people (only they can effect change in or for themselves).

So... go to the one person who can effect some changes. Your boss. Have an private and honest chat with him or her about the situation and the stress you are under trying to keep all the plates spinning. Particularly about not having regular breaks (health issue and law!).

I'd be canny and go with the problem solved already (a temporary rota until the new nurse starts). I'd advise it being 'green lighted' by your boss and announced to the team as his or her must-have plan to keep the practice in great shape in anticipation of the new nurse starting. When he/she has started and settled in a new rota will be introduced.

I'm thinking a temporary rota that includes all 3 of you doing turns with the cleaning and any other jobs the reception team can help with. A rota that includes breaks for every one of you (including the boss!). Reception should be advised by your boss to manage the daily diary to accommodate the breaks.

How does this sound?

I hope you take good care of your physical and mental health as, by the sounds of it, if you crash and burn there won't be a practice left for your clients to visit...

If you feel you want/need to, please do PM me.

Chin up, chest out (which in my case isn't very far...lol), and onwards!

Ali h