ok to cry!!!!

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Mand — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:56:15 GMT

Nobody should have to put up with that, like Caro says write everything down, no matter how slight it seems, dates/time etc. It all counts. If there is no support from the immediate boss (and did someone say ur cvs?) go higher, that's what I would do - go to your clinical director with all the issues that have arisen. He can't keep upsetting the team like that! As HN , also for cvs, I would not be too happy at all if a vet was doing this to my team of nurses, locum or otherwise! Grrrrr...

Has anything happened since you posted??

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:17:04 GMT

But from reading the original post it sounds like the boss is always going to come down on the side of the locum as they are 'bringing in the money' - so refusing to help the vet could be taken as the nurse being unreasonable - even insubordination - and result in diciplinary action being taken against the nurse. Completely unfair if they are just reacting to the bad behaviour - but possible. As has been said, it would be better to discuss your problems directly with the locum and if nothing changes then follow the practice grievance procedures. I'd be careful about just walking away from them - you may be told to keep walking..... . I realise you'd be able to sue for constructive dismissal etc - but that is best avoided eh?

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Nikki Graef — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:09:59 GMT

Id stand up to the locum vet involved, if he behaves unreasonably calmly say i wont be spoken to like that and walk away. Maybe once all the nurses walk out on him he may realise the behaviour is not acceptable and start treating them better

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Sal the 1st — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:42:48 GMT

is this locum vet maybe stressed themselves, is this the way they have normally behaved - ie is this the reason they are a locum because they have problems working as a team member.

my advice would be to do everything by the book - if reporting the grievance to the boss has not worked and you are part of a group then there should be a grievance procedure in the employee handbook which tells you what to do in those cases that cannot be resolved by speaking to the boss. Yes it will probably cause some bad feeling but will the bad feeling be anyworse than it is now? and maybe it will send a clear message to your boss that staff concerns cannot be ignored

would also agree keep a record of everything

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Selena Carnell — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:50:37 GMT

i would be inclined to refuse to work with him, if he is being abusive and agressive to people, then i think anyone is entitled to be given a bit of respect, maybe he will learn no one will co-operate if he acts like this.

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:45:31 GMT

What a short-sighted boss. I've sacked a vet (after 6 months working for us) on the basis that he didn't manage to work well in a team - it affected the whole practice really badly.

I'd love to give you useful advice but veterinary practice is a dictatorship, not a democracy. If the person leading you is not going to tackle the problem, things are unlikely to change. I would concentrate on talking to your nursing team about coping mechanisms - not taking comments personally, leaving work at work etc - so that it doesn't affect them too much. I'm not excusing the behaviour at all - you are certainly in your rights to follow up action against bullying - but unfortunately any action would need to come from the top. If the vet has the support of the boss, they won't change. In these circumstances it will probably take the loss of some staff for the boss to think there IS a problem.

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Maisy — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:07:59 GMT

Plus as permanent staff your boss should hold a duty of care to them, not going to make anyone feel respected or as part of a team if they're told just to get on with it!

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Honeybadger — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:06:17 GMT

Or perhaps have a quiet word with the locum. I had an experience recently when I heard someone at work being verbally abusive towards me (they didnt know I could hear them). I approached them and explanied that I didn't appreciate there behaviour and they back tracked immediately and apologised. I think sometimes people are quite taken about if you confront them about their behaviour.

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Honeybadger — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:03:46 GMT

I see you work in a CVS practice. I know it wouldn'y make you very popular with the boss but you could put your concerns in writing and speak to someone 'higher up' like the regional manager.

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Mac Feather — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:54:12 GMT

Surely no 1 member of the team is more important than the practice as a whole.

Oh those kinds of coments from your boss anger me! And the attitude of the locum is just dreadful-hardly professional of him.

I hope things get better for you, let us know how you get on.

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Steph Phillips — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:45:57 GMT

What Caro said!! Sounds like he thinks his level of inteligence gives him the right of authority!! Even though he's a vet, does not make him better than any of you.. for a start, he can't do his job without you all!! dont take any of it.. I wouldn't!

Good luck with it all xxx

Re: ok to cry!!!!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:20:58 GMT

What he is doing is called bullying. There is now bullying cases coming up in court costing companys 1000s of £. I suggest you contact CAB or BVNA and ask about the law regarding l also have my website if that is a help.
Tell the nurses to keep a note of ALL that goes on and try to get witness statements signed as well.