And Over
Several months ago I worked for one of the most prominent hospitals in Philadelphia. I loved my position because of the people I worked with and for, the people I helped and associated with.
What I didn’t like was the person I worked under and how they decided to associate with me. I use the word decided, because at one time my manager and I got along and very well. At one time, they expressed appreciation for my work ethics with promotions and raises and I appreciated their recognition with dependability and respect.
One day the promotions seized, not because I wasn’t worthy of another, but because there was nowhere else to go, except out and onto another place of work. I was okay with staying where I was and working with them because I loved the connection. The raises continued, though not as high as before, but because that was part of the employment contract. Not receiving the high raises didn’t faze me, because I loved what I did.
My first position was located within the clinic, where my manager was able to see what I did and when I did it. My last position was located within the hospital, which was nowhere near my manager’s sight. Now it was the in-hospital physicians and other co-workers whom saw my work ethics and how I extended myself.
They said and I did, my manager said and I did, my co-workers said and I did. The patients called and I answered, the other doctors called and I went, the students needed to be trained and I trained. I hadn’t changed my loyalty and neither did my respect falter.
The situation was that my manager no longer saw and though people spoke well and accredited letters were written on my behalf they refused to acknowledge.
They instead began to believe the negative impute that came from one student who claimed that they were with me during a morning when they were supposed to be at the clinic training on how to be a good M.A. and yet was in neither place. I remember the one line that caught my attention within my first write up, “Inappropriate conduct with a student.” I also remember saying, “It sounds like I’m having an affair with the student,” and refused to sign the paper.
I’m not going to sit here and say I was the perfect employee, because I wasn’t and till this day I’m not. I’ve had my lateness, I’ve had my unscheduled PTO and I’ve had moments when I had to admit personal wrongdoing.There are no
perfect employees or perfect managers. Unfortunately and fortunately we’re
human.
I truly believe
that a manager/supervisor has the right to constitute the proper discipline,
but they don’t have the right to demean or intimidate anyone because of the
authority they have over their employee.
During my last
three years of my eleven years of working there I had gotten so tired of being
called to my managers office and had become so overwhelmed with their daily
calls of wanting to know what I was doing. Not out of disrespect to them, but
because I was being reprimanded for things I had nothing to do with, or was
being trained for something that had nothing to do with my position or the
department that associated me to the hospital.
The conference
calls between them and me, though they didn’t know I knew, included an
anonymous person whom sat in their office and listened at the mockery my
manager portrayed toward me.
- Does
this sound schizophrenic? Yes
- Could
it be me simply being an unappreciative bad employee? Yes
But I assure it
wasn’t. My coworkers, the ones working in the clinic, shared their daily events
with this same manager, listening to how one had a nervous breakdown or how the
atmosphere changed upon their arrival. My coworkers, the ones whom worked alongside
me, saw my work ethics diminish and my cheerful nature transform.
I recall returning
from my manager’s office with the desire to hurt them. I was walking in circles
trying to calm myself when one of the doctors tapped my shoulders and asked
what the matter was. My answer was, “I feel like beating the living s---t out
of …”
My coworker, whose
desk is several feet away, looked up at me with wide eyes shock at how they were
able to hear my manager through my phone. I admit yelling back and then running
into the bathroom and with anger punched the wall. My coworker followed and
asked through the door if I was okay.
Every morning
after that I hoped and wished that this was the day I was to be fired and every
other day I pleaded to God to transform me into the loving spirit He had
created me to be, the one I found in Him.
My last right up
was based on someone overhearing me speak to someone on the office phone about
an incident that occurred between a teacher and a sixteen year old student.
Though I explained that the patient began the small talk and that I had
switched the conversation to what they needed, I was written up for speaking
about the news and not about work. According to my manager I had no authority
to talk about anything other than work issues to clients and coworkers. If
they, this included the doctors I worked with, spoke to me of any subject
outside of my daily work I was to redirect from the conversation.
NOTE: There is so much more to this particular story
that every time I tell it the expression behind the word “What?” and the
comments that come afterward are always the same.
You’re probably
thinking, Why didn’t she apply for
another position in the hospital?
- Per hospital rule my manager had the right
to refuse me wanting to transfer and anyone hiring me within another
department. They had done it before.
- I wanted to work in an environment of one-on-one
communication with people who needed me – my cheerfulness, my compassion and my
helping hand.
“Hi,
Ms. Heathers!”
STEPPING
- a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down
again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in
the direction of the new position
UP - in a more elevated position
Every time I
went to church I sought God with tears. I didn’t want to go back to the old me
and I refused hating my manager for the state I felt they were placing me in.
Monday’s were
the continuation of Sunday’s word pouring into me, while Tuesday was the
beginning of it gradually pouring out of me. Wednesday night I served in Youth
and allowed its essence to flow, while Thursday I returned to a heavy forum
between my carnal self and my spiritual self. Friday’s came with the battle of
elation for the weekend and the disorientation of knowing that the upcoming
week I’d be back.
Despite of all
that I had determined to pray blessing over my manager and the few who sided
with them against me. I continued to speak God’s love over me and that it would
overflow onto them.
I wasn’t about
to step down from where God had placed me. I instead stepped up to where He
needed me to be by stopping myself and refusing to speak evil against them,
because I knew (and know) that the spoken word is a powerful weapon.
I consider loyalty
to be one of the greatest virtues
a person can acquire.
- Faithfulness
to commitments or obligations
- Moral
excellence; goodness; righteousness
- To gain for oneself through one's actions or efforts
Loyal
to whom?
- To God, because
if it hadn’t been for Him I wouldn’t have been where I was. In a position of
financial, personal and spiritual growth in between the stress I was in.
- Second was to my
family, though they saw and felt what I was going through I was negated to
bring my anger and stress and sadness and plant it in our atmosphere.
- my
place of work. I had a position to maintain and a job to do that many expected
me to do. I didn’t serve my doctors unwillingly, nor did I assist whoever
needed my assistance bitterly. I instead
took charge in the only way I knew best …
AND
OVER
above in place or position
above and to the other side
of
Several years
prior to the conflicts the corporate offices had contracted a billing company
that eventually took over the in-hospital medical billing, which was part of my
daily schedule. I admit that it was a benefit for my doctors, but at the end it
had taken two hours of my work day away enforcing me to find other work to fill
that in. Thank God I was needed for translation.
Sadly the
translating had to be limited because my manager didn’t like me being away from
my desk and working side by side with the doctors she had assigned me to work
with and for.
Along with that,
corporate had also contracted a new computer program that would make the work
flow easier for everyone associated with the hospital – inside and out.
Progressive change
is always good unless it affects you in a negative way.
Several months
into the New Year there were monthly meeting held that primarily discussed the
fact that the new medical program would be able to dictate letters and send it
directly to the appropriate people, make it easier for physicians to complete
medical paperwork and notes, and file it in medical records. Meaning, it was taking
over much of my administrative duties and in several more months my hours would
be cut down to two a day.
Which
would you choose?
I had already
applied and was interviewed by several places. Unfortunately I was either over
or underqualified. A few places wanted my skills and were willing to pay me
well, but they were either too far or not what I was now thriving for.
And then I received
a call to which I answered yes to. Yes to getting all kinds of background
checks and yes to handing in my two week resignation.
I will never
forget that Monday morning. My manager called my cell and explained that they
needed to see me before 9 a.m. I explained, just as previous times, that on
Monday mornings I had to complete work for my doctors that pertained to the
past weekend, work that took time to complete. I couldn’t be there until 10am
or later. Upon my arrival I said my hello’s to the clinic staff and then entered
their office to then be yelled at for being late to the appointment. I simply
sat there and stared silently until they were finished and then said that I
needed to tell the something.
Their response, “You’ll
wait till I finish!”
I nodded and
they began to explain how I was to be trained to scan paperwork into the
computerized in-hospital files. I intern
explained the problem with that idea, which should have been common sense to
someone in their position.
“I would have to
be staffed by the hospital filing department,” which was impossible since they
had let go of many people because of the new program.
A light bulb
seemed to have turned on, but because they were the type that didn’t like to be
proven wrong, it turned off again to then ask, “What is it that you need to
say.”
“I’m giving you
my two week resignation.”
If only I could’ve
taken a picture of the expression. They were mute for a bit and when they spoke
the words stumbled out.
My
last day was on Friday and my first day was the following Monday. The same Monday
when my administrative duties would deteriorate to a measly two hours and the
new program would officially take over.
What I
Have Learned?
Have I learned
not to trust my present manager or coworkers? No. That wouldn’t be fair or
Godlike.
What I learned …
“You
continue to walk Despite the facts. Sometimes you’ll run – praising God through
everything. Unfortunately, you will fall, but thank our Father that Psalms 30
verse 5 says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
For every time you fall, make it a determination to get up and even stronger.”
I’m not going to sit here and say I was the perfect employee, because I wasn’t and till this day I’m not. I’ve had my lateness, I’ve had my unscheduled PTO and I’ve had moments when I had to admit personal wrongdoing.There are no
perfect employees or perfect managers. Unfortunately and fortunately we’re
human.
I truly believe
that a manager/supervisor has the right to constitute the proper discipline,
but they don’t have the right to demean or intimidate anyone because of the
authority they have over their employee.
During my last
three years of my eleven years of working there I had gotten so tired of being
called to my managers office and had become so overwhelmed with their daily
calls of wanting to know what I was doing. Not out of disrespect to them, but
because I was being reprimanded for things I had nothing to do with, or was
being trained for something that had nothing to do with my position or the
department that associated me to the hospital.
The conference
calls between them and me, though they didn’t know I knew, included an
anonymous person whom sat in their office and listened at the mockery my
manager portrayed toward me.
- Does this sound schizophrenic? Yes
- Could it be me simply being an unappreciative bad employee? Yes
But I assure it
wasn’t. My coworkers, the ones working in the clinic, shared their daily events
with this same manager, listening to how one had a nervous breakdown or how the
atmosphere changed upon their arrival. My coworkers, the ones whom worked alongside
me, saw my work ethics diminish and my cheerful nature transform.
I recall returning
from my manager’s office with the desire to hurt them. I was walking in circles
trying to calm myself when one of the doctors tapped my shoulders and asked
what the matter was. My answer was, “I feel like beating the living s---t out
of …”
On another occasion
I went to the bathroom when they happened to call the office phone. Since I
didn’t answer, my manager decided to contact me via cell phone. As I said “hello”
they proceeded to ask, “Where were you?” I answered, “In the bathroom.” Their response
was, “You should have been at your desk answering my call!” and continued to
yell at me for whatever reason.
My coworker, whose
desk is several feet away, looked up at me with wide eyes shock at how they were
able to hear my manager through my phone. I admit yelling back and then running
into the bathroom and with anger punched the wall. My coworker followed and
asked through the door if I was okay.
Every morning
after that I hoped and wished that this was the day I was to be fired and every
other day I pleaded to God to transform me into the loving spirit He had
created me to be, the one I found in Him.
My last right up
was based on someone overhearing me speak to someone on the office phone about
an incident that occurred between a teacher and a sixteen year old student.
Though I explained that the patient began the small talk and that I had
switched the conversation to what they needed, I was written up for speaking
about the news and not about work. According to my manager I had no authority
to talk about anything other than work issues to clients and coworkers. If
they, this included the doctors I worked with, spoke to me of any subject
outside of my daily work I was to redirect from the conversation.
NOTE: There is so much more to this particular story
that every time I tell it the expression behind the word “What?” and the
comments that come afterward are always the same.
You’re probably
thinking, Why didn’t she apply for
another position in the hospital?
Two reasons:
- Per hospital rule my manager had the right to refuse me wanting to transfer and anyone hiring me within another department. They had done it before.
- I wanted to work in an environment of one-on-one communication with people who needed me – my cheerfulness, my compassion and my helping hand.
“Hi,
Ms. Heathers!”
Without looking up, she said, “Oh,
you’re back. You can continue as yesterday and have all blank files updated with
all missing sheets.”
Placing her backpack on the floor,
“Ms. Heathers I need to make copies.”
Still facing down, “Do you know how
to use the copier?”
“Yes.”
“Then use it.”
Jocelyn was now sensing that this
woman wasn't just having a bad day, but, in fact, didn’t like her. At one
point, the woman entered the file room to verify the work, nitpicking at the
most insignificant things. “The papers are slightly unaligned. Did you
hole-punch them correctly?”
“Yes, the copy machine hole-punched
as it copied.”
“You could have used the manual
puncher.”
“Yes, but it’s easier and less time
consuming.”
Giving her a snarled look, “It’s
called being lazy!”
STEPPING
- a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down
again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the weight of the body in
the direction of the new position
UP - in a more elevated position
Every time I
went to church I sought God with tears. I didn’t want to go back to the old me
and I refused hating my manager for the state I felt they were placing me in.
Monday’s were
the continuation of Sunday’s word pouring into me, while Tuesday was the
beginning of it gradually pouring out of me. Wednesday night I served in Youth
and allowed its essence to flow, while Thursday I returned to a heavy forum
between my carnal self and my spiritual self. Friday’s came with the battle of
elation for the weekend and the disorientation of knowing that the upcoming
week I’d be back.
Despite of all
that I had determined to pray blessing over my manager and the few who sided
with them against me. I continued to speak God’s love over me and that it would
overflow onto them.
I wasn’t about
to step down from where God had placed me. I instead stepped up to where He
needed me to be by stopping myself and refusing to speak evil against them,
because I knew (and know) that the spoken word is a powerful weapon.
I consider loyalty
to be one of the greatest virtues
a person can acquire.
- Faithfulness to commitments or obligations
- Moral excellence; goodness; righteousness
- To gain for oneself through one's actions or efforts
Loyal
to whom?
- To God, because if it hadn’t been for Him I wouldn’t have been where I was. In a position of financial, personal and spiritual growth in between the stress I was in.
- Second was to my family, though they saw and felt what I was going through I was negated to bring my anger and stress and sadness and plant it in our atmosphere.
- my place of work. I had a position to maintain and a job to do that many expected me to do. I didn’t serve my doctors unwillingly, nor did I assist whoever needed my assistance bitterly. I instead took charge in the only way I knew best …
AND
OVER
above in place or position
above and to the other side of
Several years
prior to the conflicts the corporate offices had contracted a billing company
that eventually took over the in-hospital medical billing, which was part of my
daily schedule. I admit that it was a benefit for my doctors, but at the end it
had taken two hours of my work day away enforcing me to find other work to fill
that in. Thank God I was needed for translation.
Sadly the
translating had to be limited because my manager didn’t like me being away from
my desk and working side by side with the doctors she had assigned me to work
with and for.
Along with that,
corporate had also contracted a new computer program that would make the work
flow easier for everyone associated with the hospital – inside and out.
Progressive change
is always good unless it affects you in a negative way.
Several months
into the New Year there were monthly meeting held that primarily discussed the
fact that the new medical program would be able to dictate letters and send it
directly to the appropriate people, make it easier for physicians to complete
medical paperwork and notes, and file it in medical records. Meaning, it was taking
over much of my administrative duties and in several more months my hours would
be cut down to two a day.
The reality was
that I either had to search for another place of work or return to the clinic.
Which
would you choose?
I had already
applied and was interviewed by several places. Unfortunately I was either over
or underqualified. A few places wanted my skills and were willing to pay me
well, but they were either too far or not what I was now thriving for.
And then I received
a call to which I answered yes to. Yes to getting all kinds of background
checks and yes to handing in my two week resignation.
I will never
forget that Monday morning. My manager called my cell and explained that they
needed to see me before 9 a.m. I explained, just as previous times, that on
Monday mornings I had to complete work for my doctors that pertained to the
past weekend, work that took time to complete. I couldn’t be there until 10am
or later. Upon my arrival I said my hello’s to the clinic staff and then entered
their office to then be yelled at for being late to the appointment. I simply
sat there and stared silently until they were finished and then said that I
needed to tell the something.
Their response, “You’ll
wait till I finish!”
I nodded and
they began to explain how I was to be trained to scan paperwork into the
computerized in-hospital files. I intern
explained the problem with that idea, which should have been common sense to
someone in their position.
“I would have to
be staffed by the hospital filing department,” which was impossible since they
had let go of many people because of the new program.
A light bulb
seemed to have turned on, but because they were the type that didn’t like to be
proven wrong, it turned off again to then ask, “What is it that you need to
say.”
“I’m giving you
my two week resignation.”
If only I could’ve
taken a picture of the expression. They were mute for a bit and when they spoke
the words stumbled out.
My
last day was on Friday and my first day was the following Monday. The same Monday
when my administrative duties would deteriorate to a measly two hours and the
new program would officially take over.
What I
Have Learned?
Have I learned
not to trust my present manager or coworkers? No. That wouldn’t be fair or
Godlike.
What I learned …
“You
continue to walk Despite the facts. Sometimes you’ll run – praising God through
everything. Unfortunately, you will fall, but thank our Father that Psalms 30
verse 5 says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
For every time you fall, make it a determination to get up and even stronger.”
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