When my coworker is out (and she is a dedicated, hardworking professional who deserves vacation etc), I am left alone to work at a very busy front desk of a  hospital operating room. Phones are ringing off the hook from operating rooms, patients, patient families, other staff etc. People are coming to the front desk: patients, family members of patients, staff with a request. I find this too overwhelming to  handle on my own. For example, a nurse called to get an appt time for a surgical patient and I had to ask her to call back in 15 minutes. There was just too much activity. I was prioritizing in my mind: getting patients checked in for surgery and addressing family concerns about their loved ones in the OR take precedence. My boss refuses to help me. If I were to approach another coworker for help, they would refuse, saying that they are not able to leave their post. When I worked there the other day I was very flustered with everything that was coming at me at once. While I was pleasant and professional to everyone, it was probably obvious to all that  I was very flustered! I feel incompetent and embarrassed  because I am not smooth!. I need your support and help.

Thank you all for your comments and support. This web site is a blessing!

I am keeping a log. My coworker is also keeping a log. Now I don't believe she has to deal with the phones and people coming to the front desk window. I can predict that my boss will compare with what I have done to my coworker.


 

My boss has asked that I perform the same tasks in an hour's less time than I have been.  I told her that I would not be able to get all those tasks completed. She wants me to keep a log. I can keep a log. I do know that there is no way that I can complete three hours worth of tasks in two hours. I worry that I am going to get daily harassments about my inability to keep up the work.  I plan to contact my Union but I worry that they are going to say, there is nothing we can do.  On a good note, there is a hiring freeze so it is not in their interest to fire me. At the same token, being the sensitive person I am, I am going to find daily harassments too big a pill to swallow.

The reason for this change is that she wants us to help out another department who has lost their staff.

I would appreciate any support or ideas to cope with this situation at work.

If ask her to prioritize she will say everything needs to get done.
Thank you,


Susan

Thank you for your support. I will take your advice.

When my boss at first said that I should have the patient hold, I did tell her that I prefer to call them back so as not to leave them holding. Then the boss came on stronger and said that she PREFERS that I ask the patient to hold. A few minutes after that interaction, I felt that I could not take any more nitpicking so I informed my boss that I was sick and left. I was afraid I would loose my cool!

Again, thank you for support.

I admire your professionalism, integrity and your passion for doing the right thing as when you put a stop to your boss breaking company rules despite that being risky.

I would like some advice on how to deal with a boss who micromanages. I got so upset this afternoon, I told my boss I was sick and left work.

I work in a hospital. This afternoon a patient called to get his appointment  time. The 7 o'clock time did not work for the patient, so I took the patient's name and telephone number and told him that I would call him back. My boss was sitting next to me, and the nurse schedule coordinator was in the office. The nurse told me that I could switch appointment times. I was getting ready to call the patient back  to tell him his new appt time when my boss  butted in and said "in this case you should have put the patient on hold."  I told my boss  that I would prefer to take a number and call the patient back. She told me that I would need to put such calls on hold. Firstly, it has been my experience that such calls can take longer to resolve than it did today. I would like to be given the opportunity to handle my work without interruption from the supervisor. I would like more discretion in using my professional judgment, i.e., whether to put a patient on hold.

My boss might lie about a past policy so as to please another coworker. In my case -- I am concerned that my boss might lie about our past policy of keeping the windows closed in the reception area in the hospital where I work. I closed my window and asked my coworker to close his window to maintain patient privacy when I was calling  patients on the phone.  He got very annoyed by my request. My coworker is favored by my supervisor and she might lie so as to please this coworker.

I experience my boss as lying if it is convenient. What has been your experience? Do myst bosses lie if it is convenient for them?

No she does not have to comply. I spoke with her and she does not want to mediate.

I am much more mistrustful of the male coworker who said I am f_d up. I think he is a trouble maker. I have an appt with the Union tomorrow morning.

Thank you everyone for all your support and guidance.

Edited by jackie on 12/02/09 12:54 PM.

I am going to ask that coworker who told me about the malicious gossip to mediate. My bet is she will refuse. This coworker can be volatile at times -- which is why our working relationship isn't  what I would like.

Thank you all for your support and advice. I appreciate it greatly. Here is the latest.

When I was alone with the coworker who told me about that comment, she confirmed that he, in fact, did say that I was "fu_d up." I wrote to the manager and asked him to note this, whether or not he thought it was hearsay and to please talk to the gossiper.

I also contacted my Union and they told me that they could help if this behavior continued.

Yesterday the gossiper called me at work (he works the earlier shift) and told me that after thinking about it, he remembered that he did say the I was "fu-d up." He told me that it was in the context of the other person complaining about me. And today he went on about how he feels like he is in the middle of a conflictual relationship between me and the other coworker. It is true that she and I often butt heads. He also went on about what a difficult person I am to work with -- did not give me specifics today. He suggested a mediation session to which I enthusiastically agreed. The other coworker with whom I butt heads does not agree to mediate. She wants to document his behavior and actions and take it to our manager. If that does not help, she told me that she will go to plan B. She also has problems with this coworker. I want to proceed with the mediation with the gossiper and have a Union rep present.

Despite his admitting that we all have a role to play in what is going on, I feel that the gossiper is manipulative and is just trying to pit me and the other coworker as the bad guys,

I spoke to the coworker who gossiped. I thanked the person who told me about this.

I went to the department manager who essentially came to the gossiping worker's defense. He started off with this legalese crap about the gossp being hearsay. He also emphasized my need to "get along with people."

I am disgusted. I plan to take this to the Union but feel I will get the same crap.

I

I have a male  coworker who spreads malicious gossip about me. I have not had concrete proof until this past Friday when a coworker told me that he said that I  am "fu__d up." If he is saying that to her, lord knows what he is saying to other people. This coworker is highly valued by management because he is very overqualified for the job: he is highly educated and productive. I would like advice on how to deal with this. My guess is he made that statement because I am a sensitive person who can at times be emotional but that does not give him a right to defame me.