Verbally abusive supervisor- wwyd?

[leighcat]

I work in a nursing home. We have a supervisor who is very verbally abusive to us. She is a nurse. She has told several of the nurses and aids to "shut up". She has a nasty disposition. Even if I have to tell her a resident needs something I sometimes get nervous to approach her. Very rarely she can be nice. She is like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. I have seen her tell an aid "get out of my way". Another aid told me that she was feeding a resident and started to get up to get a straw for the resident and the supervisor told her "SIT", and pointed at the chair like she was talking to a dog. Yesterday I heard her loudly tell a nurse she was going to "wring her neck in a minute" referring to a cna that I work with. The cna heard her as she was sitting right next to me when the evil witch said it. I have gone to the director of nursing as well as the administrator about how she treats us. I don't know what to do next. My friend who has been harassed by her, same one that she threatened to wring her neck, is going to write a letter anonymously to corporate. I am thinking of contacting the nursing board. I don't want to lose my job, but I can't work like this either. If I cannot even tell a nurse when a resident needs something, she shouldn't be a nurse! There are other supervisors there who are nasty too, but more subtle. I dread even going into work because of the nastiness.

[Liane]

Go over her head. If you have to go way over her head. Complain and complain until they do something. If you feel better making it anonymous, do that. Document every incident. Date time and what happened. I'm sure that family members have witnessed this behavior too. If my family were at this nursing home I would want them moved to another floor or facility. Hold your head up and pray that she gets what is coming to her. Bad karma will bite her in the butt.

[lparker]

Go to corporate with facts, not emotions. Tell them that if they don't do something about the abusive behavior, you will go to the State *** whatever dept that handles labor. If she's like that to you, she's probably like that to residents. dept of health would be interested. Do this as a group, if the corp takes action against the group..sue them. Document everything.

[Libby]

Personally once that threat was said 'wring her neck' I'd have gone and filed a grievance against this supervisor. But thats just me.

What have the administrator and director done about your complaints? Were they actually filed on the record or were they just 'off the record' or 'in passing' impromptu convos?

I'd definitely report this to someone higher up if both the administrator and director do nothing. Is this a chain? Is there a head office? Go there next.

I'd say something to her directly - maybe she doesn't realize how out of line she is by saying these things to others who can actually hear them. Next time she says something out of line, call her on it. "Why would you say something like that?!" But of course in doing so - you risk being disciplined and potentially losing your job, no?

Also, something to consider: is this something you're willing to risk potentially losing your job over?

[Megareader]

File a complaint! Make an anonymous call to the agency that regulates nursing homes in your state if you need to...if she is hateful to employees you can be certain she is the same way to the residents of the nursing home. I'm sure your state has laws regarding elder abuse...please do not let this witch get by with her nastiness.

[leighcat]

Personally once that threat was said 'wring her neck' I'd have gone and filed a grievance against this supervisor. But thats just me.

What have the administrator and director done about your complaints? Were they actually filed on the record or were they just 'off the record' or 'in passing' impromptu convos?

I'd definitely report this to someone higher up if both the administrator and director do nothing. Is this a chain? Is there a head office? Go there next.

I'd say something to her directly - maybe she doesn't realize how out of line she is by saying these things to others who can actually hear them. Next time she says something out of line, call her on it. "Why would you say something like that?!" But of course in doing so - you risk being disciplined and potentially losing your job, no?

Also, something to consider: is this something you're willing to risk potentially losing your job over?

The director of nursing pretended concern. Then I went to the administrator. I told her the next time a nurse tells me to shut up I am going to tell the nurse to go f%^ ...you get the point. She said I did the right thing going to her. Of course, said administrator has her own issues... I dare not go there. I don't want to lose my job, but it is making me have a lot of anxiety to be there. There are a bunch of people that won't complain because they are too afraid.

[leighcat]

Come to think of it I have seen her yell at a resident to mind her own business. I haven't witnessed much else that I can really say she has done to residents. If I did, I can guarantee I would call the abuse hotline ASAP.

[craftypam]

If more than one person files a complaint with corporate; then maybe something will be done because it just won't be one person.

Good Luck with this; no one deserves to be treated that way. Let us know what happens.

[katholc]

I have been a nurse for 15 years and have worked in nursing homes and hospitals. Call your corporate compliance hotline and complain. you can do it anonymously and something will be done. also you can report her to your state board of nursing for being threatening and verbally abusive. They will investigate and possibly sanction her license. I believe any and all of this can be done anonymously so get the other cna's involved, you're right, she should not be working in a place where the residents can't fend for themselves.

[Luckybustert]

Having an initial consultation with a lawyer who practices employment law might be helpful too.

[Paws]

When reporting this type of abusive behavior, make sure you "CYA"! Have proof. Either use a hidden cell phone to record the abuse or use one of the tiny micro-recorders that saves audio to a hard drive or something along those lines. As long as it can be hidden.
I'm not sure of other state's laws, but in Alabama, as long as ONE person involved knows the conversations and such are being recorded, it's legal. Of course, if YOUR the one recording, then ONE person knows...yes!?! ((BTW, my attorney is the one that told me this several years ago.))

Best of luck to you in this matter!!

[zakity]

Yep, research the laws and get it on tape if you can. Then, contact the state nursing board and the department in your state that handles bad employers and email them a copy.

[PlainCash4]

Carry a little tape recorder with you. I wonder if that would work....lol

[mndtrp]

Carry a little tape recorder with you. I wonder if that would work....lol

I'm only quoting this one, but it applies to the others that said the same. Recording conversations without consent can be a big problem in many states. Before you try this, make sure you know the laws surrounding recording.

I would continue the complaints to the higher-ups. If other people have had problems, try to get them to file complaints as well.

[leighcat]

I had thought about recording, but unfortunately I would be breaking the law if I did that. I work in a healthcare setting so personal information would also get recorded which would violate the hipaa laws of patient confidentiality. It would be impossible to just record when she is saying something because it happens so quickly. I guess I will call corporate as well as the board of nursing. I will have to call on Monday on my day off. I have to go to work now, oh lucky me. It has gotten to the point where I don't even want to go there anymore. Between the abuse and people not showing up to work and having to pick up their slack, I can't stand this place!