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Leetee's Journal

leetee
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03/19/2012 11:22 #56244

Is It Quitting Time?
I am wondering if there is actually a boss working for this organization who doesn't have their head up their ass.

I did not know that my first boss would be the best boss. People told me she rocked and i would be hard pressed to find one better, but i guess i needed to find out for myself?

Where i am now, i am being targeted by a resident of the house. Nearly every day, he threatens to "stab you bitch", tells me to fuck off, gives me the finger, refuses to listen to me, or is just generally disrespectful.

To put this into further focus, he has attacked a former staff member who now has a permanent injury.

Initially, when i arrived at the house, everything was going fairly well. Some staff were nicer and friendlier than others, but mostly, they seemed to have everyone's back.

The supervisor had been moved or was out for administrative reasons... which is union speak for she screwed up. Mostly, it was due to her being extremely disrespectful to a resident's parents, and insulting the resident immediately prior.

The residents seemed moderately stable, bad "behaviors" were there, but fairly well controlled.

I thought all was cool.

Then, the supervisor came back. One resident went from mildly defiant to violent on her first day back. Hitting her, screaming and cursing, refusing to complete a chore, and throwing items all over the kitchen.

I attempted to control his behavior by giving him near constant verbal prompts. I was told to leave him alone, it "wasn't so bad".

Then, he began to target me.

She suggested i may have "told him no once" and that is why he doesn't like me. She also criticized me in front of him for putting away his belongings in a closet when he refused to after he had gone to bed and left said items on the living room floor. Perhaps that was why he doesn't like me, she said.

She also suggested i take him out for a van ride to spend one on one time with him so he could get to know me and i him; i refused to do that, since he had already hit me and was threatening violence on a daily basis.

There is nothing in his charts or behavior plan that outlines this pattern, so of course there is no suggestions for staff or expected outcomes.

She attempted to reassure me by suggesting that it wouldn't last for long because he would move on to the new staff due to arrive on Thursday.

sigh

I actually don't have a problem with him targeting me. I expect it, since it is a pattern of behavior.

My issue is with my supervisor. Not discouraging the behavior with him, seeming to encourage it. Correcting me in front of him gives him more power to tag along as well.

I have gone to her boss. I have gone to her boss' boss. Nothing has changed. Maybe i even made things worse.

Last night, i put an addendum to one of her notes, because she whitewashed his behavior. I assume my ass will be handed to me within minutes of me walking through the door. But i just couldn't tolerate her excusing this behavior and seeming to encourage it any longer.
metalpeter - 03/22/12 17:57
Hopefully nothing happens to you.... But if not you the boss will get someone else hurt maybe the bosses boss will figure it out after 2 people and the same pattern but doubt it....
leetee - 03/22/12 01:35
(e:Metalpeter), your assessment of the situation is correct. It IS a dangerous environment to work in and the boss fuels that, rather than prevents that. It is the same boss who has been there for other staff to be targeted and injured. And yes, she does negate any authority i may have by correcting me in front of... well, anyone.
leetee - 03/22/12 01:33
(e:Tinypliny) -- the process of bidding has nothing to do with salary. Every house has minimum staffing requirements and a list of houses and shifts are listed monthly through human resources for current employees to bid on.

For Example -- i was an 80% (100% is 40 hour full time, 80% is 32 hours) part time afternoon shift 3p-11pm, 4 afternoons a week at a house in Kenmore. I bid on another house 100% full time afternoons 3p-11p 5 afternoons a week. The person with the most seniority is awarded the bid if there is more than 1 person bidding on that bid number. So, either i was the only person who bid on that position (this house has a bad rep., so i would not be surprised), or i had the highest seniority of the people that bid.
metalpeter - 03/20/12 17:18
Ok sorry lee had to to read that twice I get what is going on now I think.....

The Supervisor some where along decided that to just let that person do what they want and they will be peaceful ..... Hence why she got made when you put stuff away and told that person no.... Now saying that stuff in front of the client is wrong.... Even someone with no background in that like me would know that... Sorry to bring Wilson Farms into this... But I saw this happen all the time... There is a policy a customer complains then customer gets a manager and the manager doesn't follow what they tell the Cashier to do and then tells them to do so and so right with the costumer there.... It takes away all of your authority and gives all the power to the client.....

Now you know where you work better then I..... But is this the same boss who got the other person attacked by messing up? It sounds like it is the way you wrote it? I'm not saying to sue and hoping you don't get hurt... But it seems to me like your boss is a danger to you... And by not telling you the stuff they told you in private and not addressing the client in private has made the place an unsafe work environment..
tinypliny - 03/20/12 16:54
Ah - thanks for the clarification. {though, I have to admit, I am completely baffled by this idea of bidding on jobs. For example what is auction money? do you pay to actually do your jobs and in such a tough environment that depresses you constantly... If that is the case, then it sounds like some extreme philanthropy bordering on the edge of masochism!}
leetee - 03/20/12 12:21
(e:Jolene), I am sorry to hear you didn't get the DA1 spot you were hoping for. There are a bunch of DA1 bids out....

Sorry too, to let you know i know people that bid on the Transit Road have more time in than you... who knows, she could have messed it up; she hasn't bid on anything in almost 10 years (was a co-worker @26-2, then moved with everyone to a Leydecker house). Karen J was texting me last night asking me if i bid on it... she said they need to make sure someone "good" and "cool" wanted it... those compliments could not have come at a better time. Thanks cosmos... :o)

I will bid... in the meantime, i am working on my "i will not cry at work" muscles! lol

(e:Tinypliny), no they are not satellite psych units. This is a state run and funded organization for the Developmentally Disabled with group homes, day habs and integrated work programs.

Some of the individuals we serve have families, some do not. Some families are involved, some are not.

Some stays might be court ordered, some might be due to the inability of any private organization being ready willing or able to care for an individual, some might be due to lack of funds to care for the individual.

I work with individuals in "behaviour houses", so there tends to be a dual-diagnosis of developmental disability and mental illness.
jolene - 03/20/12 09:45
(e:leetee), I did NOT get the DA1 position, I was outbid:) Thanks for the heads up on Transit Rd., I bid on that too:) I'm feeling ready to move to day shift, but you know how that goes.
Well, at least you know you only have to put up with the way things are for a certain amount of time, and that it's not permanent. That's what I like about our job, you can always (eventually) bid out! Good luck, keep your eyes open and your back to the wall:)
tinypliny - 03/20/12 02:05
Are your facilities satellite psych units? Do your charges have families? Are they voluntary inpatients? Or is this a state-mandated stay?
leetee - 03/20/12 01:26
(e:Jolene), I can't bid... yet. I just went from pt to ft and i have to wait 3 cycles to bid. Shame too, because i really really wanted to bid on the DSA spot @ Transit Road Day Hab (not that i would get it, i know someone with 20+ years who is going for it too).

Speaking of bidding... did you get the DA1 bid you wanted?
jolene - 03/19/12 22:41
Oh wow. This is why I stay away from "behavior houses". Your boss having your back is one of the best things to happen, and it sucks that you don't seem to have that. It might not be quitting time, but is it bidding time?

02/23/2012 16:00 #56113

My Own Converse Nail
Since i stumbled upon the video of the Converse Nail (e:LeeTee,55989) i have wanted one of my own.

Well, today, i went to the nail salon (NO WAY i could do it myself!) and had a converse nail done on each hand -- ring finger for both as per the nail tech's whim :o)

image
paul - 02/23/12 18:49
That is the cutest thing ever.
tinypliny - 02/23/12 18:10
Now that is YOURS!
tinypliny - 02/23/12 18:10
HEHEHE
metalpeter - 02/23/12 16:55
nice.....

02/15/2012 10:19 #56063

What's a Girl to Do?
New Chucks from TJ Maxx.
image

Very crowded closet shelves with lots of beautiful chucks.
image

Lonely chucks among the very few Non-Chucks shoes.
image

Does this mean a reorganization project in the future?!?

02/13/2012 01:44 #56058

What Is it With Buffalonians and Driveways?!?!
uh, yeah, dude, it's our driveway. it's not a parking lot. and i don't care how long you will be there. our driveway equals our property and if you want to be on our property, you need to be invited to do so. next time, i won't be polite. i will just get you towed.
metalpeter - 02/13/12 16:57
Well to answer the question you kinda ask... Not all houses have them so.... Not saying this was the case here... but if you are new to someone's house you may not know what drive ways is who's? Now also some homes share a drive way and some homes have multiple cars... And some people do to snow don't use the Garage during the winter or vice versa? Not sure if that helped any.... But that being said so many people block them and don't even think about it....

01/27/2012 00:21 #55989

Converse Nails!



metalpeter - 01/29/12 09:51
What that is wild....... If I saw them I would assume they where fake Nails
tinypliny - 01/27/12 13:06
I think you just need someone with steady hands. :) psssst. (e:uncut).
leetee - 01/27/12 12:18
No, (e:Tinypliny), they are not mine. I found the video online. Although, i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have that done to my nails. I have no talent for it myself. I wonder if my nail salon would do it without charging a fortune?
tinypliny - 01/27/12 11:46
Cute!! Are they your nails??!