Eating My Own Words

Late February I resigned my job of 15 years in the public system to take up, what seemed to be, a promising position in the private system. Plagued with chronic staff shortages I was working near 60-70 hour weeks. After a month or so my direct manager began to verbally abuse me, as she did with other staff. There wasn't a day that went by where other staff members were in tears. I decided not to be submissive and approached my manager's boss to discuss this state of affairs. I mentioned the words bullying and harassment. Big mistake. Yesterday I was called into my manager's boss's office and was given my marching orders. First time in my life that I've been without a job since I started work at 15. I'm thankful for the union as they're going to back me to the hilt. This doesn't pay the bills though.

I know things will turn out okay, they always do. I'm a nurse and should be able to get another job. But, in the meantime, if anyone knows of anything happening, any jobs, anything, please send me a PM or email me from my username. You never know, this might be the opening I need to get out of nursing for good.

Geez Scott! :o DAMHIK but you really have to work out the lie of the land before you complain to a superior about another. There could be unknown relationships:no:
I'm glad your union is batting for you, but as you say they don't pay the bills.
Are you looking at agency work?

Whats your specialty?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mulgabill

Geez Scott! :o DAMHIK but you really have to work out the lie of the land before you complain to a superior about another. There could be unknown relationships:no:
I'm glad your union is batting for you, but as you say they don't pay the bills.
Are you looking at agency work?

---

Yep, joined two this afternoon. I'm not an absolute fan of agency work, you don't know what your doing from one day to the next. But I'll grind it out working agency till something permanent comes along.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gra

Whats your specialty?

---

Been a registered nurse for 20 years however I've got a Grad Dip in Health Informatics. More than good on a computer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mulgabill

Geez Scott! :o DAMHIK but you really have to work out the lie of the land before you complain to a superior about another. There could be unknown relationships:no:

---

There are some injustices in the world that need addressing sometimes. Like being told your 'useless and worthless' (I kid you not) after working a 14 hour day, finishing at 10pm then being called in at 3am to 4am and starting again at 7am for a 10 hour shift. Besides, at induction, we were told this (discussing stuff) is the right thing to do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scott

Been a registered nurse for 20 years however I've got a Grad Dip in Health Informatics. More than good on a computer.

---

So you looking for Comp work or nursing, if nursing, again I ask whats you specialty? (Ward, theater, Ortho, gynie, ER, etc)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gra

So you looking for Comp work or nursing, if nursing, again I ask whats you specialty? (Ward, theater, Ortho, gynie, ER, etc)

---

Ah, sorry. ICU background working in Anaesthetics and Recovery.

That sucks the biggest of big ones!! You lodge a seemingly legitimate complaint about bullying, and what do they do?...bully you right out the door. I hope you're a vindictive SOB and it comes back to bite them in the butt :wink:

I really feel sorry for you.

...especially when I've managed to get away with abusing and threatening physical violence on clients and employers in the IT world (life was very dark then - I was lashing out) without one single reprimand. With that and all the other crap I did I didn't deserve to keep those jobs and yet you get the boot by doing the right thing not just for yourself, but also for your co-workers.

Full sympathy Scot. I hope you sort something soon.

Ask them for a reference. See what they write and go from there.
You probably wouldn't wan't to go back there anyway, but nonetheless, they shouldn't be able to get away with it. My wife is in the medical profession and has seen this happen a number of times. Sad but true.
Good luck.

Scott not good at all I hope an outcome is brought about soon regarding managements attitude I bet its not small concern who owns the place either.

I will say this tho you have been so ingrained in the public sector way of life and how things like this are handled it has taken you out to the real world of Private Enterprise where the same rules do not apply. How ever I do not condone what took place with you either by the person who spoke to you in the manner they did or by managers. You still have rights and should be treat with respect no matter who you are or where you are.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rustynail

Ask them for a reference. See what they write and go from there.

---

Most businesses don't write references anymore for fear of being sued for what it says or not says. Same as they don't give a reason when a job application is unsuccessful.


This is very sad to hear Scott, my commiserations for what happened but sometimes you have to make a stand as continued working under such conditions would cause depression.


At least you might be able to give your new lathe a workout.


Peter.

Very sorry to hear this Scott...
Did similar in different industry and also got the bullet; went to Fair Work Australia
and got a fair outcome as in redundancy pay out.
being older with health issues, I retired after that.
Hoping all works out for you..
Cheers, crowie

PS - there's a shortage of good nursing staff in NSW!!!

Hope things workout for you Scott.

Always remember, a door closes, a window opens!

Have a look

SEEK - Job Search - Find jobs using multiple job search options

What is amazing is how Fwits stay in the system to become the one that fires you.

A better door will open up Scott hang tight and good luck.


Regards,


Frank.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FRB Design

What is amazing is how Fwits stay in the system to become the one that fires you.

---

Frank, totally agree. It beggars belief that people can think an abusive management style can bring out the best in people.

Scott, this manager's style is quite obviously acceptable to those above her, which makes them the same sort of headkickers that you wouldn't want to work for anyway (I know it creates hardship in the meantime however - much better to change jobs on your own terms, as you did previously).

What are prospects like in the Victorian Nursing industry? Were you lucky to be able to get that job at that time? I seem to remember you might have said there was a bit of a glut of nurses around because of closure of services or something?? Or there was going to be a glut soon? Of course this doesn't mean that the situation should exist, or that there are too many nurses in Victoria - just means services have been cut which spews out dozens or hundreds of nurses onto the market, when the general public needs them to actually be employed - somewhere).

Scott, I am sorry to hear what happened.

Regrettably, the public health service I work for has a lot fewer vacancies than it did six months ago. Each week they publish positions vacant. The list of nursing positions would run to three or four pages, for the last couple of months it has not even made half a page.

Keep you mind open. You might make a career change and work for your self as a handyman or in IT. Occasionally, nursing homes need someone part time to do maintenance, and it could be a foot back in the door to nursing although not your field.

I am sure something will come up, hopefully soon.

Sacked without having a warning or three?
I thought that was standard practice, although you are probably better off out of there.
Might be worthwhile telling us which hospital to avoid.
Hope everything works out O.K for you.

Alan...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uncle Al

Sacked without having a warning or three?
I thought that was standard practice, although you are probably better off out of there.
Might be worthwhile telling us which hospital to avoid.
Hope everything works out O.K for you.

Alan...

---

Thanks Alan. No warning, no reason. They actually stated upon exit that they were not going to give any reason. Yesterday was my 3 month anniversary.

And thanks to everyone else who has posted, very much appreciated. Health services are being cut to the bone at the moment, especially in the public system. I do want a change but now is not the right time I think. I remained on 'bank' at my previous hospital and scored a shift in recovery late yesterday. A foot in the door so to speak.

Now this might sound a bit strange but I have a Heavy Articulated Licence. I looked this up yesterday and can upgrade to a bus licence fairly painlessly. For some reason, the work appeals.

Do I mention where I worked? What the heck. Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora. Whilst the midwifery ward is superb the rest is ho-hum. If your surgeon wants to book you in there, say to him/her that you don't like that particular hospital and would like to go to another.

Thanks once again for all your kind comments, encouragement and words of support.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DavidG

Have a look

SEEK - Job Search - Find jobs using multiple job search options

---

Thanks David, have been on Seek. All those jobs, bar two, are for agency work. I've joined two agencies this week however the work is unpredictable. I have no doubt that I'll be able to pay the bills working agency but I'm a one place type of person, I like a 'home'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scott

Thanks Alan. No warning, no reason. They actually stated upon exit that they were not going to give any reason. Yesterday was my 3 month anniversary.

---

Scott

You have my sympathies and I was wondering how they could possibly dismiss you like that and think they would get away with it, but it sounds as though you might still have been in a probationary period. Still it is a reprehensible act and long term you are better off away from such a detestable environment.

I hope you find your feet with work asap.

Regards
Paul

Since you have a heavy vehicle licence, it is not hard to get Driver Accreditation to drive a bus. You will need to have a police check and a medical. The medical is done every time the accreditation is renewed; every three years. The accreditation is done through the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

The above applies to Victoria.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scott

Now this might sound a bit strange but I have a Heavy Articulated Licence.

---

Not really, mighty handy for moving beds around. :U Sometimes I think we all need that to move shopping trolleys around. :D


Peter.

Bummer!!!

It's alarming the number of stories I've heard lately that are in a similar vein.

The complainer/whistleblower ends up with the rough end of the pineapple.

I hope the union really takes this idiot apart.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FRB Design

What is amazing is how Fwits stay in the system to become the one that fires you.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Frank, totally agree. It beggars belief that people can think an abusive management style can bring out the best in people.

Scott, this manager's style is quite obviously acceptable to those above her, which makes them the same sort of headkickers that you wouldn't want to work for anyway

---

I think it is people like this that were moved (I won't say promoted) to management because they weren't very good at their job anyway. More than likely sycophants who wormed their way into the position rather than earn it on merit. They are obviously not very good at the management side of things either. I think you are better off out of there as well. Good luck with the job hunt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Most businesses don't write references anymore for fear of being sued for what it says or not says. Same as they don't give a reason when a job application is unsuccessful.


This is very sad to hear Scott, my commiserations for what happened but sometimes you have to make a stand as continued working under such conditions would cause depression.


At least you might be able to give your new lathe a workout.


Peter.

---

No more references must be a Vic thing. Still pretty standard procedure in NSW. My daughter got one only last week and my son brandishes several.
It's a sorry state of affairs when somebody is going to be taken to task over a reference. If you dont like it, dont use it. Fair dinkum, they'll be suing the weather next.

Okay, 2 days unemployed and have had 3 interviews so far. I have another 2 interviews lined up this week and am waiting on 2 companies/place to get back to me. From my impression, most health employers want you to go casual, no PT or FT. Which is okay by me because it maybe that foot in the door for that 'good' job. I must admit, I'm going to be a little 'choosey' this time and think about my options and potential employer. I'll be looking for a place that is vibrant and respects it's employees.

I get the feeling, overall, that the job market is very flat. Sign of the times. There is not much good stuff around, especially in the health sector which surprises me.

Anyhoo, this afternoon is free. Shed time!

:thumbup: Good luck Scott!

As Mulgabill said, Go for it Scott.

Regards
Paul

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scott

Okay, 2 days unemployed and have had 3 interviews so far. I have another 2 interviews lined up this week and am waiting on 2 companies/place to get back to me. From my impression, most health employers want you to go casual, no PT or FT. Which is okay by me because it maybe that foot in the door for that 'good' job. I must admit, I'm going to be a little 'choosey' this time and think about my options and potential employer. I'll be looking for a place that is vibrant and respects it's employees.

I get the feeling, overall, that the job market is very flat. Sign of the times. There is not much good stuff around, especially in the health sector which surprises me.

Anyhoo, this afternoon is free. Shed time!

---

Hi Scot,
Remember an interview is a two way street, you're also interviewing them to see if they are up to being your employer as well.
Best of luck

Management by thuggery I call it. We had a boss who specialised in this and loved nothing better than a good argument with anyone he picked on that particular day. It took us 18 months but we made his life so intolerable that upper management could no longer ignore it and transferred him to a new position. He has since risen far higher in the management tree which must mean that upper management appreciate his style. I have found that in general if a complaint is made against a manager it is a fruitless exercise doomed to failure as the complainer is never going to win due to managers not wanting to be seen to be acting against other managers.