Q & A Table of Contents
She Sabotages My Efforts And Creates Risk For My Patients And Staff
From: Gert, Harrisburg, PA
Question: I work in the mental health field as the supervisor of a group home. The home that I work in has 2 young men with difficult behaviors and at times they can be very dangerous to work with.
I have a co-worker that seems to sabotage every effort my team members and I make to be consistent with these 2 gentlemen in trying to make their lives better. It's like we go 4 steps forward and than 2 steps backwards when she gets involved.
I feel that she is not a team player. When I tried talking to her at a meeting, she simple just walked out. Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with her? I have learned a long time ago that being consistent really helps the individuals to live better lives.
Response: If the troublesome individual is working against the proper operation of the group home in a way that creates risk for home residents or staff, you have to ask whether it is appropriate to keep her on staff. While you may face problems recruiting staff or if the home is subject to civil service rules, it is your obligation to both the staff and the residents to protect them from risk.
As supervisor you should be conducting regular performance reviews of your staff; it might be helpful to ask all staff members to provide anonymous assessments of patients and other staff members -- and suggestions for improvements. You could use any data you receive in this process to organize your thoughts for your performance review of your troublesome staff member.
Your problem staffer may have difficulties outside of the group home that have an impact on her work and her attitude. Perhaps a mental health professional should do an assessment of members of the staff to help you determine whether anyone is likely to act contrary to good practice.
Ultimately you need to consider the interests of the stakeholders: yourself, the residents, and other staff. Is it in their interest to continue dealing with this person. If you are the only one with whom she clashes, maybe you should consider looking to someone you both trust to help facilitate a peace treaty.
You should also consider your BATNA, your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement. If you are stuck with keeping her on staff, can you assign her to work that keeps her from sabotaging the overall operation of the group home? If you are not compelled to keep her on staff, both you and she may be better off ending the relationship.
Good luck with a tough problem,
Steve
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