How do you deal with them?? My co-workers and I have no input on anything, including things as simple as what weor wear..We just get emails which tell us what is new etc and this is what we are doing now..She's a great "salesperson" or "politician" in what she says, but if you look between the lines, you don't believe anything she says or believe that it's been said with any sincerity..We've been a great "family" type of co-workers working on the premise of a shared govenance type of management and now this!! It's destroying our workplace..I've seen her chastise a fellow employee in front of their co-workers in a "patient" area..It's happened to me also twice- in front of peers in a patient area; and also in front of 10 peers today at a staff meeting- kind of glad today as others could witness her behavior..(My co-workers felt I was very professional in presenting my views)

Sounds bad. Is there someone higher up that you can complain to? Not just you complaining, but a group of you and your co-workers?

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"Many people lose their tempers merely from seeing you keep yours..."

Change can be stressful and most of us don't welcome it. It is especially difficult when we have become comfortable and think what has developed over time is accepted and set in stone.

Objectively, I think there are things going on - on both "sides" here. It reads that the new boss is trying to do her job and in doing so, is overwhelming and perhaps pushing too hard for respect. It seems she is opposite the style of your former boss and all of you were used to that style. As fior chastising any employee in front of patients, there is no excuse. She will learn that in the moment, she has to show restraint and discuss it privately.

She is the boss and you have to respect that, no matter what you or your peers think or vent amongst yourselves. Learn what makes her tick and be smarter for it. Emails, like posts here, can be hard to truly read and know the manner in which the person delivers. Emails are here to stay, so get used to it and don't read too much into it, especially since anything she emails obviosly leaves a trail.

As for having input on what you wear, the employer ALWAYS has the right to state what you wear, not the employee. This is part of why I suspect that you/co-workers became accustomed to getting what you want from the former boss' laid back style.

dl

Thanks for the input..Still trying to figure out what makes her tick..As for the clothes, there is more to it than I've written. I understand the employer has a right to determine what you can wear..The problem occurs when this topic has been discussed with her and she states that staff will have input into the choices of attire; then an email goes out to state a catalogue is coming next week to pick choices of attire; and the next email states this is what you will wear and you have no choice; you will wear what the "adult" unit wears.. But, we are a "pediatric" unit..Our attire is what helps get families and children through their experience..It's a distractor..A jacket with a "fun" shirt underneath, helps distract the patient and soothe their anxieties, fears and pain...This attire choice is not from a laid back previous style of management ,but because we are here to service our young patients..Our attire is for them, not us..Yes, change is difficult but it can be made easier if one is felt to have input..She definitely isn't practicing from the Dale Carnegie principles if anyone is familiar with them..Thanks for everyone's input..

Sounds like you are in a health care situation and I understand what you are saying. My mother worked in mental health for years and they finally realized that street clothes were best for the employees to wear - for the patients.

I have another thought, is it possible that she was brought in to make changes and perhaps the changes really aren't hers? As in someone else is pulling the strings, she's just the puppet? Especially when I understand more of the type of employment situation you have, maybe that is what's going on. And you might never know the answer to my speculation on that issue.

dl

janpacs

Sorry I hope things get better soon. I know how you feel my boss is a micro-manager. Always to busy doing the micro thing and not taking care of the bigger issues. Good Luck!!

I think that deddlastt may be on to something.

Do you know the reason that there was a change in supervision? Could it be that the last supervisor aligned themselves too much with the staff without regards to the needs of the business?

Is this supervisor really chastising/disciplining staff in public or just disagreeing with handling of procededure or opinion?

Unfortunately sometimes employees become very comfortable doing things "their" way instead of according to policy and procedure. Or the way that is best for the needs of the business. And if they have a weak manager that doesn't like to buck that system it can be very hard to get peoples cooperation in doing things the right way.

Does your company have written policy and procedure in place for the things you have mentioned? Most businesses nowdays do. If this boss is going against policy and procedure it may be time to visit your human resources dept.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

I used to work for a lot of them like that.I found the verse in the bible about how an employer suppose to treat their employee and wrote it down on a piece of paper to make sure he/she readed it and left it alone.I have even brought bless oil to work and laid hands all around my work area.I even went as far as pour some of the ground.And i pray every day before i walk in ther during and after work. Sometime god but in postion for us to draw us near to him and for us to change.

So I'm up too late but the subject has really bothered..To answer some questions above..Our last boss retired, young, thus needing another..Many believe she was placed here for a reason-to balance the budget which, was probably needed..But this doesn't justify the behaviors..Managing is different from leadership..The leadership skills are lacking..In terms of chastizing in public and peer areas..In all situations, the tone of voice and words were the kind that make your "head turn" ..I had turned around to ask my coworker a question to clarify a new protocol being discussed in the first instance.. Once "yelled at", I felt as if I were a five year old school kid waiting to have her knuckles wrapped with a ruler..I was shocked to say the least at the tone of voice etc..My peers were also..

See, you still don't know why she is there. You said many believe. Might be, might not be what the employees think.

Consider that your action of "turning around to ask a coworker a question to clarify a new protocol..." wasn't the best choice. The best choice was to have the boss clarify.

dl

I don't know what the business climate is where you work but by your own admitance the budget may need balancing.
Just saying that means that the previous supervisor and governance system in place weren't working for management.
Again I can only speak of what I know and that is that most business' are at a point in this economy where they have to be their most streamlined. And unfortunately employees that are not on board with doing things that are in the best interest of the company are finding themselves being laid off or worse.
Again without having been there to see and hear, and I am not being judgemental, but if you really believe that her leadership skills need improvement, than you need to document, as unbiasedly as possible, her transgressions and seek advise from HR.

__________________

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Maybe she thinks that allowing you all to pick something from the catalogue is giving you some say??? Or did she rescind that and chose for you??? I am a little confused.

I too, am gathering you are in some sort of pediatric medical field...be it a hospital or doctor's office, not sure. I've been to the pediatric wing of our hospital several times this past year and found the decor of the wing more "distracting" than what the nurses were wearing. Maybe you can wear some fun earrings and jewelry that the children can focus on?? Get a clip on furry animal for your stethoscope??? Sorry, not exactly sure what you do, so can't offer specifics, just generalities.

Is there some sort of mediation you can all go to?? Surely this atmosphere is not good for morale, and the patients and there families will pick up on this. Like I said, I've been in the pediatric wing of our hospital a few times this year, and I've seen some things.....

__________________
No Piece, No Peace
Know Piece, Know Peace

TLJ Women United in Spirit!!!

If you have someone in your work group who is a good negotiator/diplomat, I'd suggest having a 1-on-1 discussion with the new manager to try to understand where she's coming from and the constraints she's operating under. Provide her with a sense of what the org is feeling (she may not be aware) and make some suggestions around the things that matter the most to you.

Change is hard, both for the employees and the new manager...sounds like she is making some poor choices though.

cj/

__________________
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others. -Confucius
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. -Hillel

Thanks again for the suggestions..Staff have tried to have the opportunity to "work" with her and explain our situation..I did just that in a professional manner in a staff meeting and was shot down rudely in front of all, as her true "colors" were shown once again..
She just doesn't listen...She does what she wants..The committee members from our unit who represent us in what is called a "workload committee", have resigned, due to lack of ability to discuss things etc with her , have any input or feel they have the ability to represent staff.
Re the catalogue-it was never followed through-she chose..we had no input..
We have an employee counselor who I will be seeing to discuss this-she has already seen others from our unit..We're unionized but that hasn't been of help either..
I understand change is difficult for us all..But, there is no excuse for disrespect to coworkers in front of front of families and their children..Totally wrong..If I was witness to it, I would take my child out of there..As for not asking the boss to clarify-this does not justify her words or tone which had heads turning at a check in desk for families..
Guess I'm going to have to just grin and bear until another job becomes available or someone higher than me witnesses her behavior..

OP, I feel for you. I've been in a similar situation once myself. I really don't know anything about the health/medical field, but..... If you're unable to resolve these issues going through proper channels, and your situation continues or worsens so that you feel you are working in a hostile environment, you may be able to depart your job and file unemployment. (Contact your unemployment office to verify.) I'm suggesting this as a last resort for your situation. If it comes to this.... I would document incidents to back up your claims, and if at all possible, statements from co-workers who've witnessed these incidents. Whatever route you take, I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

.

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No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Been there, done that!! I worked 32 years in the medical field. My last 12 years, I was the co-ordinator of a rural Hospice with a Hospice certification. I have been disrespected and "yelled" at over the years by a bunch of buttheads in varying positions. I have learned to say, "Oh REALLY?!!" in 842 varying tones. They all mean the same thing ---"BS" but I say them nicely. My only advice, hang on until the boat stops rocking. I can't think of anyone who lasted longer than I did in any position. The nastier they became, the nicer I became. Drove them freakin crazy. OH- the other secret to my success and retained sanity--When someone is giving you grief on the phone, talk in the most respectful manner and hang up on them wihile you are talking. Gosh, something my be wrong with this darn phone. It gives you a couple of minutes to re-group your thoughts plus the added satisfaction of knowing the other person was frustrated. When they call you back, you say "Oh, was so upset, i thought you hung up on me".

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Lyn Clarke

First of all, you said "SHE". That there says enough for me. I can not stand a female boss. All the years I have worked a woman boss can make an envirnoment absolutely miserable. I have tried to analyze (sp?) the situation and what the woman is going through but is has always come down to that a woman can not seem to differentiate between power and threat of being taken over. All of the women bosses I have had are short spoken, almost on the edge of being verbally abusive and at the same time condescending. We have just recently had a change of management at my work place, yep, a woman will be ahead of our team. Yep, she is snotty. I say good morning all the time, very kind and in return I feel looked down upon and I see her do it to others. I was asking her a question the other day and instead of me getting a chance to finish the sentence, she immediately said "NO!" Even if the answer was no, that wasn't the problem, it was the rudeness of not letting me have a voice.

Well, in nursing, 90% of the time the "bosses" are women. And, yes, they can be bitchy. BUT, male nurses generally are perceived as Doctors and they can be insufferable. So, one is between a rock and a hard place. When one gets a good boss, celebrate.

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Lyn Clarke

Well, I know of at least one female boss that doesn't fit your profile, alex01.

The only thing I can suggest based on your last note is that if patients or their families EVER give mention to her behavior, do not comment on it, but provide them with the information as to where they can make their concerns known. Hopefully, "customer" complaints will be treated quickly and seriously.

cj/

__________________
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others. -Confucius
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. -Hillel

Why thank you cjs for noticing.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

You're very welcome, chik-a-dee!

cj/

PS - Make that two....but don't tell cashchik, she thinks I was talking about her....shhhhh....

__________________
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others. -Confucius
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. -Hillel

I was just bumping this up to see how this situation is going?
So how about it janpacs, did HR have to step in or have you come to an impass?
Just wondering.

__________________

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.