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there is not really a forum that is right for this subject, but I want to ask - do you encounter sexual harassment from customers at work ? How often?
I have been fuming over this for the past year because in my line of work, this happens on regular basis. What’s worse is that the in the medical field, the patients are literally digging their own grave by doing so. Making the medical staff uncomfortable while on duty destracts us and makes us want to cut patient to staff time short, which means we can miss something when trying to care for a sick patient.
For example - today, my day was completely ruined because some asshole decided to tell me how he has no problem taking off his pants for blonds. Idk what would possess a man to say such a thing when he is standing on the death’s door and fighting to live, but it is seriously getting on my nerves. I dread going to work every day, because I know that there is going to be at least one POS drooling all over me and I have to touch them.
I was just curious if this happens in other lines of work.
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
Calls me, "sweet heart" and "darling" in a tone that just makes my hair stand up. Apparently he once tried to solicit a drink server for "favors". I also once had a man aggressively hit on me while I was trying to ring him up. He went so far as to write his phone number instead of his signature at the end of the transaction.
I got pretty freaked out because he just stood there and stared at me afterward, so I ran into the kitchen and told my male coworker what was going on. He ran up front and got rid of the creep.
Unfortunately I think this happens a lot with any line of work where one has to deal with the public :/
I’ve been sexually harassed by bosses more than customers. And I’ve had to deal with a lot of customers. It’s a problem no matter where you work.
I don’t tolerate it anymore. And I never will again. It’s one of the reasons I have no desire to return to office work.
I suggest the next time a patient says something like that, look at them pissed and stare at them for a few seconds. Like long enough to make them uncomfortable. Then do your job and change your face to disgust. Don’t be friendly after that. At all. You don’t have to tolerate it no matter what you do for a living. You should never have to. Let them know it’s not cute or ok to do.
I suspect for a lot of men you are dealing with, they probably have antiquated views of flattery. Or they are so sick that they feel they either have nothing to lose or feel so emasculated and vulnerable that they over compensate by sexualizing every encounter.
I’m sorry you have to deal with it. How do your peers deal with it.
I’m blonde. I’m 54 years old and STILL get comments from men about how they like blondes, blah, blah, blah. I’m always like, wow, Jack Ass, never heard that one before.
You can be strong and inform them of their negative actions and the results, but of course they will lash out - they are weak.
I suggest you find a local group to vent to and work through with it, don't let it brew.
Also tell your spouse vent to them. Tell them you need their support and understanding to listen.
I also worked in forensic psych and community health and it really can be bad at times
Aronia what about suggesting to your boss that there should be an in-service on sexual harassment and how to handle it
It can be harder as well when patients can be confused under the influence or with some dementia
This sux…..I hope you can find some support.... Could you refer this client to a male nurse?
If the patient is an ahole who is harassing you and has a functioning brain, I completely agree on telling them it’s not acceptable both verbally and in your body language.
With mentally compromised patients, that’s a tough one. My grandfather was the sweetest man you could ever meet. And he love dogs. But when he started having dementia, I was told by my mother that he got really mean with my dogs and threaten to hit them, which is completely out of character for him. He was the kind of man that everybody loved, including the neighbor dogs. I’d seek help from someone trained in dealing with dementia on how to handle those situations.
Bottom line, you don’t have to put up with it. Nursing is a caring profession but I know burnout is high. And patients with bad behavior make it harder to treat them as well as treat the respectful ones.
I used to make all kinds of excuses for why people act badly.. not just patients, in general. Then when I talk to policemen, they have a completely different attitude about it lol
Maybe this is less about the harassment and more that you are simply burned out and need a change, either in a different care setting or maybe in career.
Police, EMTs, etc can get pretty jaded because they see so much nonsense with all kinds of people day in and day out. I have no beef with cops but I’m pretty sure there are some piece of shit human beings in law enforcement too. I mean, let’s face it: Assholes are everywhere.
I am also in the health care field and have witnessed this situation happen multiple times. Although, not only does this happen in the medical field but sadly any work force these days.
People have told me though, there is never an excuse to not be able to stand up for yourself. Maybe that person doesn't know they are coming across as inappropriate. If you think about it this way, they might not know because no one else has told them they are being inappropriate. Possibly someone with a lower socioeconomic status might think they are complimenting you by saying these things instead of making you feel uncomfortable.
I say stand up for yourself sister! Even when it is uncomfortable! Don't take sh*t from anyone!