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Original poster

My probation has been extended for another 3 months.......

37 replies

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 12:31

just because of ONE bad night !

Just been to see my manager and apparently there were some 'serious complaints' from a Resident and another member of staff about our (another new girl) work last Friday. "Things" supposedly happened at 7am which I should have sorted, but infact they didn't happen until gone then as we didn't give handover until gone 7.10 as one of the girls (who I suspect is the 'complainer') didn't come in until then. For example, I finish at 7.10 - but didn't leave until 7.45 on Saturday morning and apparently I gave at handover that one gentleman was sat on the bed naked - I actually told someone as I was on my way out the door at 7.45 as it was then that I found him.

Most of what was said was complete and utter bollox but because I'm the 'new' girl and this other one has been there eons, and is the day supervisor so it's her word over mine.

I'm partly and partly that this is all being laid at my feet when most of it was out of my hand.

OP posts:
threelittlebabies · 23/02/2006 13:05

I am sorry to hear this, how frustrating for you. Are you in a union? Did you have anyone working with you who could back you up?

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 13:27

No I'm not in a Union unfortunately. I had someone else working with me, who's newer than I am, the manager wants to speak to her too - but I know for a fact that she's just going to give the same information I gave. Which shows that we didn't do anything wrong - only thing we didn't do that perhaps we should have is put a dressing on a ladies leg. She fell over in the night and got a small skin flap, wasn't bleeding, and as neither of us have done our First Aid Training (got it next week), and it wasn't bleeding we opted to leave it. Apparently she was found on the floor at 7am (nonsense as we didn't finish handover until 7.20) and it was bleeding.

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Sparklemagic · 23/02/2006 13:38

HRH, join a union now! I think Unison is open to all trades, why not ring them?

A union can be a really useful ally and it seems wise in view of the current situation just to get a bit of back up.

PeachyClair · 23/02/2006 13:56

If you two haven't got first aid I take it there was another first aider there? If not I'd be seriously concerned myself!

Nursing Homes are one of those places thata re either fab to work for or awful, you can usually tell by the attitude of the senior- if they own it because they need a pension fund then worry, if they're hands on and great then . Too often ime it's the former.

They've extended your probation rather than get rid of you so I wouldn't worry too much, just remember to watch this girl as she's obv a bit of a so-and-so. Go over her head and make sure there's people around if you do have to do something that could be twuisted against you.

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 14:03

There was no other firstaider there - but we both knew that if there was an emergency to call 999 or Keydoc (out of hours Dr.) and if we needed someone to call the night supervisor - who lives about 10 houses up from the home.

The owner is a fabulous bloke, the manager is very hands on - but has her 'favourites' - it's generally not a place to work.......unless you get on the wrong side of a 'favourite'.

I was sure so my probation would be extended - I had a really good supervision about 3 weeks ago, where the manager had praised me after the night she'd worked with me.

I'm just really hacked off about it.

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Flossam · 23/02/2006 14:07

Unfortunately as you are finding out QoQ you really need to cover your arse in this job. Document any falls time, place and treatment or not and rationalise everything. Even as an untrained member of staff (IYKWIM).

Also agree with contacting Unison. More money every month to go out but when you are caring for people in such a way you need to have some kind of insurance to make sure you will be covered.

I hope things get better for you from now on.

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 14:10

That's the thing - all the paperwork is there, we filled in all the careplans, gave it all over at handover what we had/hadn't done. And it just so happens that 2 people stripped off in the 1/2hr between last check and end of handover, and one obviously tried to get out of bed (again) and fell.

We even filled in the accident report for the woman for the earlier fall in the night, and pinned it on the board where it's supposed to go.

OK we did forget to open the blinds/curtains and put the dishwasher on - but I'd hardly call that a crime - as frustrating as it may be.

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Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 14:11

b*gger just seen the time - I'm supposed to be playing at toddler group at 2.00........think I'd better fly,

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Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 15:48

aghh feeling really about it all now. I'm working tonight, and one of the issues which was brought up I KNOW for fact was brought up by the girl I'm working with tonight (I changed a pad last week Wednesday during the night - next check the lady in question was soaked and didn't have her pad on any more - and apprently that means I didn't change the pad.....I'd like to know where I got the wet pad from I took down and put in the bin). And what's worse is this particular issue was brought to the managers attention by the newest night girl of all - and I've got to spend 9 1/4hrs on duty with her tonight......

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prettybird · 23/02/2006 15:59

All yuo can do it "thole" it (to use a good Scottish word): do the best that you know you are already doing and get on with the job professionally. Sooner or later, the "liars" will be found out.

But do join a union.

And log for yourself everythng that you do - and keep a diary of thsoe occasions when others haven't been totally honest. There may be apttern that you can recognise - and which you can then "protect" yourself against.

spacecadet · 23/02/2006 16:07

QOQ-im a member of unison and they have helped me in the past when i was "bullied" doing a bank shift on an emi ward 3 years ago, do join them.

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 16:21

psst - what does "thole it" mean???

You mean I've got to act tonight like nothing's unusual even though I know that this new girl has been telling lies??

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sfxmum · 23/02/2006 16:25

hello sorry this is happening to you.
i agree its important to be part of a union, too much libel going around.
but you should have access to the policies and procedures, it should state clearly the circunstances when probation is extended. its seldom due to one incident and you should have had prior warning and maybe a performance review. its a good idea to be aware of current policies and procedures and by law they should be made available to you.
good luck

you can call unison and ask for brief advice even if you are not a member

prettybird · 23/02/2006 16:27

To "thole" something means just to bear it it even though you don't want to. or to suffer "thorugh" something, espically if you know that it (should be) of limited duration. (Maybe it's a west coast word - I thought you'd spent time in Scotland - but was it just Edinburgh?)

You know the girl concerned: if you are all sweetness and light to her and just get on with things, then she'll either try it again - and maybe land herself in it - or she'll decide it's not worth the bother and just get on with the job.

Does she feel vulnerable? Are there only a limited number of "permanent" positions, ie they dont' want you to complete your probationary period?

Is it in your employer's interests to keep you on probation? Do you get a pay rise when you come off it?

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 16:34

sfx - I had my supervision about 3 weeks ago - and it was really good - only one 'negative' - and that was that I need to be a bit quicker getting the residents up - the rest of it the praise was heaped on - and it was made pretty clear that we'd 99.99% certain be signing my contract this week.

Prettybird - there are definitley no 'limit' of permanent positions - we're still a night member of staff short - so we're ALL needed. If one of us leaves they're really be struggling again (struggle by as it is without our extra night girl).

I think I do get a slight payrise when I come off probation - but I think it's the sort that's hardly worth sniffing it - you know a couple of extra pence an hour sort of thing - it's only once I complete my NVQ2 I'll get a 'decent' payrise.

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Mazzystar · 23/02/2006 16:41

do you know what QoQ, they don't sound like very nice people to work with. know jobs don't grow on trees and all (struggling to find one myself), but i'd keep my eye out for something else.

is your supervisor a sensible person?

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 16:45

Thankfully the night supervisor is a pretty sensible person. She was there at the meeting with the manager - but didn't really say much. I did get a slight sense that perhaps she saw my side of the story and believe me, whereas I got the impression that the manager thought I was lying.

Have to confess I have already looked at the jobcentre website today.....but the only other care jobs in there I'm 99.99% are at work 'sister' home ...

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Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 19:37

getting a really horrible feeling about going to work tonight, really don't want to have to spend 9 1/4hrs on my own with this woman. I didn't much like her when we first worked together (last week) but couldn't put my finger on what it was.....guess now I know). Going to feel like my every move is being monitored and they've obviously taken her word on the pad change thing as being true (well the lady was wet again after I'd changed her - but that tends to happen when incontinent ladies remove their pads - but I'd definitely already changed her once before).

Just want to curl up in a corner and cry, really thought when I went into work today for this meeting it was to sort my contract out - and now I have to wait another 3 months - and those 3 months I'm going to be watched and treated like a bl**dy idiot .

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MarsOnLife · 23/02/2006 19:40

will get DH to read this and let you know what he thinks you should do.

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 19:53

thanks Mars .

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MarsOnLife · 23/02/2006 20:10

Told DH he said that you need to keep a diary between now and the end of your probationary period.

Log down what you do during the evenings. Be as specific as possible with times, residents names, any tasks you undertake in case you are asked again. Then you'll be able to refer to your diary as opposed to memory.

It will also show the manager and night staff supervisor that you are serious about getting things right. It would also make them more wary of taking any formal actions (ie getting rid of you) as you will have records.

Unfortunately they have the right to extend your probation. Of course they could also shorten it again and give you a full time contract. There is no need to show them the diary, but if you do need to use it or they see that you are keeping it DH said that you should tell them that you were rather shocked at the outcome of the last probationary period and want to be sure to do all that you should be doing.

hth

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 20:14

Thanks Mars - shall do that - sounds like a good idea. My memories not very good at the best of times.

One of the things she mentioned was how many people we got up - she realed off a short list and it was only when I got home I realised that I'm sure she missed someone off. I don't remember her saying "X" and I know for a fact I got him up - as he had a funny turn on me.

Think I might miss out the ciggie breaks - even when I'm sharing my ciggie breaks with the night supervisor - wouldn't want her getting into trouble for the amount of ciggies she smokes

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MarsOnLife · 23/02/2006 20:15

try not to let it get to you. Do the best you can, keep the diary and let me know how it goes. Can always ask DH for advice for you and what he would expect of his staff.

Off to bookgroup now so have a good night!

jowen · 23/02/2006 20:19

ok, qoq, you document everything. When you write up people's care notes, you note what time you change the pad, how many times they get out of bed and wander around, whether they are confused, etc. Then if you are accused, not only do they have to prove you are lying verbally, but that you wrote lies in the care notes. they will struggle a lot to do this if you are telling the truth about everything!

As you don't have a first aid certificate, and are on duty with someone who doesn't have a first aid certificate, I would strongly advise that every time any accident occurs and someone lands on the floor, you call the superviser, keydoc or an ambulance if there is blood. This is as much about your job as the resident's safety. Your employer won't send you on a first aid course if they can help it, first aid courses cost money.

Get hold of your work's policy folder and read it. Then when you are accused, you can prove you followed policy, which you can't do if you don't know what the policy is.

I think it is important for everyone who does and employs in this job that care assistants cannot control a resident's behavior, only deal with the consequences of a resident's behavior - ie you cannot physically stop someone wetting themselves over and over again, you can just do your best to make sure they always get cleaned up. Maybe some of the people you work with need to be reminded of that.

FWIW, The morning you had doesn't sound that unusual for a nursing home, sometimes it does just go tits up!

Original poster
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/02/2006 20:24

Jowen - We've actually got a 3hr First Aid Training Course next Wednesday - that's one thing thye are good at - training. Since I've been there (3 months) I've done infection control, risk assessment, dementia, fire, and abuse training. Got the First Aid next week, and moving and handling the following week.

With the woman's injury - (was a small skin flap) there was no blood was just a little pink. Apparently at 7am (haha we were all downstairs then) she'd fallen out again and it was bleeding.

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