Dealing with toxic workplace

[martyp]

Once you are retired you need to let go and leave all that behind. Who won and who lost? You won't care (or shouldn't). Look to the future.

 

[Katiek]

My own experience is that when I'm in a toxic environment, it impacts all aspects of my life. I think about it when I'm away from the immediate environment that gives rise to the negative feelings. It impacts my thinking and feelings in ways I don't even realize.

But shortly after I leave and get away from that environment, I realize how little it really matters. The people and situations don't impact me any more and I'm so happy focusing on new, positive things that I don't really think about the other things at all.

I've changed jobs a few times to move to a more supportive, healthy environment, and I've never looked back. Once you're away from the negativity, you'll be surprised how little you care about the situation anymore.

 

[EastWest Gal]

Just getting away from chronic overwork and toxic people at my old job in September has resulted in immediate relief of many physical symptoms. The medical director who came in to "fix" our group (we've been screaming for help from our corporate higher-ups due to overwork for years) has fixed our group all right. Out of 9 physicians, I've retired, and 4 have quit or are quitting in the space of 15 months. It's a hot mess right now. I got out at the right time.

It is likely that an experienced hospital pharmacist can find work in a more pleasant environment, perhaps even a part time position, that can help ease you into a retirement mindset.

On the other hand, if you are FI, why not consider retiring?

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

If you are FI, I would recommend leaving...now. life is simply too short to deal with that crap. When you are on your deathbed, not a single one of those folks will come around to thank you or offer good luck in the 'next world'. You have got to always, always, always look out for number one.

Sent from my mobile device so please excuse grammatical errors.

 

[johnnyfuego]

EWC gal, I'm kinda like what Chuckanut advised me today and maybe you will as well,

Imagine having a long journey on a treacherous road with a backpack full of extra food, clothing, maps, survival equipment and other gear needed to insure your safety and success.

Finally a few miles from the end of the journey you realize you don't need all the extra food, water, clothing, foul weather gear and so on. You toss it to the side or give it to some other poor soul and complete the last day's walk with a very light pack. The last few miles are an easy walk on a good road, in good weather with plenty of pleasant scenery and nice people to accompany you. At last you can enjoy the trip without having to worry about surviving.

That's how I felt.

 

[MRG]

I think I had almost 25 good years. Sure lots of hours but you were rewarded. My last 5 stunk, hostile is the right word.

One morning when things were at their worst, I felt bad. Really lost most of a day. Finally an ambulance was callled and they hauled me out of there. The EMTs insisted on taking me to a level 1 trama center as they were sure I'd had a stoke.

The ER doctor ruled a stroke out quickly, but was trying to diagnose what happened. He figured it out, thought in my case it was totally stress related(TGA). The incorrect thoughts I had when I thought stress had helped cause a stroke made me choose what's important.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

 

[johnnyfuego]

My bad, Francis...

 

[daylatedollarshort]

But shortly after I leave and get away from that environment, I realize how little it really matters. The people and situations don't impact me any more and I'm so happy focusing on new, positive things that I don't really think about the other things at all.

This is good advice. I have always found it interesting after leaving a job how little I thought about it after a few months of being in a new environment. Out of sight, out of mind has been true for me.

 

[growing_older]

I have worked with good companies which have turned into toxic environments several times. I have always found ways to stay on and do the best I could, but in every instance it ended badly. These were the worst decisions I ever made. I regret every minute I stayed after the toxic changes and none of what I managed to accomplish in any of them was understood or appreciated by the toxic people who ruined these companies. I hope I have learned my lessons and will never do that again.

One thing possibly in your favor is that if others have already left this place, you may now have people who know your work that have landed at other employers. Since you are FI, you could be deciding to retire, but with multiple contacts, you might also consider just finding another job with people you know who have already left. Since you are FI, you could even take a pay cut for a better work environment.

 

[lhamo]

One of my friends knew a labor lawyer and ran things by him. He was interested in pursuing this but no one wants to stick their neck out because they will likely be fired.

Francis

Maybe you should be the one to follow up with that labor lawyer? Might be able to benefit yourself, your friends AND your patients. Overworked pharmacists sounds like a recipe for a medical malpractice suit if you ask me....

 

[davemartin88]

I retired in 2008 leaving a situation that was fast becoming toxic, I was lucky and was over it on the ride home and haven't missed the office for a minute since then. It would seem you would be able to find part time work if you want to keep your hand in but being FI makes this your decision, not theirs! If your health has started to suffer, then I wouldn't wait too long, not worth it and you don't owe them anything other than your hard work and effort until you leave. Too many opportunities elsewhere to volunteer and otherwise feel like you contribute if that is something that drives you.

I realized that I had been training all my working life to retire- don't stay where you're not appreciated if you don't have too!

 

[ERhoosier]

Maybe you should be the one to follow up with that labor lawyer? Might be able to benefit yourself, your friends AND your patients. Overworked pharmacists sounds like a recipe for a medical malpractice suit if you ask me....

For sure! Important to fully document these issues to prevent the individual professional (pharm, doc, nurse, whatever) from being held responsible for failing to follow literally impossible system (admin) mandates (like being required to be 2 places at once!.

 

[2B]

For sure! Important to fully document these issues to prevent the individual professional (pharm, doc, nurse, whatever) from being held responsible for failing to follow literally impossible system (admin) mandates (like being required to be 2 places at once!.

The classic approach is to document a response for when "counseled" for failing to be in two places at once. It never works. The apparent goal is to force him out. I have been in these types of situations and the best response is to start planning your next step in life and tune out the static. Accept that fact that you won't survive no matter what you do so stop stressing out (or caring) what's said. Do what you can. Do what you think is right. Try to let people/managers that won't be receiving your service as they expect what you are doing whenever possible.

 

[pullmyfinger]

At least I am preparing to leave if need be. My plan would be to relax as long as I want to - years possibly. It's almost I have to detox from the place. Then, if I want to I could always work a day or two every so often. I don't think I'll have to work from a monetary standpoint but maybe just to keep in touch with the profession.

Francis

I am still detoxing after quitting my toxic job (RN) 4 months ago. The physical symptoms improved immediately. The blood pressure is great, I can sleep at night and the crushing headaches stopped. I was actually taking big doses of Citalopram and Klonopin to be able to work! And even that wasn't enough. I will never do that again.

While the physical symptoms have improved I think the mental anguish will take much longer for me. I still find myself thinking about the nasty treatment I received from coworkers and it still upsets me. Even though I was FI and knew that I could quit whenever I wanted.

 

[FreeAtLast]

It sounds like life in the blender and it is time to get out. Why stay when life could be better elsewhere. I would be concerned about your own health.

 

[LoneAspen]

I'm 55 years old, work in healthcare, and am FI.

Since you've already achieved the harder of the two letters, "FI"...all you need to do is add "RE" to the end of it.

Resignation letter + two weeks notice = freedom

I would do that in a heartbeat if I thought my health was at risk.

 

[travelover]

After you've had that stroke, are paralyzed on one side and can't speak, you can smugly say to yourself, "I guess I showed those bastards".

 

[eytonxav]

I think many companies look to replace highly paid senior employees with younger lower paid types, but they don't necessarily try to create a toxic atmosphere to accomplish it. If your work environment is that bad that it is affecting your health, I'd leave. Since you are FI, I suppose you have the option to retire or look for another job where you would be appreciated should you choose to keep working.

 

[Francis]

For sure! Important to fully document these issues to prevent the individual professional (pharm, doc, nurse, whatever) from being held responsible for failing to follow literally impossible system (admin) mandates (like being required to be 2 places at once!.

The imposssible work duties are from consultants they bring in. It's a big hospital and we used to have twelve pharmacists in the day, it was reduced to about 8 by consultant. Now there is some efficiency expert (whom they brought in several times from 1200 miles away) who claims we are overstaffed and only need 5. We do document everything possible for future use.

Francis

 

[Francis]

I am still detoxing after quitting my toxic job (RN) 4 months ago. The physical symptoms improved immediately. The blood pressure is great, I can sleep at night and the crushing headaches stopped. I was actually taking big doses of Citalopram and Klonopin to be able to work! And even that wasn't enough. I will never do that again.

While the physical symptoms have improved I think the mental anguish will take much longer for me. I still find myself thinking about the nasty treatment I received from coworkers and it still upsets me. Even though I was FI and knew that I could quit whenever I wanted.

It seems like our workplaces are similar. I can't believe what's happened to the working conditions in healthcare over the past 10 years. I think a big reason is the sale of many community hospitals to for profit chains. Sure, community hospitals wanted to make money but the for profit chains are a whole different ballgame.

Francis

 

[Lakewood90712]

It seems like our workplaces are similar. I can't believe what's happened to the working conditions in healthcare over the past 10 years. I think a big reason is the sale of many community hospitals to for profit chains. Sure, community hospitals wanted to make money but the for profit chains are a whole different ballgame.

Francis

Having never worked in healthcare, I'm speaking as an observer.

It's one of the businesses that largely can't be off shored and automation is to increase technological aspects, not reduce patient care man-hours. This is where the real cost of inflation comes in, along with the drive to keep healthcare cost down. 2 % cpi inflation is fantasy in such an environment. To keep costs down , everything in the book to eliminate other costs has already been done, nothing is left but working the staff harder. Not complicated at all.

I Have a relatives in healthcare , worked in for profit and not for profit hospitals. "Not for profit" staff folks are seeing the same thing.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Can you do contract work and get paid by the hour? We have a neighbor who is a pharmacist and does that and works when he wants. They have some side businesses they own, too, and seem to do quite well between the various income sources.

 

[travelover]

........ To keep costs down , everything in the book to eliminate other costs has already been done, nothing is left but working the staff harder. ............

Not to derail this thread or hijack, but the US healthcare industry is in serious denial. Coming from the US auto industry, I know denial when I see it. Trees don't grow to the sky, so eventually this medical cost inflation will hit a hard wall.

That said, I feel for the OP and hope he can exit to a better life..

 

[WestcoastRN]

Francis - I, too, have worked in healthcare most of my career and saw the dramatic changes you describe, with the last 5 years seeing the most dramatic changes and dangerous workloads I couldn't ever imagine. Upper management consists of people who have never worked a day in the clinical setting, though they are the ones mandating unsustainable workloads for the doctors, nurses, and pharmacists delivering the patient care. Sound familiar?

As others have said, make the most of what short time you have on this earth. Nothing worse than living with regrets.

 

[Francis]

I think many companies look to replace highly paid senior employees with younger lower paid types, but they don't necessarily try to create a toxic atmosphere to accomplish it.

That's true. And I know several health care entities that combined and offered employees severance packages to retire. But some companies go out of their way to create a toxic environment so they don't have to offer severance or even unemployment payments. They just make conditions so bad that people leave.

Francis