Alberta Health-Care Workers Told To Shut Up

[Nehkara]

Health workers told to shut up

Alberta health-care workers need whistleblower legislation to allow them to speak out about flaws in the system, says NDP house leader Rachel Notley.

The Edmonton-Strathcona MLA is concerned about the recently released Alberta Health Services code of conduct, saying it's intimidating to workers.

Notley is particularly concerned about a segment of the document that reads: "Conduct that adversely affects the interests of Alberta Health Services ... could result in disciplinary action, even dismissal or termination."

I can tell, as a health-care worker myself, things are getting very scary. There is a lot of fear about huge cuts coming (similar to those in the 90s) and things are looking bleak.

This government needs a swift boot in the a$$.

[Nehkara]

Calgary Herald Article

CALGARY - Doctors, nurses and opposition parties are voicing concern with Alberta Health Services' new employee code of conduct, arguing the superboard is enforcing unreasonable protocols and muzzling employees from speaking out.

The recently adopted employee standards threaten health-care professionals with termination if they speak publicly about perceived mismanagement within the agency at a time when spending cuts could be on the horizon, critics say.

The code warns employees they must refer all media inquiries about Alberta Health Services' practices and operations to the agency's communications department. It also reminds health professionals to "exercise caution at all times and to choose your words carefully when engaging in any form of public speaking."

Failure to abide by the rules, or engaging in conduct that "adversely affects the interests of Alberta Health Services," could result in disciplinary action or termination, according to the guidelines.

[mykalberta]

They are employees of a corporation - government yes but still a corporation-like organization.

You dont see Husky, Encana, employees blabbing to the media. If they did I am sure they would quietly fired. I hve no problem with this rule, its in the private sector.

You keep issues in house. If you dont like where you work quit and move to the US.

If you are worried that your issues arent being taken seriously - welcome to the working world.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

They are employees of a corporation - government yes but still a corporation-like organization.

You dont see Husky, Encana, employees blabbing to the media. If they did I am sure they would quietly fired. I hve no problem with this rule, its in the private sector.

You keep issues in house. If you dont like where you work quit and move to the US.

If you are worried that your issues arent being taken seriously - welcome to the working world.

A lot of companies have ombudspeople or other avenues to take concerns with their own internal whistleblower protection. I'd say that my main concern is this doesn't exist in AB Health and definitely should.

[automaton 3]

Nehkara, I sincerely hope your job is safe.

The Province is bleeding red ink, and the Alberta health-care budget is enormous at 10.8 billion - which is apparantly the highest per capita spending in Canada.

I attended a talk a few years ago in Edmonton, and the figures there showed that in terms of "bang vs. bucks spent", Alberta's health-care performance was miserable in comparision to other Provinces, and other countries.

Any thoughts as to why that is the case...I'm genuinely curious.

[corporatejay]

I was going to say, I think a lot of corporations have whistleblower protection especially when it comes to things like safety.

[BlackArcher101]

Well, I know that if I speak publicly about perceived mismanagement within my employer, that'd I'd be threatened with termination as well. Why should the health sector be any different?

Pardon my ignorance... but does the goverment actually run the health sector or just hand out the money to it?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

They are employees of a corporation - government yes but still a corporation-like organization.

You dont see Husky, Encana, employees blabbing to the media. If they did I am sure they would quietly fired. I hve no problem with this rule, its in the private sector.

You keep issues in house. If you dont like where you work quit and move to the US.

If you are worried that your issues arent being taken seriously - welcome to the working world.

Spot on! If went running to the media every time I thought there was something wrong with my job or the company I work for, I wouldn't have a job very long. If you don't like you're job or where you work... quit.

Stop yer whining. You're lucky to have a job... and one that pays pretty good too. I have no sympathy for health care workers re pay and stuff... They play the system to a tee... especially nurses.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

The Province is bleeding red ink, and the Alberta health-care budget is enormous at 10.8 billion - which is apparantly the highest per capita spending in Canada.

I attended a talk a few years ago in Edmonton, and the figures there showed that in terms of "bang vs. bucks spent", Alberta's health-care performance was miserable in comparision to other Provinces, and other countries.

Any thoughts as to why that is the case...I'm genuinely curious.

Because there are a lot of dogfataers at Alberta Health & Wellness HQ.

I know of one case where it took 4 employees two hours each to figure out how to conference call someone. And I it would have taken longer if someone outside the organization hadn't told them what to do.

[Fire]

10.8 billion for Healthcare is crazy. Time for some cutting and privatization. Does the province have to go bankrupt before this happens?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Spot on! If went running to the media every time I thought there was something wrong with my job or the company I work for, I wouldn't have a job very long. If you don't like you're job or where you work... quit.

Stop yer whining. You're lucky to have a job... and one that pays pretty good too. I have no sympathy for health care workers re pay and stuff... They play the system to a tee... especially nurses.

If the health of the public is being adversley affected i'd like to know.

Play the system to a tee? That's a joke! My best friends wife is a nurse in the pain management area of the Tom Baker. She and her fellow nurses do a damn good job with the little resources they have. Maybe you should do some research before you spout off.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

Because there are a lot of dogfataers at Alberta Health & Wellness HQ.

I know of one case where it took 4 employees two hours each to figure out how to conference call someone. And I it would have taken longer if someone outside the organization hadn't told them what to do.

How does this example even remotely represent healthcare workers?

Them and teachers get treated terribly. The Alberta Super Health Board is a joke, and this province is screwed as far as healthcare is concerned. Maybe it's being done on purpose though.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

If the health of the public is being adversley affected i'd like to know.

Play the system to a tee? That's a joke! My best friends wife is a nurse in the pain management area of the Tom Baker. She and her fellow nurses do a damn good job with the little resources they have. Maybe you should do some research before you spout off.

Maybe you should keep your trap shut about things you know nothing about.

Two years ago, my wife used to work in the scheduling department of a major hospital in Calgary, so I think my info is a little better than yours (who has a friend who has a wife... da da, da da, da da...)

She scheduled nurses hours. Nurses like to work part time. The majority seem to like it that way. .... the reason being is the hospital is always chronically short of nursing staff (nobody wants to work full time) so the Scheduling dept has to always be calling up the part time nurses and beg them to come and do this shift or that shift. Usually when they get a hold of the nurses, the usual response is "Im too busy ... call my back when you are willing to pay me double my normal salary".... and of course the scheduling dept always does.
Therefore the nurse end up working a std 40 hour week. 20 hours at regular pay ($32-40 per hour) and 20 hours at double pay.

That is one of the reasons our health care costs are so high.

My wife hated her job. You wouldn't believe how hard the nurses were to deal with and the abuse she took from them for just trying to do her job. She ended up quitting because of it.

[flamingreen]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Pardon my ignorance... but does the goverment actually run the health sector or just hand out the money to it?

They run it, especially with Ron Liepert at the helm, who has his fingers in everything (regardless if he has a clue or not).

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Maybe you should keep your trap shut about things you know nothing about.

You just said all nurses play the system to a tee

My late uncle was in the pain mangement of the Tom Baker a year and a half ago due to pain from his lung cacner. His nurse was my best friends wife. The whole family was quite impressed with the work she did while caring for my uncle. Do your research before you label every nurse with the same brush. It's insulting and offensive to those that do a great job!

Two years ago, my wife used to work in the scheduling department of a major hospital in Calgary, so I think my info is a little better than yours (who has a friend who has a wife... da da, da da, da da...)

You sound like the kid down the street going my dad can beat up your dad

She scheduled nurses hours. Nurses like to work part time. The majority seem to like it that way. .... the reason being is the hospital is always chronically short of nursing staff (nobody wants to work full time) so the Scheduling dept has to always be calling up the part time nurses and beg them to come and do this shift or that shift. Usually when they get a hold of the nurses, the usual response is "Im too busy ... call my back when you are willing to pay me double my normal salary".... and of course the scheduling dept always does.
Therefore the nurse end up working a std 40 hour week. 20 hours at regular pay ($32-40 per hour) and 20 hours at double pay.

That is one of the reasons are health care costs are so high.

My wife hated her job. You wouldn't believe how hard the nurses were to deal with and the abuse she took from them for just trying to do her job. She ended up quitting because of it.

No one is saying there aren't problems within the system. However to label all workers with a broad brush is misleading.

Your wife wasn't happy and left. Hope she found something more to her liking.

My best friends wife loves her job and enjoys working with patients.

[flamingreen]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Maybe you should keep your trap shut about things you know nothing about.

Two years ago, my wife used to work in the scheduling department of a major hospital in Calgary, so I think my info is a little better than yours (who has a friend who has a wife... da da, da da, da da...)

She scheduled nurses hours. Nurses like to work part time. The majority seem to like it that way. .... the reason being is the hospital is always chronically short of nursing staff (nobody wants to work full time) so the Scheduling dept has to always be calling up the part time nurses and beg them to come and do this shift or that shift. Usually when they get a hold of the nurses, the usual response is "Im too busy ... call my back when you are willing to pay me double my normal salary".... and of course the scheduling dept always does.
Therefore the nurse end up working a std 40 hour week. 20 hours at regular pay ($32-40 per hour) and 20 hours at double pay.

That is one of the reasons our health care costs are so high.

My wife hated her job. You wouldn't believe how hard the nurses were to deal with and the abuse she took from them for just trying to do her job. She ended up quitting because of it.

So wait, nurses that were hired as part time workers are asked to work beyond their normal hours and because of that they ask for compensation based on their bargaining agreement. The nerve!

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

You just said all nurses play the system to a tee

My late uncle was in the pain mangement of the Tom Baker a year and a half ago due to pain from his lung cacner. His nurse was my best friends wife. The whole family was quite impressed with the work she did while caring for my uncle. Do your research before you label every nurse with the same brush. It's insulting and offensive to those that do a great job!



You sound like the kid down the street going my dad can beat up your dad



No one is saying there aren't problems within the system. However to label all workers with a broad brush is misleading.

Your wife wasn't happy and left. Hope she found something more to her liking.

My best friends wife loves her job and enjoys working with patients.

I was talking about pay and stuff... not how hard they work. I know a lot of them work hard and a lot of them do a good job. Quit twisting what I said.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by flamingreen

So wait, nurses that were hired as part time workers are asked to work beyond their normal hours and because of that they ask for compensation based on their bargaining agreement. The nerve!

Everything they are doing is strictly kosher.... but they ARE working the system for everything they can get..... and everything they get comes from our tax dollars.... thus they get no sympathy from me if they start to complain because something isn't to their liking.


Nothing wrong with doing that if the system allows it.... just don't start complaining about how hard done you are.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I was talking about pay and stuff... not how hard they work. I know most of them work hard and most of them do a good job. Quit twisting what I said.

I twisted nothing.

You didn't specify what "stuff" was.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

I twisted nothing.

You didn't specify what "stuff" was.

Well you know what they say about you when you assume something...

Perhaps you should have asked what I meant by "stuff" before flying off into a tizzy.