Hospital Workplace Incivility

I guess most of the hospitals here in the Philippines runs a bureaucratic structure wherein an organizational chart portrays a clear line of subordination. I know you know what I'm talking about. Whom is responsible for who thing. Well okay, this is suited for large numbers of workers who performs routine task since orientation and management of workforce is easier. This fosters authoritarian leadership style and the "need to control attitude" which in turn alienates the inferior staffs.

Job description on the other hand is provided to every employee to acquire role clarity. But in reality we work way beyond what is just. The international standard for the ideal ratio of nurse-patient in hospitals is 1:4. Hence, we are serving 10-14 or more patients per nurse + the work of our aides/orderlies even if they're around but cannot be found most of the time. No one seem to think that role ambiguity and heavy workload is detrimental to a healthy milieu.

Superiors' self insecurities magnifies abuse of power by being vindictive despite own fault. Unconsciously, admit it or not, we always desire to reciprocate to that uncivil act and inflict harm. But then again, we chose not to because we were raised by our parents to be eminent even if job dissatisfaction results to low morale. This photo depicts HORIZONTAL VIOLENCE. Grabbed from Medscape (Clark, 2011).


Burn out and angst lingers when we take our eyes off our goals.

One way or another we had experienced workplace incivilities, it may be subtle or overt to be significantly noticed. Classic day to day scenarios are:
1. Being absent or late
2. Feigning unawareness
3. Not listening
4. Side conversations
5. Backstabbing
6. Prejudice
7. Emotional attacks
8. Disrespecting colleagues by harsh comments and gestures
9. Demeaning about professioanl competence
10. Undermining credibility in front of others
11. Overruling decisions without seeking others
12. Giving public reprimands
13. Speaking with a condescending tone
14. Insulting others
15. Production deviance
16. Hostility/ personal aggression
17. Sabotage
18. Misuse of information
19. Poor communication pattern
20. Iniquitous attitude

21. Deliberate disruptions
21. Sexual harrassment....What else?