Wednesday, August 10, 2005

My Day: Eventful in the Worst Kind of Way

Who knew so many confrontations could occur over the course of nine hours? Things were SO INTENSE at work today. Just to let you in on a couple things, I work for a company that coordinates care for the elderly, and we hire caregivers to go to their homes. We have a lot of great caregivers, but once in awhile, we get a few BAD seeds.

Sunday I had to go work a shift because a caregiver didn't show up... well she came in today, totally clueless about her poor status with the company... and I confronted her, telling her I had to work her shift because of her irresponsibility... and she giggled and said "Yeah, that's cool, I totally forgot y'all called me about that shift!" Aye aye aye. Yeah, as you can guess, she's fired.

Two caregivers came in who went against a RIGID company policy, but I didn't have to deal with them.

Then disaster struck. A woman who had been terminated due to not showing up for a shift came for her final check. Our caregivers sign a release stating that if they do such a thing, we will deduct from their last check as a consequence. So this woman, after the deduction, got a $0 check... and SHE WAS LIVID! I told her to tone it down then got my boss... he came out, she spewed out threats, racial slurs, profanity, and mocked his name and the company, wouldn't leave the premises, and she finally got her car and drove away with even more hate leaving her lips... it was so CRAZY!

Perhaps this is such a bore to read, and some people go through stuff like this every day in their jobs... but wow, writing that really helped me get a load off.

If you think about it, pray God would bless our office with peace and help us to be a light for Christ to our caregivers--many have been through a lot of hard things and really need some love. When difficult situations come up lately, we as a staff are trying to remember the caregiver probably is going through some extremely tough times, and unfortunately, we are the brunt of their anger at the moment.

I have learned so much about the balance of Grace & Truth from working there... giving caregivers grace when they're having a rough day and are running late to work, yet still being truthful and acting as a disciplinarian at times to assure they don't walk all over you.

1 comment:

Kate McDonald said...

oh, gurl! what a day...there is almost nothing worse (to me, at least) than 'people issues'. they are so hard to deal with. thankGod you have such a sweet spirit...i am sure you handled it as best you were able.

i will really be praying for your workplace and that God will give you tons of influence there!!!!