THE IVORY TOWER-WHO WORKS HARDER THE BOSS OR THE WORKER

Do you like the expression that some people live in an ivory tower is it ivy tower? The bosses do not know what the workers are doing. Shows like undercover boss are fun because they show the bosses trying to do the simple job that is not so simple of the employees in their companies. But people that run places have huge responsibilities. Accountable to funders, investors and the general public, when the little cog in the wheel breaks it affects the whole company or business. I see it every day in my job- someone does not smile, does not have the right answer, does not jump when a family member demands- well you get the picture. A complaint or poor patient satisfaction! The best workplaces whatever they are have the best teams. People doing their own job well and having the back of their colleagues as well as the boss! Keeping the leaders in the loop about important issues like workplace safety, discrimination, harassment, others not pulling their weight etc. Along with the boss working at the worker level, it would be fun to see a worker trying to run the whole show. Have you ever been somewhere where a person had a promotion and the old buddies now are complaining and demanding to the new boss? In one of my management positions, it happened to a new supervisor who discovered that very notion! My advice was if you are damned if you do and damned if you don't then just do! Workplaces can be friendly and efficient but no one goes to work to make friends with everyone. Getting along, respect and mainly well- earning a pay cheque are important! Actually respecting everyone's jobs and what is contributed to the overall place goes without saying. Stop looking at what someone does and think- that person does not work as hard as I do! Take me for example, I just do. I don't grumble, complain, constantly talk about how busy I am and how tired I am so of course it may look like well I am not working as hard as the others. While someone is grumbling about the workload, I am quietly just doing what I am paid to do! Like most workplaces some days are busy nuts and other days have a manageable flow. Of course the Friday before a long weekend is always busy with at least one crisis or two. So looking at that tower remember someone is assessing the pay rates, benefits and vacation complement so just do and act like you really do deserve more!

HEAT WAVES CAN AFFECT YOUR MOOD

When we go on a southern vacation by the water, we seem to love the hot weather. At home it can be a different story. Workplaces can have the air conditioner cranked up to freezer like temperatures. Some like it cool while others do not mind a little warmth as it it is an opportunity to wear loose, cotton summer clothes and sandals. Needing to wear a sweater inside when the weather is hot outside is a little disconcerting. Hot weather does not help a person's mood. Do you ever notice anger rises its ugly head when people are too hot? Think of a traffic jam? Waiting in line at a store? Instead of feeling mellow that winter is over and the warm weather is here, many people are not ding the happy dance! In my home, I handle the heat differently than my husband. A compromise is to make the pull out couch in the living room into his bed on very hot days. No matter how much air conditioner the second floor does not cool down enough! He is happy to toss and turn there and I am not frustrated!  Basements are good.They were the old fashioned way to stay cool in the summer before everyone had houses with air conditioning. Have patience as anger is not a way to live! It is just a little heat! Do you adjust to the heat or are one that just complains? How do you cope on the very hot days?

NANA SAYS YOUNG VOLUNTEERS ARE OUR FUTURE

We have many student volunteers ( 15- 21 years) at the hospital. When I was young they were called Candy Stripers because they wore a uniform that looked like a Red and White Candy Cane! Now just wear green. Our High Schools have a community service credit that requires volunteering. Volunteers are a win-win. The young people get a chance to experience a community service and the service has a "workforce" to provide service to our patients. A wheelchair and ride to the door for a patient being discharged; taking cultures to the Lab; delivering flowers or mail to hospitalized patients and any number of small jobs are essential for good patient satisfaction. Other agencies in my region as well as the province benefit from our young volunteers. As employees it is our obligation to be supportive to them. To get into Graduate School, I needed so many community hours to demonstrate I had some experience. For this generation, the requirement has not changed. It does feel good to be assisting with the foundation for the future. How do you use young people in your workplace? Do you find they are a benefit? Do you have a story about one?

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

A day to celebrate all the accomplishments
women have done. We have come a long way
baby and there is a further journey ahead of
us.
Modern men have learnt to appreciate the
women in their lives. Shared parenting has
become more of the norm. Women have been
breaking barriers in the workplace. Support must be given to those women in other countries without the freedoms we have here in Canada.
Raise your children to see the beauty in being human without gender discrimination.
Do you have a story to share about what the day means to you?