I live in a group home for the disabled. There have been countless issues but I am curious what you would do in today’s situation. Today the house manager cursed at one of the aides that works under her. The aide was understandably upset and I doubt she is coming back. We are already severely understaffed, especially on weekends (it‘s Sunday when I am writing this). So no idea what’s going to happen with that. The house manager is a total jerk overall, but I will leave all of those details for another time. Would you report the house manager? Or is a staff issue not my business? I would love to get her fired, or at least written up. But I worry about having to deal with her in the meantime if I get on her bad side. If I do report I’m not sure if I should go to her boss or my case manager from an outside organization or both. Maybe I‘m just over-reacting, I don’t know anymore.
Ideas & Opinions Would you report this?
- Thread starter cev77
- Start date
- Tags disabled group home
I suppose it depends how much energy you're willing to put into it, whether it's really likely to get her fired, and how bad the risk is of getting on her bad side and how bad that could be. So a bit of a battle between doing what's right, or might have a desired outcome, vs self preservation and letting karma do its work longer term (hoping maybe someone else reports her etc). Maybe you could speak to your case manager from an outside organisation and ask them what the best thing is to do first, and they could maybe advise on the best route to report it or whether it's worth it. Another option could be making a note of it, then make a note of any other incidents and build a case, rather than base it on one single incident. You could leave it a day or so and see how you feel, nothing says you need to report it straight away - just make a note of it tonight and see how you feel?
I probably would not report, it, or find a confidant within the system and have it noted and then start documenting whether this is a one off and perhaps a bad day for the manager of it is a pattern. If it is a pattern I continued to see taping it could be an option, but I live in Texas which is a one party consent on audio recording. The person may have had a one time only issue, but if persistent they may just have a real issue and be abusive.
It's definitely your business. It directly impacts you because of being exposed to the manager's hostility and aggression. It also impacts you if it drives away or undermines staff. In addition, it's also an indication of what a bad manger she is in general.
The system doesn't always work the way it's supposed to, so I think you'd have to play your cards right.
How much confidence do you have in your case manager? If they seem like they're really on the ball and know the system well, talking to them might be good.
Would you have an option to go to a different group home in the worst case scenario?
The system doesn't always work the way it's supposed to, so I think you'd have to play your cards right.
How much confidence do you have in your case manager? If they seem like they're really on the ball and know the system well, talking to them might be good.
Would you have an option to go to a different group home in the worst case scenario?
There‘s been a lot of issues in the past with her. I will definitely start documenting. I’m in New Jersey, I’ll have to look on recording laws here. Thanks for the suggestions.
I don’t have too much confidence in my case manager unfortunately. I could go to another group home. Thanks for your comments.
I get along with two out of the other three residents pretty well. However they are much lower functioning so they probably wouldn’t really be able to file much of a complaint. I was the only one who witnessed it unfortunately. It seems almost everyone dislikes the house manager, both residents and staff. Thanks for responding.
I don’t have too much confidence in my case manager unfortunately. I could go to another group home. Thanks for your comments.
I get along with two out of the other three residents pretty well. However they are much lower functioning so they probably wouldn’t really be able to file much of a complaint. I was the only one who witnessed it unfortunately. It seems almost everyone dislikes the house manager, both residents and staff. Thanks for responding.
I agree with seabird, just report it. It's probably better not overthink the situation to much. I've worked in residential homes for young adults and for the elderly, where it can be a very stressful environment to work in. You might find that the manager was stressed out and cursed in anger or even maybe the other worker deserved the cursing, but it's not your place to work that out, this is your home and they work for you.
i have been through situations like this and had the same type of dilemma. In the end i chose to report. One of the times was fully known who reported. Another time i requested to stay anonymous. i saught out one staff member i trusted fully, and she was able to help in getting the report where it needed to go. She understood my fear of retaliation and the reasons behind the anonymous request.
This sounds like an extremely difficult situation, and i wish for you the ability to choose what will be the best course of action for you.
This sounds like an extremely difficult situation, and i wish for you the ability to choose what will be the best course of action for you.
You could make a complaint to the State of New Jersey Department of Health via the link on this web page:
https://www.nj.gov/health/healthfacilities/file_complaint.shtml
...or contact their Complaint Hotline directly: 1-800-792-9770
If you had success making a complaint, maybe you could let other people in the group home know about the complaint info.
https://www.nj.gov/health/healthfacilities/file_complaint.shtml
...or contact their Complaint Hotline directly: 1-800-792-9770
If you had success making a complaint, maybe you could let other people in the group home know about the complaint info.