I work at a hospital. I'm in the therapy dept. My friend and I were returning a patient to bed. The patient is known to have crazy outbursts because he's mentally retarded. We were using a draw sheet to get him back.
The patient grabbed a hold of my buddies dreadlocks and wouldn't let them go. He was throwing a huge fit crying and screaming like he always does. I had to almost break his fingers to get him to let go. Well this is like the 3rd or 4th time he's grabbed a hold of someone.
Our boss called us into her office. I told her I would never go back into the patients room again for fear of loosing an eye or getting injured. He almost ripped a handful of dreadlocks out of my buddies head. She kind of looked at me funny like I wouldn't have a choice. She's a bitch, didn't even bother to ask my friend if he was okay. She's more worried about loosing a patient then her staffs well being. We're both very underpaid (both of us are getting new jobs soon)
If she tells me to go back in there and I refuse, Do I have any leg to stand on? I get paid like shit. I know if it was one of her female therapists it would be a whole different story. I had my buddy fill out and incident report and tell them he feels like he was assaulted.
Unfortunately, if you refuse, you could probably be fired for non-compliance or negligence in performing your job duties. That may even disqualify you from collecting unemployment compensation, as some states have certain guidelines concerning such stipulations.
You also need to consider your job description. Most employers cover their asses when it comes to on-the-job hazards. Oftentimes, when you sign the offer of employment, you waive your rights to take any kind of action against them in the event that something like what you described above happens. In that instance, then no: you would probably not have much of a leg to stand on.
Another thing to consider is that filing a complaint to higher-ups would probably not be looked favorably upon. It is doubtful they would do anything to help, and it would likely get you in even hotter water with your direct supervisor for going over her head. If she's the bitch you claim she is, this is almost certain to be the case, and it will cause even greater tension creating a MORE HOSTILE work environment.
My best advice is to first identify your rights as an employee considering your job duites.
Next, explore your options considering their effectiveness and consequences.
DO NOT DO ANYTHING IMPULSIVE OR DRASTIC until then.
Finally, START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB RIGHT F'N NOW!! It would greatly benefit you to find something before (in case) these assholes do fire you. Especially in this market, it's much easier to find a job when you've already got a job. It looks better on you, and you avoid the awkwardness of having to explain why you were fired. If they ask you in the interview why you are looking to leave your current place of employment, explain to them what happened by using as much fact and as little opinion as possilbe; i.e., describe the actual and potential dangers, but leave out the part of your boss bing a total bitch. Even put a positive spin on it by saying something like you're looking to advance your career by working in a better and safer environment and recieve better financial compensation. Any interviewer should respect that
