The Other Side of the Curve
July 2nd, 2020
Over the last few months, our workforce has continually demonstrated amazing efforts and accomplishments to serve our patients, families, and support each other. But even as we look to the future, we know we have tough times ahead. The high costs of COVID-19 have forced us to make some very tough, and very sad decisions, along the road to recovery. And, we live with these decisions under a dramatic backdrop of social unrest, racism and divisive election year politics.
Given all that is happening, I want to encourage everyone to protect their own wellbeing.
I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say we are a workforce in trauma. Given uncertain times ahead and the growing possibility of a national COVID-19 resurgence, the anxiety and stress that we experience is likely to continue, not abate. We cannot afford to dismiss or postpone our needs to step back, seek help and support, and find ways to recharge. On occasion, we all need consolation and care from our friends, families, and colleagues. Please take advantage of the support you so rightly deserve.
Put aside any stigmas. Be open to the extra support we are providing. Our Wellness Office brings together many resources such as MHealthy, the offices of Counseling and Workplace Resilience, Health Equity and Inclusion, Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development, and Clinical Affairs, as well as Human Resources, to enhance efforts around well-being.
Reach out to Support Groups. You are not alone. There are abundant support groups throughout the organization. Most recently, The Office of Health Equity and Inclusion launched the Black Resource Group and the Working Families Resource Group, joining a roster of current resource groups: LGBTQ+ Resource Group, Disability Resource Group and Spirituality Resource Group. Learn more by clicking here.
No doubt, there will be more challenges ahead of us. All the more reason to take the time to care for each other AND ourselves.
Be well. Be safe.
How are you taking care of yourself during this challenging time? Share your comment in the discussion box below.
Thank you for this important reminder, it is often easy to forget your own wellbeing when caring for so many others.
Indeed, Dori. Our Michigan Medicine team has worked so hard and remained so focused on caring for others, they deserve the same caring for themselves.
This cannot help employees that are not given proper protection to do their jobs. Supervisor working from home; do not know the first thing about the employees. When expressed they tell you to find another job. You need to weed through bad supervisors.
Jenny, you have noted two valid concerns which can cause additional stress to an already challenging time for all of us at Michigan Medicine. We hear you and are doing all we can to address these issues.
Regarding your specific supervisor concern, if you have not been able to resolve the issue with your supervisor, and were unable or uncomfortable with taking it up to the next level in your department’s chain of command, you have some options to address this. You may want to talk directly with your HR business partner for additional guidance. You can also make an anonymous report via the Hot Line using the Compliance website or by calling 866-990-0111. A third-party investigation will follow. We have put these options in place so no one will feel uncomfortable about speaking up.
When you wrote “proper protection,” I am assuming you are referencing the continued challenge we have encountered with supplying PPE during this pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to procure, inventory and recycle PPE as necessary to battle COVID. Information about these efforts are provided in the Covid 19 FAQs – PPE section. While inventory levels have not been where we would like them to be at all times, rest assured we currently have enough PPE to properly protect our workforce and our patients and visitors.
If you do not find resolution, continue to SPEAK UP. It is one of our High Reliability skills which are critical to the success of our organization.