I work in a group home and I’ve been doing the same job I am now for almost 8 years. I started at a new company in July. I take care of a 20 y/o man that is very high needs and violent. I have gotten hit or have dealt with smashed glass every single shift I’ve worked for the past almost two months. I’ve also been working 60-70 hour, 6 day weeks since I’ve started because no one wants to work in this particular group home due to the violence. We are also a hands off facility (no holds, no restraints) so when this guy does attack you, you pretty much have to take it until he is able to be redirected or he gives up. He is getting to know me more and has started attacking me less, but for reference I cleaned up smashed glass and juice 12+ times today. There have been numerous 302 holds, emergency room visits and probably hundreds of incident reports completed on him since June. They will not place this man in another facility, they won’t double staff the home and they won’t alter his behavior/crisis plan.
Today was pretty much my breaking point with management as they called me at 7:45 am asking me to come in immediately because of their own scheduling goof. They put someone on who was already scheduled somewhere else. I was sleeping and said no and hung up. When I came in for my scheduled hours and dealt with high behaviors, I just decided enough is enough. I’m not answering the phone anymore. I’m denying overtime and I’m taking my two designated days off every single week from now on. I’m not on call, I’m not signed on for mandatory overtime in my hiring paperwork. I feel like between calling me nonstop on days off and at inappropriate times to guilt me/beg me to work has gone on long enough. Not to mention them just scheduling me for nonstop doubles without asking. I’m tired and burnt out. I am not able to provide the level of patience I normally have because I’m exhausted.
The thing is they do desperately need help and I feel bad. However? I also feel like their lack of action or willingness to see that they might have accepted an inappropriate placement for our facility just isn’t my fault.
Any advice on how to stop them from taking advantage is helpful. I like my job overall and if I wasn’t working TOO much I definitely wouldn’t just give up.