Shawn McVey, MA, MSW
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Our assigned office call technician takes frequent, long restroom breaks. Oftentimes when the doctor comes out of an exam
room and needs help, this employee is in the bathroom. I have a hunch she's on her cell phone, which is against practice policy
during business hours. To my knowledge she doesn't have a medical issue that requires frequent potty breaks. How should I
approach this topic with the employee? —POTTY PROBLEMS
DEAR PROBLEMS:
Aside from the obvious diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome or other medical condition, there's no reason an employee should
be away from her post for that long. As a service business, we rely on promptness and attentiveness to provide clients with
a sense of care beyond the medicine we provide.
I would approach the employee immediately and keep the conversation focused on behavior. The fact that she's in the bathroom
is irrelevant. If she's using the cell phone in the bathroom you can't prove that, but you can prove that she is away from
her post. The truth is that she is away from her assigned position, not present on her job, and most likely not completing
all of her duties. These behaviors alone should be enough to take corrective action.
When you confront the employee, be prepared for the use of the restroom as a defense and use that opening to require her to
get a doctor's note that would justify the amount of time she takes for medical breaks. If this is a real medical issue, you
may consider reassigning job duties to match her new needs. —SHAWN
Shawn McVey, MA, MSW, is a member of the Firstline and Veterinary Economics editorial advisory boards and is CEO of McVey Management Solutions in Chicago. For videos and articles containing more of
McVey's tips and tricks on issues relating to veterinary personnel management, conflict, and communication, visit
http://dvm360.com/mcvey.
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