The buck stops at the top
I REFER to the reports on bullying and sexual harassment in hospitals in Sunday Star on July 29.
There should be zero tolerance for such behaviours at the workplace, where it is certainly not acceptable for the junior males to risk being bullied, or their female counterparts sexually harassed.
For sure, bullying is everywhere and will happen again and again, not just in hospitals, schools, the civil service but everywhere, where there is a “boss” over the junior.
It may be a problem seen in every society in the world. However, to say that it is a part of training, teaching or even toughening up is total nonsense. Rigorous training, whether in the military, sports or adventure, under the most severe conditions can still be kind and good, when the boss helps and assists you along, rather than torture you.
Like many, I had had a very fulfilling time in my decades within the Healthy Ministry, with very good bosses and understanding colleagues everywhere I served. There had always been harmony, friendship, and a family atmosphere. Some of my best friends until this day are my former colleagues. We had endless makan and parties over all the festivals celebrated by Malaysia, and we were invited to each other’s homes for various functions.
Now, I am proud to say that I, like many of my colleagues, had been good, if not great, bosses, helping our juniors beyond the call of duty, even after office hours.
Thus, in my opinion, bullying and harassment then, was very rare, though we had heard of consultants who would pinch, pull at the necktie, even throw scalpels, in anger or just teasingly at their “victims”. All of us worked very hard, and became friends as a result of sweating it out together, appreciating each other’s contributions and efforts.
One thing’s for sure, because most of my bosses were very nice, it helped me and my colleagues become “nice bosses” too. Nevertheless, if it is true that bullying and harassment is on the rise, something must be done.
As far as the workplace – in this case, the hospitals – is concerned, the buck must stop at the top, either the head of department or hospital director. It is their responsibility to ensure a healthy environment and warn all his or her staff that there is zero tolerance for bullying and sexual harassment.
The director and heads should be fully aware of what is happening in their hospital or department, and there is absolutely no excuse for them to say otherwise. If there is a severe case that ends up with death, for example, then the relevant chief is answerable. The first signs of any unacceptable behaviour must be addressed and stopped.
Of course, discipline and strict guidance is still vital for training juniors, and a reprimand or warning that is justified should not be considered bullying or harassment. There must be a system of monitoring, through an anonymous form of reporting, from any staff to pick up even the slightest or earliest hint of bullying or harassment. At weekly meetings, the boss must strongly remind new staff that there is zero tolerance for any form of bullying.
Slowly and surely, the department and hospital can become a zero bullying or harassment zone, or a “stress and fear-free working zone”.
After all, medical and health care is about caring, compassion and healing, and there is no room for disharmony, disgruntled staff, and fear. Every department should show great team work and effort, with nurturing by the bosses.
The last thing any patient wants is to be treated by a stressed, harassed and angry doctor, or a doctor with perverted intentions.
All the discussions and measures will be of no use if the boss does nothing to stop abuse, harassment and other forms of unhealthy practices in their midst. This “social disease” will spread like a cancer, and make a hospital an unhealthy and notorious environment for the staff and patients.