Workplace Violence. Demonstrations of temper that impact work Research Paper

Workplace Violence. Demonstrations of temper that impact work performance and general well-being within the hospital workplace - Research Paper Example Other members of the surgical team, primarily the scrub tech, was observably upset by the actions and lack of restraint shown by Dr. X in regard to his emotional state. Upon approaching the Director in regard to this behavior, it was revealed that this form of violence was common for Dr. X and the hospital has been allowing the behavior to continue without intervention. The Director made the comment â€Å"Oh, that is common behavior for Dr. X. We just ignore it and Dr. X will forget all about it by tomorrow†, which indicates that the issue is centered on how Dr. X feels about the event rather than on how the rest of the staff is affected by his actions. Purpose The purpose of this report is to explore the ways in which this type of incident can be avoided in the future, both in direct relation to Dr. X and in relation to the behaviors and reactions of the entire staff. Guidelines about what is and what is not permitted where behavior and emotions are concerned will help to out line how this type of incident can be avoided in the future.... The staff is affected by the impact of that unpredictability and has no stable ground on which to determine the appropriate procedures from which to continue working. As well, the intended target of the anger is left emotionally affected, thus their work can be undermined. The care of the patient is then compromised due to the shift in focus from the medical situation to self-protection in an environment that has become hostile. This puts the patient in harms way as their care is compromised and the outcome of their care is put into jeopardy. Additionally, the event of a medical instrument being thrown across a room has the potential of creating damage or injury, thus creating the potential for legal liability. The potential costs of a hostile work environment are relevant on many levels. The first potential cost can be financially crippling as litigation from an employee who has experienced an inappropriate event or series of events can sue the hospital for having had no prevention, response, or intercession between the employee and the doctor who has behaved in this manner. A hostile workplace can be defined as â€Å"Conduct that has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment† (Colaprete, 2007, p. 182). From the result of Harris v. Forklift Systems Inc, the decision that was made by the Supreme Court extended responsibility for actions that do not necessarily create psychological injury, but also to those events that are â€Å"severe or pervasive (enough) to alter the conditions of the victims employment and create an abusive work environment† (Colaprete, 2007, p. 182). It would be reasonable to assess the event in question as having the potential for