Incompetence in the workplace.

Let me first preface this entry be saying: For those of you who read my blog and (have) work(ed) with me, please don't think this entry pertains to you. If you finish reading this blog and STILL think this entry pertains to you, it probably does.

In my line of work (troubled youth), one of the biggest keys to success on a daily basis is consistency. Within the first 0-3 months, you learn this firsthand. Usually because you've made a mistake or bad judgement call or the like. For the record, everyone in my line of work makes mistakes, including (believe it or not), me. Occasionally. Actually, on a scale of 1-10; 1 being (insert tired George Bush joke here) and 10 being Jesus, I'm about a 9.87. Awesome, but not quite my Saviour.

With that said, there are certain parameters put in place to ensure that, for the most part, staff maintain a consistent environment for youth who crumble in chaos. For example, we have what is called the Policy Manual in which basic policies for handling youth are outlined in point form so even 'I Am Sam' could understand them. Also, every two weeks, our team gets together to discuss the youth (how they've been behaving, new treatment plans/goals). During these Team Meetings, we often discuss and make agreements as to how we are going to deal with certain youth. For example; whether or not a youth can take the bus to school or whether or not a youth needs to be kept close for a period of time due to various safety concerns.

What bothers me the most is when I come into my set of shifts and kids immediately begin asking me if they can do special things (visit friends/go to the library). Normally, the answer to these questions is based on a number of variables; How has the youth's behaviour been? Can the youth be trusted in the community? How often has the youth gone on these "individual activities" in the last few weeks? However, while I was gone, weaker staff, more interested in getting the youth out of the house or appeasing the youth so they don't have to deal with any issues, have been allowing youth to do these kinds of activities regardless of their behaviour or of prior guidelines set previously in a Team Meeting. So, when I tell a youth they can't go to the library, it immediately becomes an issue and an argument that I have to deal with, trying to explain to the youth how their behaviours in the unit affect real life. When they respond with "well Crappy McStafferstein lets me do this all the time", you have no real leverage anymore and you become the bad guy establishing a conflictual relationship with the youth.

If you are this type of person (whether it be in my line of work or anyone's line of work), SCREW OFF, ASS. Everyone but you knows you blow at your job. If you no longer work with me, good riddance, douche bag.