Question:
Dear Donna,
I am a RN hospital case manager. After a horrible review, I found out that I had the same review as a peer. Many things said to me and her were very untrue. One of those things was that I didn't speak to other nurses, doctors, or therapists. When I asked for proof of this, I was not presented with any. I wrote a rebuttal on my evaluation, but neither my boss nor HR responded. What recourse, if any, do I have to get my evaluation corrected? Isn't it true that a person’s boss is usually believed before the employee, whether it is true?
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Confused,
I consulted a human resources expert on this one, and here's what he had to say:
"The nurse did the right thing by writing a rebuttal on the evaluation. I suggest that the nurse contact both HR and her boss to request a response to the written rebuttal.
"The nurse could have basis for a formal complaint if he or she has proof that statements made on the evaluation are untrue. The nurse should check with human resources for information regarding the organization's complaint procedure. As in everything, employees should keep good documentation of all interactions for their own records.
"Beyond that, there is not much more to be done. The nurse should seek legal counsel if there is a feeling that he or she has been the victim of discrimination or an illegal labor practice."
Dear Donna,
I am a RN hospital case manager. After a horrible review, I found out that I had the same review as a peer. Many things said to me and her were very untrue. One of those things was that I didn't speak to other nurses, doctors, or therapists. When I asked for proof of this, I was not presented with any. I wrote a rebuttal on my evaluation, but neither my boss nor HR responded. What recourse, if any, do I have to get my evaluation corrected? Isn't it true that a person’s boss is usually believed before the employee, whether it is true?
Confused
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Confused,
I consulted a human resources expert on this one, and here's what he had to say:
"The nurse did the right thing by writing a rebuttal on the evaluation. I suggest that the nurse contact both HR and her boss to request a response to the written rebuttal.
"The nurse could have basis for a formal complaint if he or she has proof that statements made on the evaluation are untrue. The nurse should check with human resources for information regarding the organization's complaint procedure. As in everything, employees should keep good documentation of all interactions for their own records.
"Beyond that, there is not much more to be done. The nurse should seek legal counsel if there is a feeling that he or she has been the victim of discrimination or an illegal labor practice."
Best wishes,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of “Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional” and “The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career.” Information about the books is available at www.Nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.Nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.Nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call 800-866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
