Not sure where this falls, just came across some info and gathering info on the best way to handle it.
I live and work in CA. I work for a large (15 Dr.'s) specialized medical practice. Been there 2.5 years. 1 of the Dr's was my surgeon 13 years ago, so also a long time patient. I've felt intimidation from my supervisor, negativty, my pto requests get 'misplaced', last year I was involved in a domestic violence situation that hit a peak, caused me to need 4 days off emergency, move, get a restraining order ect. That was the end if that, when he got out of jail he moved an hour away and on with his life as had I, so no workplace involvement. After my 4 days off I was welcomed back with a write up regarding a complaint my supervisor said a pt made months earlier (company rules say they can hold info for up to a year on a write up and it sits on your record for a year). As well I was transferred to another position under what they called 'cross training' this last 2 weeks till the girl taking over my position walked out on day 2. This all occurred Nov. 2012. The last year has been full of accusation, calls to the office manager at my location asking if I'm in company approved scribe (I only own approved scrub colors and designs, where favored employees are not under this scrutiny). I get it, 150 employees, 2 are men, its a catty gossipfest. Once a week you see good employees fired due to not being in the 'in' crowd. Here's my current issue today. I'm having surgery, a very personal surgery which I scheduled 3 months ago as I needed time to come to terms with it, its medically needed. No one knows, other than 2 friends and 3 family members. My surgery is Tuesday. I put in a request for 2 weeks off almost 3 months ago. It was ignored, while I watched co workers get approved over and over. Pto is put in thru our time card online program, supervisors get a pop up window each pay period when approving that employees time card of a pending request, 2 months, nothing. Its finally brought to admin attention I won't be there, very few co workers can cover my job. They are scrambling and I'm sure my supervisor had a good talk about this by her superiors, though I doubt it since all of admin is appointed from within and a buddy buddy cliche, I don't feel our in house HR rep has our best interest, just the companies. The other day I call a co worker and friend to inquire about a pt. During the convo she says 'why are you having surgery, and why didn't you tell me?' I was taken back. I didn't tell anyone its kinda personal. I ask how she heard.....oh M asked me about it. M???? A co worker I don't know and works in an office 20 miles from mine? At my pre op appt, the medical assistant to my Dr (and co worker) says 'hey I dont want you thinking I said anything, I've had XXXXX ask me about why you were having surgery.....what???? I'm the talk of the office???? Only reason I can think that these co workers and medical assistants would know who to ask is they had to access my chart to see which of the 15 Dr's I see, so they know which MA to ask (each Dr has their own MA). In my inquiry how my surgery got out, I was told my supervisor, an RN and administrator told M I was having surgery. I guess my supervisor was looking for coverage while I was out. I understand that working in office where my surgeon is employed, has risk. But I'd like to have shared this situation at my pace and chosen who and when. Yes it would've gotten out. Employee or not, I'm a pt and my supervisor had no business telling a co worker (who leaves for maternity leave at the same time as my surgery) and has no role in my medical care, that I'm having surgery. I love my job, I have a comment box filled with positive praise which my supervisor picks up and tosses. She kept 1 comment card in my file and it was written by M my co worker pretending to be a pt, making a complaint due to feeling I would excel or take focus off her as I too have a strong work ethic. M and I were promoted to the same position in 2 different locations. I'm confident thay when I bring this out, a lot of issues will arise, with drs, admin and co workers. The drs run a 5 min a pt 8 hour day, they have an administrative team so they aren't involved in the mass amount of employees and pts issues (we see over 400 pts a day with all services offered). Now we do have a board, made up of a few of the drs. Protocol with issues is go to your supervisor first, that's out, next HR, oh yes someone employed by my supervisor and would like to keep her job so her interest is company protection not employee. Then we go to head of admin....the leader of the cliche. Finally the board president, a Dr. Coincidentally my surgeon/Dr's right hand...I want to go straight to the Dr (board president) as she controls admin in the end. But I know she will feel bothered and overwhelmed dealing with this. Is there anything to deal with? I feel my supervisor broke HIPPA, by telling M I was having surgery, causing her to ask around why, bringing others to do the same. I'm thinking of emailing the board president and CC'ing head of admin and HR. I know I will loose my job over this. Of course my termination will be for something else unrelated to this situation. Funny how I know any extended pto requests are met with write ups (only time I've been written up was last year and now this). My supervisor seems to misplace orders I need filled, Pto requests, calling others regarding my attire, she's on a witch hunt, I'm not the only one in her sights, either your in her cliche or your not. I can't prove or fight this petty stuff, I love my job, I'm at a location I only see my supervisor every 3 months. I drive 2 hours each way in rush hour, $800/month in gas, don't call out and never late. I'm not a problem employee, just not in the popular group.

