Tag Archives: workplace dynamics

My one year anniversary as a schedule generator

Posted in All in a days work by

I took over making the work roster from my colleague out of camaraderie. The previous MO who did the list was a lovely colleague whom I knew had been taking the punches for everybody for the many years I have known her at work. I believe that the moment she approached me to take over, she was already at wit’s end. At the same time, I think she knew that I was a person who could accommodate everybody else as much as she did to ensure that both clinical services and each medical officer’s personal matters were taken care of.

To become a roster maker, you could choose to be empathetic or a bitch who doesn’t give a shit. Since I started arranging the schedule last October, I’ve found that my colleagues are rather colourful behind the scenes. They are a mix of positive and negative traits but never too evil or goody-two-shoes all the time. They can be mischievous, and at times, when I am able to see through them, I would let them off the hook if it is not much of a nuisance. Otherwise, most of the time, my superior would sniff it out based on the whistleblower’s information. Yes, we do have a mole amongst us.

Anyway, back to my colourful MOs. There are the:

  • ones who think the world revolves around them ONLY. The schedule has to fit them and their priorities ONLY. There is very little room for discussion and negotiate the demands of clinical work and other MOs. Dia je yg nak gi CME. Dia je yang nak itu dan ini. Time kita bagi, tetiba ada hal tu la, ini la. Bila tak dapat, mesej bos. what the fish.
  • ones who have requests but are also accommodating of other people’s needs. Meaning, they provide back up plans with other negotiable dates, with clear objectives that allow me to provide my ideas of how to make the line up for work effective for everybody. I like this type of people. They are assertive in their scheduled and others.
  • ones who go with the flow. While it may seem easy for me to place them anywhere, it does put me in a spot where I need to practice conscientiousness on my part. This is because I do not want to exploit this particular group of MOs. I do not want them to be burnt out. In fact, I would put this people on my watch list. Because they can either remain docile, turn rogue in a jiff or commit suicide. I am putting myself on this list as well.

To celebrate my one year anniversary, I will order an iced coffee today. Ha ha.

A close-up of a keyboard with scattered papers and folders on a desk, featuring a note about a millennial's approach to managing work rosters.

6-year itch?

Posted in All in a days work by

The longest time I have stayed at one workplace is 6 years. That was a district hospital setting. I was beginning to feel the itch 5 years in, instead of the infamous 7-year itch. Simply because I was beginning to see more of my great colleagues leaving one by one. Most left for private practice. If I had not given birth to my daughter, I think I would still be there to continue serving the district.

However, I, too, left due to family commitment. My family was growing, and my husband’s career was already finding its footing in Public Health. Since anaesthesia was no longer an option for me, we felt that serving in a clinic setting would be more practical. Hence, I took the plunge and began my journey in Klinik Kesihatan (KK).

I served 3 years in my first KK. In my second and current KK, it is approaching 6 years, and I am already feeling the itch. Every year, we have medical officers coming and leaving. Sadly, those who left surpass those who came. Some chased dreams. Some had to fulfil work obligations. With each person, they bring in skills and experience from their life. And left with hopefully good memories of our workplace. It is hard to ignore this itch, as I felt that it has started to affect my ‘jiwa’ for this line of duty. A dedicated healthcare worker needs to be passionate and knowledgeable in their work. I don’t even have the urge to keep up with the latest guidelines and clinical management of diseases.

Recently, we had a farewell and Eid celebration at the clinic. Two pensioners and a few transfers. I have to say that it is too early in the year to have so many staff reshuffled and moving away. The workplace dynamics have certainly shifted, and the tension is palpable. Office politics are inevitable as work must go on. I mean, I make the roster for the medical officers. Honestly, I feel sorry for my friends because on most days, we are always short on people. Sometimes I wish that instead of the minimum 3 or 4 people we have in each zone, we could have at least 5 or 6 people to support the team. This is not always feasible as we have courses, special clinics and people on leave.

This 6-year itch has become increasingly noticeable and annoying. Will I make it to 8 or will I succumb to the 7 year itch?