Christian Women in Leadership

have been down and out

today, I don't know what happened at work. I think that this introverted chick (me) had a "people overload." Or was it about other things, I can't even figure it out completely... I think it may qualify as a nervous breakdown.

Usu. I really love working Fridays, because the doctor there is very friendly and nice. Very easy going. (the last two Fridays, he has even bought us lunch for the entire office, since we didn't have drug lunches). However, this a.m., one of the other doctors, who I like the least, was there. He said he was "trying to get rid of his patients for the weekend" so the doctor on call wouldn't have to deal with them, or whatever.

First of all, I will back up a bit, I arrived at the office at quarter to 9. No one was there, so I had to wait outside, with several patients who were already lined up for the doctor. They start lining up half an hour before the office even starts to see Dr. V., like he's God or something.

About ten minutes later, another office employee arrives, Miriam, who is very nice and helpful, her husband was an M.D. before he died of cancer eight years ago. Also, the doctor that I do not like that much arrives. And one of the first thing he says to me, "Kathy's not here, can you make coffee?" when I have about one thousand things to do, like I said, the patients are already lined up at the door.

I think I would have been fine, this whole entire day, if the doctor that I didn't like hadn't shown up. Usu. I only have to deal with him for 3 hours on a Tuesday, so I can survive.

What really bugs me, was that Wednesday, I came into work, when I should have had a day off. Granted, I have worked this week Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, then Today, then I have to work 12 hours in the E.R. tomorrow.

And Wednesday, when I came in to work, it is the doctor that I don't like who is there having office hours, AND he sexually harassed me with his comments.

The sad thing is that, he doesn't even realize how out-of-line his is. It's like he is socially inept, or something--he doesn't realize that there are certain things you shouldn't say to female employees. I mean, I do think he is a good doctor and all, he just has a really big mouth, and he doesn't stop to think, "Maybe I shouldn't say such and such," instead he just says it without thinking first.

He said about how I am invited over to his house to his pool, but I have to wear a two piece swimsuit.

Anyone who reads this probably thinks that it's a tame comment, but the problem is that it is not the first time that he has said this. And he keeps driving home this issue to the point that I feel it is sexual harassment. AND he's totally clueless that he shouldn't be speaking this way to female employees. I mean, if I was at a bar, and some guy said that to me, I would just be like "whatever" but because this man is my boss, I don't think that he should be heckling me over my body. (Not that I go to bars. for precisely that reason.)

I mean, the first time he mentioned this thing--of being invited over to his pool but I have to wear a two-piece--it didn't really bother me. But the fact that he brought it up a second time, and made such a big deal over it, so that the entire office heard his joke, bugged me.

If anyone has any advice of what I should do, I would appreciate it. I just don't know how to deal with this doc because he is totally clueless that anything he says hurts feelings.

posted by the princess @ 7/01/2005 07:16:00 PM