Author Topic: I hate my job at the lab. (Read 6273 times)

Peacock · « **on:** February 14, 2009, 02:16:32 pm »

The women I work with are driving me mad. I work in a pathology lab with people who you would expect may have a decent knowledge of HIV. (nursing sisters and admin clerks).
But I keep hearing really stupid comments, like: ''Children born with HIV only live four years then die a horrible death, so Hiv + people should be Sterialised.'' ''ARV's are extreemly toxic to the liver and if I were to be disgnosed with Hiv I would kill myself''...
The people who make these comments are mostly smokers who fill their lungs with nicotine at every opportunity..so it really pisses me off that they are under the impression that they are going to out live me. I may live another 20 years and enjoy my life because every year is a goal post achieved. But these women I work with hate their lives, bitch ALL day about how awful life is, and fill their lungs with smoke.
If one of them were to be diagnosed with lung cancer in several years time- get chemo, perhaps even Osteoperosis as a result of the longterm chemo, and then die...just how much better was their life compared to mine?
what do you guys think about me scraping up some really useful info (using the lessons from
Aidsmeds) and of course the great testimonials of the long term survivors, and doing a presentation for the staff I work with? Im sick and tired of the stupid ignorant comments, and starting to hate my job.

Ann · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:24:25 pm »

Peacock,

That is an excellent idea! The only way to stop the ignorance is through knowledge. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Ann

HIVworker · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:29:33 pm »

That's too bad. If it is worth anything, I have worked in labs in basic research over the years and heard people say some really ignorant things too about HIV. Mainly about not taking meds because if it were them and it would save their life they would. So I printed out a story from here about why one might want to stop taking meds.

But I don't think there is a one-size-fits all solution. You know these people better than anyone. If they hate their lives are they going to respond in a positive way? I take it that you haven't told them of your status, would this reveal it to them? I think it is on all of us to educate people but tread carefullly so I do encourge that. Maybe a quiet word of advice from HR or your supervisor?

R

Peter Staley · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2009, 05:24:35 pm »

Have you told them you are HIV+? I've found that usually educates the ignorant quicker than any literature.

Ann · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2009, 07:01:45 pm »

Quote from: Peter Staley on February 14, 2009, 05:24:35 pm

Have you told them you are HIV+? I've found that usually educates the ignorant quicker than any literature.

Hmm... but I wonder, does that educate them, or just shut them up and/or make them titter over the same ignorant comments when you're not in the room?

If you're not already out to your colleagues, you can still do an informative talk on hiv without disclosing your own status. If asked how you know so much, simply tell them you've done the research. They don't have to know the research involved field work.

I still think it's a great idea. Good luck with it! We're here to help if you want it.

Ann

minismom · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2009, 10:20:59 pm »

My daughter was born HIV+, will be 9 in August and joyfully will outlive most of us here. Granted, the first couple of years were rough and she took AZT before her first bottle. But, good grief, she's not only alive, she truly LIVES.

I agree with Ann - flood the office with information. Educate them as much as possible. It's the only way hearts and minds will ever have a chance of changing.

Mum

alberche · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2009, 02:05:06 am »

I suscribe 100% what Ann says. One never knows what will be the reaction of that kind of people. If i was a lab worker, I would have curiosity at least to know a bit more about the health problems I deal with, even if inside a lab you have no direct contact with "patients".

But this kind of "proudness" much people shows about their own ignorance could be dangerous for you, after all, that is your workplace, so I think, it is better to be careful.

On the other hand, providing them with information or suggesting them to attend some speechs in NGO's or at any other activity related to people living with HIV reality, could be helpful.

This is true that most people has no information... OK, but it is also true that most people does not want to be better informed. They prefer to ignore the reality affecting other persons just because they, in the end, don't want to take a look to their own's. This also affect healthcare personnel dealing with people living with HIV.

Life can be as funny as that ;-)

blondbeauty · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2009, 11:49:20 am »

That is because you do not work at transcience corpotation´s labs. They are happy raising sea monkeys and they can´t comment because they are under water.

skeptik73 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2009, 12:08:53 pm »

Believe what they say about themselves. Laugh at them with your inside voice. Picture them on judgement day. Don't lift a damn finger for them. You will probably regret it.

Try not to lump them all together in same boat though. Look for actual signs of life. Keep hoping.

Ann · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:15:43 pm »

Quote from: skeptik73 on February 16, 2009, 12:08:53 pm

Don't lift a damn finger for them. You will probably regret it.

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing! (Edmund Burke)

We are ALL going to continue to face ignorance, stigma and descrimination until people finally become informed about hiv. AND we'll all regret it at some point in our lives if people don't start becoming better informed and less ingnorant PDQ.

Ann

skeptik73 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2009, 02:38:04 pm »

I appreciate your point of view, Ann. I wish I could justify the faith (in Peacock's coworkers) that you profess, but I disagree.

Sometimes doing nothing is doing something. Sometimes we have to pick and choose our battles. Sometimes I'd rather laugh at their sorry asses.

Educating people does not always bring about the change we expect it to.

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2009, 07:56:57 pm »

Quote from: Ann on February 16, 2009, 01:15:43 pm

PDQ.

what's PDQ ?

Ann · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:09:29 pm »

Quote from: allopathicholistic on February 16, 2009, 07:56:57 pm

what's PDQ ?

Pretty Damn Quick.

Ann · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:26:27 pm »

Skeptic,

I live on an island called the Isle of Man. Homosexuality was a criminal offence here until the early 1990s, so that should give you some idea of how socially conservative this place is.

I'm out with my status and a few other positive people I know here are too. We don't have any problems. Sure, maybe there was whispering for a time in the early days of us being out, but no more. People have become informed through living cheek-by-jowl with us. I've also been interviewed by a British celebrity for the BBC, as well as being out in my immediate community (including being interviewed on Manx Radio). (and on an island with a population of around 70,000, believe me, the "seven degrees of separation" concept is more like one degree of separation)

Just so you know I don't just talk about educating others I live and work with, I don't just urge others to do it, I do it myself and I'm here, unscathed, to tell the story. The more we hide, the more we have to hide.

Ann

LTSurviver · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2009, 09:29:41 pm »

Quote from: Ann on February 16, 2009, 01:15:43 pm

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing! (Edmund Burke)

We are ALL going to continue to face ignorance, stigma and descrimination until people finally become informed about hiv. AND we'll all regret it at some point in our lives if people don't start becoming better informed and less ingnorant PDQ.

Ann

I would agree with you, however these people aren't evil and aren't triumphing. They are willfully ignorant idiots.

Come on. They work in the medical field. Of all people... they should know better. If they do not know it is because they choose not to know or do know and choose to believe differently. Either way, for him to "set them straight" would more than likely alienate them and create a divide in the workplace.

At best what he can do is let his boss know what's going on anonymously, or face to face. Then maybe the workplace can better educate their medical employees.

YaKaMein · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2009, 11:50:47 pm »

Peacock does not have to disclose his HIV status to coworkers to educate them. There are other options.

Peacock can meet privately with the HR manager and express concerns about behaviors by the coworkers.
He can suggest that HIV education is needed in the work place as suggested by the American Disabilities Act of 1990.

He can reveal that he has knowledge that a "worker" who has a + status. He does not have to disclose his status to HR. If he does, HR cannot disclose his status by law.

There will be plenty of ignorant health care workers. If he's not ready to take them on, he doesn't have to.

tendai · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2009, 02:29:02 am »

yeah, kind of have a general workshop about HIV to educate everyone in the company at the same time, so that it doesnt draw attention to you if you dont want it..

Ann · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:50:55 am »

Quote from: YaKaMein on February 16, 2009, 11:50:47 pm

He can suggest that HIV education is needed in the work place as suggested by the American Disabilities Act of 1990.

Peacock lives in South Africa (and yes he has posted this information on these forums).

Quote from: LTSurviver on February 16, 2009, 09:29:41 pm

Come on. They work in the medical field. Of all people... they should know better. If they do not know it is because they choose not to know or do know and choose to believe differently. Either way, for him to "set them straight" would more than likely alienate them and create a divide in the workplace.

There is a surprising amount of ignorance even in the medical professions. Hiv is considered by many to be a specialist field and one they often don't receive training in as a matter of course. Sad, but true.

Education is the way forward. Whether Peacock opts to do this himself or enlists his employers assitance, education is what is needed. If we don't care enough to put the wheels of change and education in motion, then we can't really complain about the ignorance that still exists. People who believe they're unaffected by hiv aren't going to be bothered to see that this is done, are they. It's up to us, whether we like it or not.

Ann

YaKaMein · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2009, 06:45:07 pm »

My sincere apologies to Peacock!! My US-centric skirt [and MY ignorance] was showing.

Cliff · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:31:55 am »

If you go the full presentation route, I would make sure you have HR's or your manager's approval first! Having an informal discussion about HIV is one thing, doing a presentation to employees (almost in a formal capacity) is another. You want to have your ducks in a row, just in case one of them complains to HR!

dixieman · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2009, 10:27:52 am »

I would just tend to my own buisness and let it go... ignore them... you'll have the last laugh...best of luck!

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Author Topic: I hate my job at the lab. (Read 6273 times)

tendai