Sunday, September 1, 2024

Feeling Seen

Often, it is not until the life of a beloved family member is in the hands of healthcare workers that we come to truly appreciate medical staff and healthcare workers

Newsletters Ontario Healthcare

By Isaac Van Pelt, Representative Intern

My grandpa was recently placed in a hospital following a stroke and sudden diagnosis of dementia. He is peaceful in the day but a nightmare at night. Yet, even in his confusion, the nurses and PSWs come to his aid, administering medicine, patiently chatting with him, calming him down, and most importantly, dignifying him as a human being.

Our relatives may spend time in long term care, hospitals, and retirement homes as they advance in age. The truth is, we cannot always provide the level of care for our own family members that they need. Trained healthcare professionals take on the care in a loving, vocational way.

This is just one of the reasons that healthcare members deserve thanks. They make significant sacrifices to protect the vulnerable. They do self-sacrificial work, such as getting a violent resident to relax or risking sickness by treating certain patients. Yet often they still go unnoticed and underappreciated.

Working as an intern representative at CLAC, I have often heard from members that their managers and the families of residents or patients fail to show them respect or gratitude. They persevere through weeks of stressful work without receiving an ounce of appreciation.

During a recent bargaining committee meeting, one member said that all they wanted from negotiations was to be thanked by their employer, to be seen for their hard work. A steward told me that after a 60-hour week, where she took on responsibilities outside her job description, all she wanted was a thank you—a gesture she was not lucky enough to receive.

At another facility, an employee appreciation lunch was held. But it was the PSWs who ended up being tasked with serving food for residents and staff. The “appreciation day” became just another task to burden PSWs with.

But I’ve also heard hopeful accounts. I have seen how joyful healthcare members are when a resident thanks them for cleaning or serving them food or treating them with medications. When management or the union has hosted events and showed intentional gratitude to members, they feel seen. These triumphs in the workplace come from understanding, cooperation, and appreciation.

In bargaining, healthcare members are sometimes treated as economic units. In their grievances, they are sometimes treated as an inconvenience. And in their work, they are sometimes treated as automatons.

Just as they humanize their patients, we must humanize them. As human beings, we all deserve to be affirmed and seen by our employers and friends, especially when we do the work no one else dares to try.

So, to all our healthcare members, I want to express my gratitude and say thank you for your patience in caring for our family and friends—even when they have short tempers or act crass. At CLAC, we want this appreciation to be tangible. One way we did this was by holding barbecues throughout the summer where we brought members’ work community together by providing them with food, drink, and prizes. Another way we strive to show gratitude is by advocating for your work-life balance through bargaining and representation.

Work is meant to be dignifying and provide us with purpose. But we also must recognize the importance of enjoying the fruits of our labour and being appreciated. I hope that you find time to treat yourself as you treat your patients or residents. I hope that you feel seen for the important work that you do, day in and day out. You deserve it!

Feeling Seen

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