Have you ever been "caught in the middle"? / myLot

Walnut Creek, California

March 3, 2016 12:31pm CST

Have you ever been in a situation where you're being "damaged" by someone else's irresponsibility but can't get out of it? I have one kid client who often doesn't show up for our weekly meetings. I told the Case Manager about it (she doesn't work for our organization) and she asked me to "stick it out," as the kid client's mother just had a baby, and there's a lot going on in their family. I want to accomodate them, but I'm also judged in part by the number of "billable hours" I generate per week. We bill Medical for our services. I've been scrambling to find another kid to see on the days I'm "stood up," but my success rate is only about 50%. Have you ever been "caught in the middle" like that?

29 people like this

26 responses

Always smiling

@allknowing (153544)

• India

4 Mar 16

I know these two people but they are not ok with each other. I have a problem now. I am friends with both. Should I stay away from both or just choose one?

4 people like this

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Always smiling

@allknowing (153544)

• India

4 Mar 16

@TheHorse I am more comfortabae with one

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

Is one more in the "right" than the other?

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

@allknowing Hard to say, not knowing the situation. I tend to stay out of others' drama.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Mar 16

It's not really fair is it? It's not fair at all but I can see that it's difficult to do anything about. There needs to be a 'retainer' fee in place for hours where you attend but basically waste your time.

4 people like this

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The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

@JudyEv No, but the Company loses potential revenues.

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

I get paid my salary regardless of whether my clients show up. But I like to be above the requested "productivity levels" because it's good for the Company AND good for me (I get good reviews).

3 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Mar 16

@TheHorse I can understand that. i thought maybe you were losing money because of the absences.

2 people like this

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Patsie Hatley is Deceased

@Hatley (163772)

• Garden Grove, California

3 Mar 16

I was in a a way bit different than yours b ut I had to lie,or fudge or just plain t ell the trut h and possibly get the other person fired. WE had a new page who wanted to be a library clerk but she shunted most of her work off onto me My supervisor asked me why I wa not taking my lunch break as was it was half over and I told the truth . I said I had finished my work but the new page left her cart for me to finish thats why I am late to l unch. Se called t e new hire into her office closed the door and awhile later the new hire came into the lounge where i was eating my lunch and yelled at me for getting her fired. t told her she did it o herself as ifshe had vbeen d ng her work the manaer would have no reason to ask me about her.

4 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

3 Mar 16

I faced a situation kind of like that in Oakland. But they didn't really hire and fire based on qualifications or performance there, so it was extra difficult.

3 people like this

LK2018

@Letranknight2015 (52665)

• Philippines

3 Mar 16

I make sure i never get in the middle of the problem Im not experienced to.

4 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

In this case, there is no way to avoid it. But I spoke with my Supervisor today, and it will turn out OK.

1 person likes this

DianneN

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

3 Mar 16

That's a shame that you have to scramble to get work in that way. I had a salaried position, so never experienced that.

4 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

I get paid regardless. But I want my productivity to be high. Hours that I'm working but not seeing or talking to a client are not "billable."

2 people like this

Reine25

@Lucky15 (37391)

• Philippines

3 Mar 16

I am at the moment. And inknow i will be the one who will be blamed

4 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

What is the situation?

1 person likes this

marcyaz

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

3 Mar 16

Nope I haven't been caught in the middle of anything like this. Hope you find another kid to see on those days.

4 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

3 Mar 16

We're working on it. My Supervisor said I could see the kid now and then until the Summer, and then see if the scheduling conflicts are less of a problem. It means that some of the other kids I work with will get "extra time," so I can keep my billable hours up.

3 people like this

Dominique

@dodo19 (48119)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

3 Mar 16

I haven't been caught in the middle like that. I am sorry that you find yourself in this situation.

3 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

Thanks. It will turn out OK.

1 person likes this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

4 Mar 16

I've had several situations at work where I am asked to work with someone who doesn't do their job. So had to handle it. I can understand having an issue for a period of time but when it goes on too long I tend to say something.

2 people like this

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celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

4 Mar 16

@TheHorse ....I do know there is a great need for people like yourself. I hope it doesn't get to the point where it is too frustrating to handle.

1 person likes this

Yalul

@yalul070 (1712)

• Manila, Philippines

4 Mar 16

many times. I am the deputy head of my unit, so that means I am not the head. but everything that we do in the unit must be downloaded by her and must pass through her. many times I will raise concerns on some issues because I somehow know we'll fall short of what is expected from our unit. many times she doesn't listen. many times I'm right. but I have to accept whatever she says because I'm just her deputy.

2 people like this

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Yalul

@yalul070 (1712)

• Manila, Philippines

14 Sep 16

@TheHorse Yes it was. No, I am now the head of another unit. Now I make sure I don't pass that burden to my division chiefs by listening to them and explaining if I don't concur with their suggestions.

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Sep 16

That sounds like a REALLY frustrating situation. Are you still there?

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Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (54714)

• United States

3 Mar 16

I hate being caught in the middle. It is definitely a bad feeling.

3 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

In this job, it sometimes "comes with the territory."

1 person likes this

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

3 Mar 16

bless yer heart 'n that young'uns's well. i'm sure whate'er troubles brought 'em to ya prolly've gotten more intense with the new babe. i get caught'n the middle quite oft, though not's much's i used to. ya know, coz now i'm anti-social 'n rarely leave this place :D

3 people like this

James Higgins

@JamesHxstatic (29410)

• Eugene, Oregon

3 Mar 16

That is a difficult situation for you, I'm sure. I have never been in one like that.

4 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

It will work itself out. My Supervisor and I talked today about how to make it work.

2 people like this

Rebecca Huston

@Telynor (1763)

• United States

3 Mar 16

That really stinks. I can see how you're caught in the middle with that. Alas, we're caught in the world of the bean counters, who haven't a clue about how the world really works.

3 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

3 Mar 16

Yes, but of course the bean counters help me get paid. We're working toward a solution to this problem.

2 people like this

Judy Story

@jstory07 (148713)

• Roseburg, Oregon

4 Mar 16

You can not bill if they do not show up. You do not live for free.

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

I get paid regardless.

1 person likes this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111937)

• United States

3 Mar 16

No never.Hope you can get t his worked out there.

2 people like this

Janet Anderson

@Auntylou (4262)

• Oxford, England

4 Mar 16

This is a poor way to get paid. Suppose it is because insurance is involved. in the UK social workers are paid by the local government,regardless of how many clients they see

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

4 Mar 16

Oh, I'll get paid the same regardless of how many clients I see. But I'm judged in part by my "productivity"--how many client hours I turn in per week. I'll be OK because my productivity is good overall. But it's frustrating having a client who doesn't contribute to that productivity.

2 people like this

Janet Anderson

@Auntylou (4262)

• Oxford, England

4 Mar 16

@TheHorse Well I am glad about that, . Surely though your success rate should not be affected by no shows

1 person likes this