What health care can learn from “Me, too!” about unprofessional behaviors
“Me, too!” It has become the battle cry for those harmed by harassment in the workplace. While the movement emerged primarily in response to sexual harassment, it should send a loud and clear signal to all companies that their employees will not tolerate the same level of inappropriate, unprofessional behavior that they have in the past. Beyond sexual harassment, health care provider organizations have made clear in policy that unprofessional behaviors harm a safe, highly reliable work environment. But even with more structured policies, do harmful, inappropriate behaviors persist in practice? Both the “Me, too!” movement and the findings of a new study led by a Vanderbilt University professor suggest that smart organizations dedicated to safe care should re-double efforts to reduce inappropriate, harmful behaviors.