Remove Rated R and Rated X Programs From Your EMS Station ?

[whit72]

Walrus wrote:

I am sure you would rather a few guys (and women) laughing

and joking around in a little immature way in your station that the above stated

where all you can do is watch Barney, sing Kumbaya, and discuss Dr.Phil episodes.... We should have the right to do what works in our station....not worry about some whiner that is gonna try to sue the company.

A little immature way..........

Joking and practical jokes is one thing.........Dry humping your gay partner is another. But hey I may be the exception to the rule.

If you haven't been sued yet, I'm sure its just around the corner. If not jail time.

Anyway good luck.......You might ned it down the road.

[GAmedic1506]

Boy you guys jump to the wildest conclusions. Our department has yearly legal updates where lawyers discuss a variety of topics, so yes, I use the opportunity to pick their brains when they are here. I do not have a hidden agenda, I do not have an ax to grind, I love the EMS industry and my job, and I have been married to my wife for 20 years so I am not living the gay lifestyle to well -- although I realize that if I did turn gay, I might double my wardrobe, so who knows what the future holds.

I am not any happier about this than you are, and I wish we didnt live in such a letigous society, but we do. And yes, I hate to tell you that if you are cursing at your partner, or calling him gay or ugly every day, you can be accused of creating a hostile work environment, if he ever tires of your comments. That is the problem with all of this, people say they are OK with whatever the behavior is, and then change their mind so that they can make the $$$$$.

One of our local Fire Departments is currently settling a lawsuit secondary to the hazing rituals they put the rookie through - That case was same as what I warned about earlier. He was a sorry firefighter, they terminated him during his probationary period, and then suddenly he had been harassed. He didnt go through 1/10th the harassment I went through as a rookie, but the County lost the suit. Imagine having your hazing rituals as front-page and 6pm newscast headlines every day/night for a week.

Dont blame me, I am just the messenger, hate the lawyers. And just because I have made you aware of the potential lawsuit, doesnt mean you have to change a thing in your station. Please feel free to watch porn, play grab-ass, insult your partners all you want. Just don't be shocked when your Chief comes to you and says this has to end.

[metro39]

I hear a lot of medics whine about not being recognized as professionals, merely as "ambulance drivers. professionalism is not just a word, it is a state of mind. Professional is about creating an image.

If a person wishes to watch porn hard or soft, it is their right to do so, but I don't feel that that "right" extends into the work place. It is not appropriate in ANY workplace. That being said, the issue of "R" rated material is harder to define. Disclaimers are run throughout the TV movies here where I live, sometimes to the point of annoyance, under our laws if one person finds the activity offensive, then the activity must stop. There is no discussion as to a persons "right" to watch it.

Ladies and gentlemen, leave the porn at home, watch your action movies based on your own good common sense and the law of the land.

Personally, most of the medics where I am don't have time to watch much t.v. while at work.

It's all about respect

[hfdff422]

Here's how life should be. Respect other people, but expect respect in return.

If a movie is intended primarily for sexual excitement, it is not something that should be in a professional environment. But as for the Band of Brothers DVD- there is a sex scene in that, but not so inappropriate that it would be an unacceptable after business hours movie. It all should come down to a consensus among adults. This is not a business for children or people who cannot speak their minds or respect those that do. There should be no problem finding a common ground on what is acceptable for the group.

As for respect, infringing on someones right to be free of something they deem to be inappropriate is just as unacceptable as someone infringing on another persons rights to take part in an activity or entertainment that a consensus would agree is reasonable. We all have different standards as to what we feel is offensive, funny, appropriate, etc. and that means that there must be some give and take.

Our behavior with our coworkers should be different when we are out of the public eye, or else there would be no sense of bonding. Being only professional with people you depend on to save your life is not a good plan. In public, you follow the employee handbook to a T, with noone else around, you can decide between yourselves. As for dry humping your partner- well, I guess as long as it stays between you and your friends- knock yourself out. And the TV, computer, video game, stereo, whatever, goes off when someone who is not from that station enters the station- this is called professionalism.

[metro39]

Walrus, I think it is about time you reassessed your definition of harmless.

If women called my wife claiming to be prostitutes I doubt very much if I or she would see any humour in that.

If you worked for my service, you would not last long, your "practical jokes" and unprofessional behaviour would doom your career within weeks.

This job is for serious professionals who respect their co-workers, you do not strike me as that type of person.

I and my colleagues have a lot of fun on the job, none of it could ever be construed as mean spirited, bullying or in bad taste.

This is the impression I received from reading your messages, this is not meant to belittle you it is simply the message you are sending out.

[GAmedic1506]

Thank you METRO39 -- I have taken quite a beating over this subject, and was shocked that people saw this as such a foreign concept.

[Just Plain Ruff]

Walrus I too am surprised at your bragging about your hi-jinks.

I can tell you if you put vaseline on my toilet seat or had women call my wife claiming they were hookers, I'd have you written up in a heartbeat and file a grievance against you. Those actions are immature and totally uncalled for.

I can relate one experience I had as an emt. I was given a coke with 240 milligrams of lasix in it. I didn't realize why it tasted so bad but I attributed it to the ice in the cup.

I pee'd and pee'd all day and ended up having to return to the station due to feeling so terrible. Next thing I know I'm being transported emergent to the ER for being unresponsive. My electrolytes were on the critical low, my heart rate rhythm were on the critically unstable side. I spent 2 days in the ICU of the hospital and then 3 more days in the general med floor. Needless to say the medic who put the drug in my drink was terminated and lost his license. Pranks are fun sometimes but they have real critical life implications.

So when people talk about how cool it is to pull pranks on others I cringe when I hear them.

You sir need to reevaluate your activity you call fun.

[ncmedic309]

I can relate one experience I had as an emt. I was given a coke with 240 milligrams of lasix in it. I didn't realize why it tasted so bad but I attributed it to the ice in the cup.

I pee'd and pee'd all day and ended up having to return to the station due to feeling so terrible. Next thing I know I'm being transported emergent to the ER for being unresponsive. My electrolytes were on the critical low, my heart rate rhythm were on the critically unstable side. I spent 2 days in the ICU of the hospital and then 3 more days in the general med floor.

240mg?!?!?! Damn! That's a great example of why you should NOT pull pranks on your co-workers!

[Ace844]

That's just wrong, best way to deal with that medic.... Give him a single dose of 300mg's Succs in the R buttock and stand back and let him stew for about 5 mins... :twisted: :twisted: :evil: :x :twisted: see how he likes that as a practical joke :roll:

[Walrus]

The lasix thing was not cool by any means.. Just FYI My partner is my best Friend and he is married to my sister. he had been my best friends since the 5th grade. the calls to his wife (my sister) was in retaliation of him sending out wedding invitations to my friends and co workers for the wedding of myself and Richard Simmons.. It was a personal ball busting this..I do not do this to everyone I work with.. All I was saying was people should be able to have fun and watch lethal weapon movies without fear of legal reprecussuions of someone that is not even involved.

Walrus

p.s. he has since got me back for the phone calls.