EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Sleazy ebme depts

Answer:- assuming that we're talking about Britain ... it is a selfish, greedy society, where much emphasis seems to be placed upon the daily doings of so-called "celebrities". Decent role models don't get much of a press, unfortunately. And Goodness knows we badly need them!

British society wants for nothing, in real terms (water comes out the taps, power comes out the sockets etc.), and yet we still have in our midst mindless morons who go around stabbing people to death in the streets. Why is that? Because (apparently) they want "respect". Could it really be due to lack of National Dried Milk and Concentrated Orange Juice? No, it's due to the lack of decent role models (usually father figures in this case). Or, if you like, the absence of love!

It is also (by and large) a morally corrupt society, which is a great shame as it once was (and should still have been now) one of the best countries in the world. These days we don't have spouses, we have "partners" (there are may other sordid examples). Regrettably, so much damage has been inflicted upon (what once were) our core values, that I cannot see a recovery during my lifetime (even if the "rot" was magically reversed starting today).

No, it isn't buildings per se that cause "sleaze", it is corruption (in all its guises). And every time any of us turns a blind eye to it, we simply add to the weight of the problem.

Perhaps you're right Chris. Just imagine the outcome if you put pigs into the best suite in the Ritz! Remember "Animal Farm"?

Surely, if you take this analogy to the workspace, if you give staff better quality working conditions then they will tend to take more pride in their area.

So with that in mind, poor working conditions must be a contributory factor to sleaze in the workspace....

Yes, it's always nice to work in bright, cheerful (warm, dry, quiet etc.) surroundings. But, as I've already said, people of quality tend to rise above all that, and "produce the goods" anyhow.

Meanwhile, can someone please define "sleaze"? To me it means "corruption" (and I doubt that any amount of fresh paint and posters on the wall will overcome that).

To return to JS's original post, I would suggest more of an emphasis on addressing adequate tools, test equipment, service consumables and an efficient process for obtaining spare parts!

One problem with associating conditions to say crime and sleaze was that it was too simple a concept. As mentioned in the wikipedia article after the Department of Housing and Urban Development program had moved tenants in poorer area's to better areas crime was re-analysed and surprise all that had happened was that the crime followed the tenants.

One problem with the student analogy is that students in general are untidy so poor conditions in student accommodation would probably encourage them to be more untidy. As Geoff mentioned EBME staff should be more professional and rise above all that so I doubt sleazy conditions would be a factor to sleaze in the workforce.

I also think "sleaze" should be defined since to me sleaze in the workforce is more a kin to say, the porter who looks up a patients telephone number for a date from their patient notes or a doctor who makes unwanted advances to a patient.

Addressing adequate tools, test equipment etc is more to do with service quality than sleaze.

That is why I raised the question back on page 1 of this forum:



I do not think it is the correct word - but hey interesting debate.

Restricting my comments to NHS biomed sheds (where I used to take agency bookings from time to time):-

1) I was once the only biomed in a hospital that claimed 800 beds. Yes, as an agency tech who could "walk" at any time (poor working practice)!

2) I have worked at more than a few where the techs were grossly, and openly, "disloyal" to their manager (lack of respect).

3) I have also worked at a few were it seemed that almost all the techs were "at each others' throats" for most of the time (poor working atmosphere).

4) All bar one had no decent system of parts stock control (poor working practice, lack of investment).

5) One or two had "shoddy dilapidated facilities", but most did not (including the ones with the "problems" - that's part of the reason that I tend to dismiss the hypothesis).

6) All except one had an inappropriate database system (often forced upon them from "above").

7) One was over four years behind with its PM work (not good for morale)!

8) Three that I recall were very hot during the summer!

9) Only two had no windows!

10) At one we "shared" a "workshop" (we were allocated space) with the equipment receiving stores (handily located near to the loading dock) (yes, inadequate and inappropriate work space).

11) At least half of them had the workshop outside of the main hospital building (some by 500 yards or more). One was actually on the other side of a road (yes, with traffic passing by). Great for getting the kit "road tested" (not to mention wet).

12) Most were actually unsafe in one regard or other (eg, blokes working on lathes as others pushed by ... to get their bikes before going home, etc.).

13) One was especially pleasant when the standby generator (handily located right next door) was fired up every fortnight (and it went on all morning)!

14) One was way too small for the three techs working there (it was also one of those without windows). But don't worry, because (despite having been built only in the 1970's) that building has now been pulled down!

Hi Geoff

As a matter of interest which decade is the majority of your list drawn?

Ed

The title of the presentation is " Avoiding sleaze in the workplace". (Given to me, not my choice of title)

I looked it up and came up with a host of definitions:
Sleaze/Sleazy [Slang]
Contemptible or vulgar person.
Shabby or slovenly person.
Sleazy quality, character, or atmosphere; shoddiness; vulgarity.
Sleazy behaviour, content, appearance, or the like.
Carelessly made of inferior materials : shoddy
Marked by low character or quality <sleazy tabloids>
squalid, dilapidated
Shabby, dirty, vulgar, tawdry: "sleazy storefronts with torn industrial carpeting and dirt on the walls" Seattle Weekly.
Dishonest or corrupt; disreputable: Some sleazy characters hang around casinos.
Made of low-quality materials; cheap or shoddy.

I agree that a good biomed can work out of the boot of his car and offer a good service.

I also believe that if you want to offer a quality service you need staff to feel appreciated, have the right tools, test equipment, and an adequate facility to work in. A good facility improves productivity and morale.

Geoff said:
I still think Britain is one of the least corrupt counties in the world - Geoff, you have worked in the middle East - probably one of the most corrupt places on the planet in my experience.

Morrally corrupt? Not me or anyone i know... Don't judge the Country by what you see in the tabloids - The tabloids ARE sleazy and give the wrong impression of what actually goes on. I only read them if i am looking for light entertainment when waiting for a haircut.

Perhaps the title of your talk should be "Avoiding Shoddiness in the workplace" Sleaze is not really the right word for the brief you have been given. I can think of a few examples of sleazy ex-workmates, but that's due to personality defects rather than the working conditions.

I think the word sleaze often doesn't get used right, my old edition of the Colin's english dictionary basically describes sleaze as something that lowers reputation, so some of the examples given by John aren't necessarily sleazy unless the reputation of something is effected by it. I'd certainly agree with Bill that Shoddiness might have been a better word.