Barbara, the opposite receptionist to Angel is a delight. She is bubbly, friendly, and seems to be a genuinely nice person. She understands the criteria that are needed for the reception and for putting the patients at ease.
“What do you personally feel would improve the reception area?” I ask, and I’m sure at some stage we will discuss the elephant in the room, which happens to be Angel.
“The seating area, I think is a little squashed together. When you are coughing and sneezing you don’t want to spread that to the person next to you. I think a little distance between the seats would be a good idea. Or we have masks at hand when they enter. Something on the wall where they can just pick one up as they walk into the reception area.”
“That’s a good idea, Barbara. I’ll speak to Jamie about that. I wouldn’t want to sit next to anyone who was coughing germs everywhere. Especially when you are here for a health issue already.” I jot a note on the pad in front of me on the desk and then look up at Barbara again. “Any issues with a staff member?” Yeah, I had to ask the question.
“Well, I think everyone has a problem with Angel. She is rude, brash and insults patients whenever she feels like it. If I had to work alongside her instead of on the opposite rotation as her I would leave.”
Nodding, because honestly I can believe what she has told me, from the minor interactions I have had so far with Angel. “Okay, that’s good to know. I’ve had my eye on her, but with only a few days I don’t have enough as yet to voice my concerns. I’m sure however, it won’t take long.”
“No, I’m sure it won’t either. She just can’t seem to help herself when it comes to being rude.” Barbara shakes her head, more to herself than me, but I can see she’s not trying to get Angel into any trouble. She’s just telling me how she sees it.
“If you have nothing else to add I’d just like to say that it is a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we can work well together. Butknow that you can come to me with ideas, or complaints at any time.”
“Thank you, Miss Brookes.”
“No, none of that Miss Brookes stuff, Barbara. I’m Molly, and I’d prefer you called me that. Can you send Angel in for me, please?” I give her a bright smile, and she returns it as she exits the office, but I hear her mumble,‘Good luck.’
Now, that was a good meeting. I’m happy with Barbara’s work record, her attendance, and the comments that have been left in the comment box. Nothing to show me she won’t remain here and be an asset.
Without knocking or a word of greeting, Angel flounces into the office and throws herself into the seat in front of my desk. Chewing gum loudly, her entire attitude screams disrespect.
“Get rid of the gum, the attitude and then retake your seat.” I give her the iciest tone I can manage, and the shock on her face tells me it achieved the reaction I wanted.
I sit calmly while Angel walks over to the trash can near the door, then retakes her seat. She’s not spoken, and she’s dropped some of the attitude, but not all of it.
“Okay, let’s start again. How long have you worked here, Angel?”
“Don’t you know? Why have you not looked at my records? This is wasting my time…” Jumping out of her seat she is about to flounce out of the office, but I stop her in her tracks.
“Leave this office, and you will be removed from your position as a receptionist in the practice. I will make up your last pay, and then you’ll be done. Otherwise, take your seat, and it’s the last time I’m telling you to lose the attitude.” I lean forward slightlyin my seat, clasp my hands together on the desk and wait for her to decide.
It takes only two minutes for Angel to retake her seat. She folds her arms over her chest and looks like a teenager having a tantrum. She certainly is not the kind of person a practice like ours would ever need as the first face anyone sees.
“I have looked at your records…” Pausing to show I’m not appreciating what I’m seeing. “Your records show you have sixteen complaints against you for offensive comments. You have been warned five times about your tardiness for work hours. You also have two complaints regarding you making sexual comments to men when they have come for an appointment, and one of those had their wife with them.”
Angel smirks as if this is some kind of achievement. No shame, embarrassment or upset whatsoever. Yes, she has to go, and I’ll be giving her marching orders soon.
“I’m giving you notice, Angel. One more late morning to work, one more offensive comment, complaint or hitting on a man that comes into the practice, and you will lose your job. This is the last warning you will get.” I hold my hand up to stop her from speaking. “Don’t give me any sass, because that will be the comment that at this moment will have you walking out the door with your severance pay.”
Angel must realize how serious I am being as she drops her head to look into her lap. I wait for her to think about what I’ve said, and when she nods to herself before lifting her head up to look at me, she speaks softly and with respect. “I understand, Miss Brookes.”
I don’t correct her as I did Barbara as I don’t think at this minute she has earned that right. But hopefully she can soon. “I amputting you on probation for the next three months. If you do anything that I’ve brought to your attention you will be let go with, as I said severance pay. I hope this won’t happen.”
Sniffing in such a way that it shows me Angel isn’t going to last that long because even now she is showing some disrespect.
“I’ll do my best to improve what you feel is wrong.” Angel has some of her attitude back already. But that’s on her now. If she can’t mend her ways, then she’ll be gone. I won’t lose sleep over it.
“Good. The other thing is the fact that you are the first face that anyone sees when they walk into the practice. With that being said you need to tidy your appearance. Wearing a skirt that is too short, a blouse that is not buttoned correctly, and hair that looks like a bird’s nest is not the look we are aiming for. Tidy yourself up, wear appropriate clothing, or I’ll supply a uniform that you will wear, and present yourself as a professional person.” I do my bestlooking down my noseat her, which I think makes my point as she grinds her teeth. Of course, she can’t remain silent.
“I don’t see why you feel you can tell me what to wear. I’m sitting behind a reception desk, so nobody can see past my waist. My hair is fashionable, so it’s something about me being younger than you.” Jutting her chin out, she tried her best to make me back down.
“Look, Angel, if you want to dress like a club girl for the club then by all means do so, but you can’t do that here. If you want me to see if I can get you a position at the club as one of those girls, then just say so?” I wait, and you know I can see the little shit thinking about it!
“Won’t happen, Molly. We don’t take troublemakers into the club. This one is a prize one troublemaker. We’ve all seen hercause drama, and we won’t allow that. I can’t see any of the brothers wanting to stick their dicks in her either,” Breaker states from the doorway, so calmly that even I feel embarrassed. Looking at Angel I’m truly amazed she’s not understood, or taken on board anything he has just said. She’s looking at him like she wants to eat him up.
“Angel, get out of here and get to work. Remember what I’ve said because one slip and you are gone.”
