APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is uncomfortable with a co-worker’s behaviour.
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Q: I work as part of the reception team at a GP surgery.
We often have to deal with personal and confidential issues, so discretion and sensitivity is key.
However, one of my colleagues who is more senior than me always seems to openly gossip and complain about patients, which makes me feel really uncomfortable.
I have expressed gently that I don’t think she should be talking about patients in that way, but she hasn’t stopped.
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I don’t want to create a massive fuss, but I feel pretty strongly that the way she is behaving isn’t OK.
What do you think I should do?
Janet, via email
A: You’re right to feel concerned – that kind of behaviour isn’t appropriate in a GP setting and goes against the trust that patients place in the team.
You’ve already tried addressing it gently, which was the right first step, but as it has continued I would suggest speaking to your colleague again more assertively.
Explain that the conversations make you uncomfortable and could risk patient trust or even violate confidentiality rules.
It may help to refer to your practice’s confidentiality policy – this keeps the focus on professional standards, not personal issues.
If that still doesn’t lead to change, it’s time to raise the issue with your line manager or the practice manager.
Explain that you’ve already tried to speak to your colleague directly, but her continuing behaviour is affecting how you feel at work.
It could help to keep a record of what’s been said and when, so you can refer to specific examples.
It’s important to protect the professional standards of your workplace.
Ultimately, your integrity matters, and you’re doing the right thing by taking this seriously.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.
