corphq: Evidence! How Kaiser HR Treats Employees Who Complain

kaiserfraud (

corphq) wrote,
@ 2006-05-26 18:26:00

Entry tags:

kaiser permanente, kaiser workers

Evidence! How Kaiser HR Treats Employees Who Complain
A Kaiser employee sent me a copy of an HR memo where the HR person shafts an employee who has made a complaint. The gist is that the HR representative thinks that the people with complaints need to be shown that upper management supports the person in the "leadership position", and the peons need to make "employment decisions accordingly". The HR toady also intended to inform the person in the "leadership position" about who was making the complaints so he could "coach" or "replace" the dissenters.

No kidding! That's what the HR memo says! Read a redacted version here:
http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kj3ix.png

Also, Kaiser's reign of incompetence continues with misplacing a dead baby. I'm the first to agree that this was a "heart-wrenching blunder", and I hope the parents get some sort of redress.

The person who sent me a link to this story also pointed out Kaiser fell back on its stock excuse:

"Obviously, our policies weren't followed, and the employee involved in releasing the bodies did not double-check the identities," said Kathleen McKenna, a Kaiser spokeswoman.

There seems to be a pattern of Kaiser policies "not being followed". I hope Kaiser will be forthcoming about its plan to remedy this problem. After all, why even bother having "policies", when everyone at Kaiser seems to be just winging it?

The HR memo posted above underscores why Kaiser employees don't have faith in corporate policies: they know darned well that the people who have power to take away their livelihoods are throwing "troublemakers" to the wolves.

Update: Kaiser pharmacists in Northern California are threatening to strike. When I worked for Kaiser three years ago, there was a Powerpoint circulating in the upper echelons about how Kaiser could maneuver to pay pharmacists less. They were actually a lot more worried about the pharmacists than the nursing shortage, though they had already invested heavily in automation. I'm hoping if I think about this for a while I'll be able to remember the specifics.

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Kaki Jennings email ...

intrepidliberal
2006-05-28 06:34 pm UTC (link)

illustrates that the complaint process is a nothing but sham. Sort of like a Soviet style "show trial" that lies on behalf of the accussed instead of the accuser. It would be analaogous to a Soviet citizen filing a complaint in Stalin's time with Andrea Vyshinsky who prosecuted the show trials to the benefit of Stalin. Kaiser isn't simply an HMO. It's a corporate gulag. Kaki Jennings is like a commissar for the Kaiser gulag.

Intrepid Liberal Journal

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	Re: Kaki Jennings email ... (Anonymous) 2006-05-28 07:55 pm UTC (link)
	Someone said Kaiser was advertising to fill Kaki Jennings position. Probably got a promotion as a reward for squashing complainers. Sad part is, I'll bet Garcia really thinks his compliance program is working!! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: Kaki Jennings email ...

corphq
2006-05-28 08:38 pm UTC (link)

In my humble opinion, that's the root of Kaiser's problem: they actively *promote* people for lying to the press, abusing subordinates, and other misdeeds. What good does a bunch of memos do when Kaiser's actions contradict their words? Some knucklehead at the top seems to be convinced that it's better to reward people for underhanded actions on Kaiser's behalf than build a reputation as an honest, ethical organization.

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Kaiser HR...

corpvigilante
2006-05-29 05:14 am UTC (link)

...is guilty of a lot of stuff no doubting that. Corporate coverup is a fact of life but it's depressing when leadership gets away with it, especially at the employee's expenses.

Some of the coverups and corruption goes back to, there are innocent hard-working people in Kaiser who want good things for the company and follow the rules, but they fear for their own jobs and so they play along and follow instructions. It's only a few bad apples that spoil the whole barrel. It's really too bad they're in key leadership roles.

When backed into a corner, people sometimes play the blame game instead of standing up for what's right. I thought Nuremberg taught us that defense doesn't work, and you'll hang with the leaders even though you're just "following orders". Those who fail to learn from history, are forced to relive it, painfully.

Interesting the German word Kaiser is their version of Caesar and the translated word for emperor, even though it's not Henry J's fault for the name...All Hail Kaiser.

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Re: Kaiser HR...

corphq
2006-05-29 06:31 am UTC (link)

I understand what you mean about good people at Kaiser being swept along by a bad system. When I worked at Kaiser, I was trying to do the right thing by Kaiser's members and my coworkers. It's a problem that when critics protest organizational problems, everyone who works for that organization gets painted with that brush. On the other hand, far too many people get away with pure evil because they can hide behind an abstract corporation, where responsibility is diffused. From what I can see, every single person that's been named for dishonesty, corruption, and illegal activity by outside observers not only still works for Kaiser, but has been treated to a promotion. This indicates to me that behind closed doors they're being congratulated and encouraged for the terrible things they've done. I really hope my efforts can make a dent in the intimidation game at Kaiser, and Kaiser's own employees will be empowered to start demanding ethical leadership.

Ps. Love your LJ name!

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Re: Kaiser HR...

corpvigilante
2006-05-29 09:37 am UTC (link)

Kaki Jennings is also the VP of Hawaii HR, and has been in charge for many, many years. Her long-time staffers share the same philosophy, and the "party slogan" is support management against the employee. No kidding about Kaiser gulag. If Stalinism or fascism exists in this country, it's in the Kaiser HMO model, hidden within the corporate structure, within the walls of the individual fiefdom departments, each run by its own little demi-god. Petty little idiot middle-managers like Norman Quon and Garrett Oguma. They rape, pillage and plunder resources of the department and the company for their own gain, and Compliance doesn't do anything because it would be too much to interrupt operations to get rid of a "leader", especially a seasoned one who's been around for years and years and years.

Hence the email from Kaki Jennings...managements supports the leadership and feels they're the right pick for the job...underlings can just pack their bags and leave. That philosophy is reverberated and reiterated by almost every manager I've come across who's still part of the problem. Maybe the Japanese are right, all that Hawaii is good for is to buy vacation houses, play golf, surf, and live part-time.

But, how to fix all this? The only people suffering are the good employees who are sick of it but cover themselves so they don't get canned. Members lose out because the cumulative effect of fraud and waste committed by idiot managers eventually impacts the level of service that Kaiser is able to provide (OR NOT PROVIDE). Of course some victims (such as myself and many others) are passionate to varying degrees on this point. Maybe every victim, either because of clinical malpractice or internal employment abuse, can altogether sue Kaiser as a foundation. That would probably be many thousands of people versus a corporation. I'm thinking Enron.

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Re: Kaiser HR...

corphq
2006-05-29 04:45 pm UTC (link)

The problem with the "right pick for the job" is usually this means management chose the person most capable of suppressing dissent or critical feedback. They think they are hiring the best person for the job when they are really hiring someone of little integrity who is willing to use intimidation to get what they want.

The ultimate irony is that when good employees try to bring this to light, the retaliation of the bad manager then paints them as bad employees (a "bad fit" with vague "performance problems"), and the ramifications of this abuse of power sabotage the employee's ability to get work elsewhere. I would like to see legislation that gives lawyers incentives to help victims in this situation. Corrupt organizations like Kaiser take notice when a swarm of lawyers descend. Right now lawyers think most retaliation and wrongful terminations aren't worth the money since the legal process is very expensive.

I agree that it's the Kaiser members who are losing both in terms of service and in terms of throwing their money down a hole.

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	Re: Kaiser HR... (Anonymous) 2006-10-02 11:17 pm UTC (link)
	I have been thinking about moving to the Oakland area and KP medical Center had been high on my list of future empoyers. I have read lots of th comments here and now I am having second thoughts. Is management really that bad... (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: Kaiser HR...

corphq
2006-10-03 05:39 am UTC (link)

Kaiser is a big employer in the area, which is part of the reason they enjoy a sort of "above the law" status. They also have a reputation for stupid politics and stabbing people in the back. I would argue they got this reputation because Kaiser's HR has no compliance teeth, so they became accomplices for covering up all sorts of crap. If Kaiser had to make reparations for all the injuries done to the people least able to protect themselves, it would probably tap out the multi-billion reserves they have now.

Don't rely on this blog - ask recruiters or employment agencies. They'll usually tell you the real story if they aren't trying to fill a position at Kaiser at the time. Tell them you've recently had a bad experience at Kaiser, and that will open the floodgates. You have to wonder how Kaiser's success in keeping these experiences quiet and seemingly "isolated" has contributed to the instability of the economy in the Oakland area.

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Kaiser

lewvirg
2006-06-19 08:58 pm UTC (link)

I worked at kaiser unfortunately for a number of years in IT - it was without a doubt the worst work experience I have ever had. The most disturbing aspect about Kaiser has always been management at any level. What I saw, was when a mistake of a discernible magnitude was made - Kaiser management wanted to know who/what group made the mistake - and you could see your managers and the managers of other departments playing off each other and using each incident as a power play. I have never been in an enviroment where you could not admit a mistake was made - because managers use these as tools to advance themselves in the eyes of upper-management and top discredit other managers. This management style I believe is fostered at the highest levels - at least from what I was exposed too, this has been going on at least since 1991. I saw co-workers actively participate in deception and mis-direction as well as the blame game to promote themselves and thus gain promotions. As long as their is a management style in place that promotes this behavior - the behavior cannot change. Essentially, what I saw in nutshell, is that if you fight the system as I and other managers did, you loose, and others see this as a way to advance. I have seen good people basically assimilate into this culture, since they saw what happens when you fight the system - or even try to make small changes to a system that does not reward accountability. When I approached HR (many times) in regard to these issues, I was told to work within my management to make changes and be positive - that I was to negative.

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Re: Kaiser

corphq
2006-06-20 12:23 am UTC (link)

I've never seen this problem better described. Thanks for posting your comment here.

I agree that the problem is fostered at the highest levels: and part of the problem is high level managers who seem to be functioning on their use of sports metaphors alone. There's not only a lack of basic understanding of technology, there's a widespread refusal to acknowledge that it's important to gain this understanding. Basically a lot of people talking out of orifices other than their mouth.

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Re: Kaiser

corpvigilante
2006-06-24 08:23 am UTC (link)

Wow, you'd think all the Kaiser HR staff go to a national conference or something, on how to talk to employees and management. I was at a session and heard this one, "you have to make changes within the framework of your department...and for the best interests of management (as a manager)" In other words, cover it the hell up and shut up and get back to work you worthless slug. Kaiser Stalinist Gulag, no kidding.

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Consultants

corphq
2006-06-24 06:56 pm UTC (link)

I recently met a consultant who charges $250/hour. She knows about a fraction of what I do in regard to her ostensible area of expertise. What struck me is she mostly tells managers what she thinks they want to hear: i.e., consultants create a managerial "echo chamber" to get more work. What managers want to hear is validation of their most self-centered (not organization-centered, but self-centered) practices. They want to hear about ways to project their authority and tricks that will make other people do their will. If they are making bad decisions, they want the consultant to tell them how right they are.

Corporations, including Kaiser, need to stop hiring consultants and start cultivating in-house expertise. If their trained personnel then go elsewhere - so what? If Kaiser is a good employer, they will be able to poach someone who was trained elsewhere. The training investment isn't actually wasted if it's all part of a large system where employers habitually encourage and respect in-house skills. When they hire consultants, Kaiser isn't actually getting the skills they need - they are overpaying for a lot of hype and for the managerial echo chamber.

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Incompetent and maliscious Managers
(Anonymous)
2006-10-18 06:19 pm UTC (link)

I was terminated by Kaiser as an "AT will" employee for supposedly performance issues. Now let me tell you I commuted between Sacramento and Oakland daily. I made some good friends and worked hard in everything I did. It is unbelievable how management can turn a person's life upside down because they don't like the way you look. I received satisfactory evaluations and was told how well I was doing. Without any notice I was put on a performance plan and a month later terminated. I was told "it is what it is" and I wouldn't want to be in your shoes." I am writing this because for the first time in my life I was made to feel Less than. I am a positive minded good person who believes in the ethical treatment of other people but how do you run an operation successfully when you get rid of the good hard working people because you don't like them? HR does not seem to care either because all they care was about is covering for the organization. To make matters worse they have branded me ineligible for future employment at Kaiser, now here is the kicker, they continue to use the work I had created while I was there. If my work was so bad why are they still using it? Management uses the performance issue as a way of moving people through the revolving door. This is ludicrous and leaves a foul taste in me. I will tell everyone that Kaiser needs to look at their compliance policy and address it with management as a whole because managers are not following the company compliance as it is intended to be and are getting rid of good hard working and productive people just because...

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Re: Incompetent and maliscious Managers

corphq
2006-10-18 11:29 pm UTC (link)

That sounds very much like what happened to me. When I tried to point out all the positive comments in my email, and use it as proof there weren't any performance issues, HR "accidentally" destroyed my email. I temped for a year before getting my job at Kaiser - working week to week, often extra hours I wasn't getting paid for. I worked on projects on weekends to prove my value. But my value as an employee was completely erased by an evil manager who was just mad because she couldn't use me against her rival.

Employees like you often make huge personal investments in their jobs, and Kaiser thinks NOTHING about ripping off that investment. They think anything is okay as long as they can get away with it. I hope as more people draw attention to what Kaiser managers do, they will be less able to get away with it. Thank you for posting your experience here.

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Re: Incompetent and maliscious Managers
ex_cherrycol662
2006-11-19 10:03 am UTC (link)

That's the Kaiser way. I was terminated the same way as anonymous 'AT will' employee for performance issues. I was put on a performance plan, given too many projects with unrealistic deadlines, and heavily micromanaged and a month later terminated 'at will'. I was felt that I was humiliated and treated worse than a dog. I suffered from depression for close to a year and I was in so much pain from the stress and anguish they caused me. I am not afraid to speak up about this anymore because I am not talking shit, I am saying the truth. There's a big difference between shit and truth. I hope that others are not as dumb as I am, by leaving in those terms. I hope that future victims are smart about these issues by obtaining legal representation. I can't imagine any lawyer turning down a case potential case in the matters of employment harassment and wrongful terminations, considering the fact that Kaiser is such a high profile company, and all the scandal that would ensue.

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Re: Incompetent and maliscious Managers

corphq
2006-11-19 06:42 pm UTC (link)

My manager actually didn't have enough time to set this up. She just lied on the HR documentation. When I brought the final termination letter to the CA Dept. of Fair Employment and Housing, the employment lawyer just glanced at it and translated "bad fit" into "performance issue." I pointed out that I had been doing a terrific job, and Kaiser had destroyed all the email evidence to hide that. I wish an employment lawyer would take on Kaiser in a class action suit.

Ps. I just got some interesting legal papers on this issue. Haven't decided whether I'll post them or just summarize.

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Re: Incompetent and maliscious Managers
(Anonymous)
2007-03-14 01:15 am UTC (link)

There are a lot of disgruntled employees here; most of these comments are unverifiable; not unbelievable, just unverifiable. I have a suggestion, when a kaiser employee is making a complaint or responding to a complaint, everything should be in writing--not phone mail/not email; a copy should be retained by the author for reference at a later date if necessary. If a kaiser employee is called into a "counseling" or "coaching" meeting with a superior or human resource person, a union represenative or peer should be in attendence. That way everything is documented and verifiable. I guarantee you all this nonsense would stop when people know what their rights are as employees. ALSO...more of these enlightened employees who have enjoyed the subsequent good labor/management partnership that ensues from good communication and ethics/competence--will be then promoted to leadership positions..so on and so forth....power to the people.....power to the patients. I think the organization as a whole has good intentions. We need to diligently go forth and expel bad blood--ethically.

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Re: Incompetent and maliscious Managers

corphq
2007-03-14 01:37 am UTC (link)

Good suggestions!

There is one major problem: managers are highly attuned to using (or rather faking) documentation to do whatever they want to subordinate employees. Therefore, if there's even a whiff of an employee trying to get something documented, the manager will act quickly to invent a pretext to fire them. Other managers approve of and collude in this because they see a subordinate's attempt to document a situation as ignorance of their office politics.

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