Am I over reaching at work?

[Anonymous]

I work at a male group home for ages 11 to 18. We have 9 boys currently from ages 15 to 18. Granted I hate to be alone but it happens all the time. There is grey communication between bosses and everything is very repetitive and every weekend is usually a shit show. This weekend we got lucky and there was a first shift person, mid shift and 2nd shift on the schedule ( myself, another woman and 1 male). All the boys rooms have conjoining bathrooms.

This particular 16 year old shares a bathroom with extra furniture from when the case manager moved and didn't take everything to her new office. An empty filing cabinet was the only thing to keep him from getting in that room. MIND YOU, the child is in there for compulsive behavior and addiction. He went into the room and went through the rest of furniture and a phone was found on him that was confiscated from previous children. He also found a knife in this cabinet and phone charger. He used the knife to cut himself and carried it in his waist band. We are not able to touch them, call police and he wasn't threatening anyone. The male and myself contacted our boss and he came in ripped the kids ass. No cops or anything!! The child showed myself the cabinet and I showed my boss. This cabinet held files, maybe 30 phones, laptop, chargers, vapes and resident files. Boss did nothing.. fast forward next day. Same child goes back in the SAME cabinet and gets 2 phones. We catch him and he is actively looking for ways around the building to kill himself. We call the boss again, he does nothing calls the kids PO and thats who calls the police to take him to a mental hospital? Am I overreacting? Im livid! He has a knife and my boss had 3 opportunities to remove the accessible cabinet and did NOTHING. Also he did not communicate with me what so ever and only to the male working with me. I believe he's mad I had surgery and had to call off work due to my doctor's note and anesthesia used for 2 days.

[SamIam96]

That is insane! Keep documenting what's happening. Dates, times, names. All factual no personal commentary. Make an appointment to see your boss's boss. Unemotionally present what's happening.

[Asker]

Thank you! I think im going to start writing everything down in a notebook. Staff logs everything for the day on the computer but the boss usually erases what he doesn't like that's said. Child is still in the hospital and I ended up taking the whole cabinet and locking it behind a door. When I went in today it was gone so im not sure where it went.

[SamIam96]

Smart thinking. Your boss has created a situation where someone under his care may have died. If the child's parents or guardians are savvy, they'll sue and likely win.

Keep maintaining your records even if things seem to improve. Your boss is a disaster waiting to happen.

Good luck. You're doing the right thing by taking steps to keep these kids safe.

[Asker]

Thank you!

[SamIam96]

Thank you for the MHO. I can't imagine how stressful it must be every day. Take care.

[Anonymous]

Nah, report it to the relivent government department, that will get it sorted

[Asker]

Im not sure they would care lol. I know we are state ran and big bosses are money hungry commissioners. They know we are a joke but we feed their wallets.

[Opinion Owner]

They're regulations, something goes wrong like a stabbing and they'll be sacked/demoted

[Asker]

As much as I like helping some of the kids. I've noticed my attitude is changing and becoming very nasty and I dont like it. But I honestly think they should just shut it down at this point. I know police and sheriff's complain about us. The officers face when I told them about him having a knife in the building that was accessible through staffs neglect was disgust and rightfully so.

[Opinion Owner]

The relevant department will do that especially if the police are against its operation

[Nikki1989]

Just report it. This is not something you should be concerned about.

[AI Opinion]

Your concerns are valid. Ensuring a safe environment for the boys is crucial, and if your boss is not addressing critical safety issues, it may be time to escalate the matter further. Speak with higher management or external authorities if necessary. Your well-being and the safety of the boys should always be a priority. Proper communication and removing hazards are essential. Continue advocating for appropriate measures and support, while documenting instances where safety protocols are not followed. Your proactive approach is commendable, but make sure to take care of yourself as well.

[Asker]

Thank you! I honestly was so stressed today I started shutting down and laughing uncomfortably about a pipe busting and flooding a room because it ate the floor due to hot water. I was so relaxed after surgery. I've been back 3 days and feel like im at my breaking point.