Is this behaviour appropriate? Advice needed.

[The-red-centaur]

Background. I live with 24/7 supports. 

Is it OK for my support to cry on shift?

I understand we all have feelings and personal lives, but is letting it spill out and effect you work and your client proper practice for a disability support worker. 

I understand my support worker has been under a lot of financial and personal stress. I'm not having a go at her, but is her behaviour appropriate? 

I struggle understanding if this is ok or normal to expect little care or interaction, because of the support workers personal issues, and feel neglected or I should let it slide due to their personal struggles. I don't want to be unkind to them, but isn't the client meant to be the focus.

Sometime I feel like people join the disability work force because they think it pays ok, with minimal work actually required, or that it's an easy job because they are compassionate people and like helping others. It is so much more complex than that and I feel that many support workers don't do a proper job. 

Note: I understand I may be projecting abandonment and neglect trauma into the situation. I have not been looked after properly by supports or family in the past. That's why I'm asking the question. Do I let this slide, like I do with most stuff they do. Or do I report it to my house manager and flag that I feel the support worker uses the shift to smoke and deal with personal issues. 

[Gremlin24]

@The-red-centaur i think if it was a once off thing that they were upset and just had an off day then that's not a reason for concern. However if it's been happening on multiple occasions then it's something that needs to be raised and addressed. 

If you aren't feeling supported like you are supposed to then it's having an impact on their work ability which is then leaving you vulnerable. You are meant to be their focus and it's their job to make sure you receive the care you need regardless of what's happening in their personal life. 

I would speak to your house manager and just let them know what's going on. They may just need someone to talk to themselves or a little break to be able to refocus on what their role is in this job. 

[Ru-bee]

Hey @The-red-centaur I second @Gremlin24's thoughts here in letting your house manager know what's going on. While everyone's human and we all have times where our emotions get the best of us in the wrong situations, your support worker does still have a responsibility to recognise when they're struggling and reach out to their supervisor or manager for support before it gets to this point. 

It's lovely that you can be empathetic and understanding that they're going through something, and perhaps you can mention it to your house manager in an empathetic way by expressing your concern, rather than as a complaint. 

[The-red-centaur]

@Ru-bee @Gremlin24 thank you for the input. 

It's not just the once that this person brought their personal life to work. I can see how upset and stressed they are at the moment. I am concerned for them, but at the same time I understand that this is not appropriate behaviour for a support worker. 

Her stress has been impacting her ability to work properly. I feel for her. But I know that I need better care than that. I find it hard to put my needs first at the best of times. And tbh I have other things to deal with than support workers issues. 

I will talk to my house manager, even see if the company can do anything to support the worker at this time. I don't like dobbing people in, but she might need some help and support at this time.

[Gremlin24]

@The-red-centaur that sounds like the best thing as it sounds like they are really struggling and could do with some support themselves. 

You definitely need to make sure your needs are being met. I really hope they listen to your concerns so this worker can get help so that they can be more focused on their job of taking care of you. Or potentially give you another worker while that one takes a break. I'm not really sure how it works but I hope it all works out for you. 

[The-red-centaur]

@Gremlin24 thank you for the input.