Watch for those excuses to increase

Employees may be more prone these days to blame others for problems they have caused themselves, said Paul Harvey, assistant professor of management at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

Harvey, who studies behavior in the workplace, said it is “a natural human tendency to want to deflect blame for negative outcomes (especially at work where your competency is always being evaluated), and so people often subconsciously look for other people to blame when problems arise.”

If the finger-pointer is the boss, the situation becomes even more complicated, he explained. “When that happens, people usually have to stand their ground and hope that, over time, the facts help to vindicate them.”

This version of blaming is a form of “abusive supervision” and includes “spreading rumors about employees, insulting them, withholding information, and pretty much everything short of actual physical abuse.”

Reference:

Watch for ‘Employee Scapegoating’ as Economic Troubles Continue. (2009, March). HR Focus, 86(3), 8-9.  Retrieved March 29, 2009, from Alumni – ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1654950911).

With over 27 years in Healthcare Environmental Services (ES), I lead with a belief that attitude drives outcomes. As a Regional Director at MultiCare Health System, I oversee multi-site ES operations with a focus on people-first leadership, infection control, and operational excellence. I champion a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) not as a slogan, but as a leadership principle. I believe positivity is contagious, and as a leader, I set the tone. Through consistent, uplifting communication, I create environments where ES teams feel empowered to be helpful, proactive, and proud of their impact. For me, development is a choice, and I invest in training, huddles, and coaching that energize teams, helping them thrive in their current roles and grow toward what’s next. My approach to high standards isn't theoretical, it's practical. Just like we notice when a hotel room is clean and fresh, patients and families immediately sense a space that’s been cared for. Through standardized protocols, team accountability, and a shared mission, I help create clean, safe, and healing environments that directly enhance patient experience and staff well-being. It's a privilege to lead teams that play such a vital role in the patient journey, and to help elevate the perception and performance of ES professionals across our system.

What do you think?