Working with Multi-Generations

Shun Newbern, BS, CFSP and Christie Winn, BS, MS

There are many generations at in the work place, interacting with each other on a daily basis. This often gives rise to frustration, conflict and misunderstanding. However each generation has something worthwhile and exciting to offer. This series of articles will take a much deeper examination to this important diversity issue generation differences. In his research at Fairleigh Dickinson University on understanding generations, Greg Hammil indicates that communication is highly linked to the generational background of every person. He states, “Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons. Learning how to communicate with the different generations can eliminate many major confrontations and misunderstandings in the workplace and the world of business”. It must be said that generational differences are a legitimate diversity issue that organizations need to understand and addressed the issues while developing current and future leaders.

Trevor Wilson, in his book Diversity at Work, says that due to the different workforce corporations are facing, there is a need for a new human resource strategy. The new strategy will look on how the generational differences will affect productivity in the workplace. “The shift into the Age of Equity (year 2000+) occurs when organizations begin to acknowledge differences between people instead of ignoring them”. Several resources have placed the workforces into five major categories. There are the Traditionalists who were born between 1922 through 1943. The largest work classes currently are the Baby Boomers which were born between 1944 through 1964. Generation X was born between 1965 through 1981. One of the most interest categories is Generation Y, also known as the Millennial that was born between 1982 through 1999. The youngest and slowly developing work class is the Generation Z that was born in 2000. Each of these groups has its own set of characteristics that influenced their values and beliefs. Those characteristics were shaped by historical events and social changes. Wilson stated that, “In addition to the coincidence of birth, a generation is also defined by common tastes, attitudes, and experiences; a generational cohort is a product of its times and tastes”.

Have you noticed the differences in your mortuary staff? Younger workers ask for a democratic team structure and a diverse one where they have difficulty with the conventional chain of command. They question authority since they view the idea of the chain of command as inadequate. They ask to be a part of the company’s decision-making process. Older generations are used to a more hierarchical structure, and may be defensive by this new chaos cluster.

Younger generations live and think as independent groups. They are technically savvy were they can process a load of information at once. They expect the organization to provide them with the tools that will help them do their job. Younger employees prefer flexibility, plenty of resources, and minimal supervision. These demands may cause problems with elder employees that values and demands close supervision. The younger prefer to communicate using email, conferencing, or text messaging. On the other hand older employees prefer to meet in person, and give a great deal to phone call rather than a text message.

Older generations at the workplace feel that younger generations are bringing change. Their communication, ethics, work style and technology are different than what older generations are used to. Potential conflict and resistance may occur during that change process. When change is being implemented, resistance occurs. When individuals feel threatened, they usually charge or reject the change.

The organization needs to create an open environment where employees from different generations and backgrounds can openly share who they are without the fear of being negatively judged and forced to change. Company leaders should avoid forcing their own ideologies and remain open to new ideas and working with managers and key employees to reshape the company’s vision. How is the communication in your workplace? Does management make directions clear and concise? Are there misunderstandings and strife between seasoned staff members and mortuary program graduates?  We share more on this subject in months to come.

How to Successfully Pass

A Prep Room Inspection
by Shun Newbern, CFSP 

When the preparation room inspection occurs it brings astounding and often dreadful feelings to the mortuary manager and embalmer.  It doesn’t really matter if the inspection was planned or is a surprise visit.  So how can you be better prepared?  As most coaches would tell athletes – the best offense is a good defense.  Be fully prepared; when the state inspector or OSHA comes you will survive the inspection.  This article will take a closer look at some key areas for embalmers to focus and prepare for.  Please refer to specific regulations of your state to ensure that complete compliance is understood.

The Fundamentals

Unlicensed embalmers and unregistered apprentices are apparent violations.  The funeral home owners and management have an ethical and legal responsibility to the families they serve to appropriately staff their business.  Remains should be properly covered at all times to ensure privacy. 
Unembalmed remains should be refrigerated in appropriate time, per the states requirements.  Scrutiny will be placed on the funeral home if there is a cabinet is  occupied with photos of deceased, container with viscera in formalin, unidentifiable cremated remains and as well the unimaginable. All procedures should be documented with a written expressed permission prior to taking photos, removal of medical devices, embalming and major restorative art. A detailed embalming report should be prepared explaining the decedent’s condition before, during and after the procedure instead of take photos without proper documentation.  Some items discussed may not be violations in your state, nevertheless, they raise ethical issues and increase the funeral homes liability for litigation.

Remain Optimistic

By being prepared and proactive you can pass an inspection and prevent fines.  The embalming room is respectful place that is seemingly sacred; at any rate, it is to remain secure, odor free and sanitary at all times. Your attitude towards the inspector is paramount; if you begin with false and misleading statements, making excuses for non-compliance issues it will be used against you.  Every container with chemical in the embalming room should be properly labeled.  There should be separate waste receptacles designated for hazardous waste in a red container and another for regular trash.  Maintain records of hazardous waste treatment and pick-up.   

If an embalmers work behavior indicates the he maintains an unclean work area during procedures, the inspection results generally will reflect the same.  Observe the following scenarios:  If the inspector arrives at 8am and the work area is not clean, the probabilities that it was left over night are very high. The unacceptable response would be “I just arrived and have not had a chance to clean the area.” In comparison, if the inspection was held in the afternoon and the embalmer is outside washing cars.  The embalmer failed at the conclusion of the embalming to clean the area – not at the end of the work shift.

Details, Details, Details

In order to pass the inspection, observe the following overlooked details.  Immediately after each embalming wash and scour the head / arm blocks, body supports, instruments, the entire embalming table and sundry items used for cleaning and disinfecting. Recording the frequency of housekeeping maintenance can be placed in a three-ring binder or on the embalming report. The autopsy and tissue harvest case becomes time consuming, resulting in less than satisfactory cleaning of additional apparatus that are used.  Caution should be taken in cleaning the viscera pail, autopsy aspirator and the container of drying compound.

The floor obviously should be swept and mopped, free of hair and debris.  The work area should be free of insects and vermin. Additional attention should be given to corners, ventilation areas and surfaces.  Are there exposed nonporous items in the embalming room?  This implies that the items or area must be permeable by water, chemical or body fluids to contaminating surfaces. Commonly overlooked unpainted and nonporous items are: body supports, exposed ceilings, walls, floors, cold storage holding tables or narrow door surfaces.

Some state inspectors include the refrigerated holding unit and the removal vehicles with the embalming room inspection.  Attention should be given to all surfaces and floors to ensure that they are sanitized and odor free.  The refrigerator unit should not exceed its designed capacity.   A three tier body unit that is storing seven bodies is considered unethical and a violation.

Overlooked areas for OSHA

Take out the time to review your compliance for OSHA regulations as well.  Here are five common overlooked areas.  Every employee that wears Personal Protective Equipment should be placed and maintained on a list. This requirement is 1910.132 (f) (4).  Every employer is required to conduct a hazard assessment survey. This is requirement 1910.132 (d) (2).  OSHA indicates that the embalmer should wear goggles, but most wear face shields for splash protection.  Requirement 1910.1048(h)(1)(iii) needs to be amended to current practices of embalmers. 

The annual safety training should not be limited to a sign-off sheet.  It should contain the title of the course, the name and qualifications of the instructor, the date, time, location of the training, a statement indicating all areas discussed, social security numbers and name of each employee. It appears excessive, but this documentation protects the firm if a disgruntle employee suggest that they have not been properly trained.  This is requirement 1910.1030(h)(2).  Funeral homes must also document every year that they considered and reviewed implementation of appropriate effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure. This is requirement 1910.1048(h) (1) (iii).

Some additional tips to stay compliant on all areas is to develop a quality control housekeeping plan with a checklist that enables all areas to be cleaned and sanitized daily, weekly and more detailed checklist monthly.   This may include delegating staff members, the apprentice embalmer and a planned or surprised inspection by the supervisor or manager on frequent bases.  The results of the visit could be a minimum verbal warning to a drastic decision to move forward to revoking the operating license due to unprofessional practices.    

To request specific articles / subjects, you may contact Shun Newbern, CFSP at shunnewbern@aol.com