Post by hockeywife on May 21, 2012 17:50:07 GMT -5
...how long before your work would tell her to get it fixed, if ever?
Backstory: About a month after our receptionist started a crown (??) broke and her tooth fell out. It's not one of her front two, but it's the one right next to it. This was ~4 months ago. She was supposed to get it fixed, but for whatever reason, didn't. It's very obvious.
I'm trying not to be insensitive here, as I know she likely hasnt gotten it fixed for $$ reasons; however, she's the receptionist--the first person people see when they come to our (law) firm.
I think say nothing unless you are willing to pay for it, or find a way to help her pay for it. She's probably self conscious about it already. Are you her supervisor?
I can't imagine ever saying something. Would you tell her to dye her hair, get a hair cut, get new glasses, or anything else appearance-wise? Is she still functioning at her job? Are clients complaining about the toothless hag at the front desk?
It took at least a month for my father to get one of his lower front teeth replaced because he ended up having to get an implant instead of another crown. They had to set a rod in the socket let it heal and then wait for the custom implant to be made.
Maybe you can consider approaching her not as your employee, but as a person you know and like? As a friend? Express concern and ask if there's anything she needs in that area. Once you know what the reason for the delay is, you'll be better equipped to help her out (days off, advance on her salary, etc). But come to her from a place of caring and concern, not criticism and "this is how this is affecting your job performance."
Granted I don't work for a lawfirm but there are more people in my company missing teeth then not (despite our amazing dental insurance) no on say anything.
I can't imagine ever saying something. Would you tell her to dye her hair, get a hair cut, get new glasses, or anything else appearance-wise? Is she still functioning at her job? Are clients complaining about the toothless hag at the front desk?
I partially agree with this. But most professional places have a certain dress code. I know for nurses that work in the local hospital it says something about hair color and piercings and stuff, since they are representing the hospital/company.
Do you guys have an employee handbook or something? If not, then I think you're shit out of luck.
I don't think that legally you're allowed to say anything.
Want her to fix it? Pay her more money.
I mean, why not? We could fire her for not following the dress code or not being professional, etc. And yes, I realize I sound like a horrible person.
I refused to get my sister at job at my firm until she had a "normal" hairstyle (and her hairstyle wasnt all that crazy) and she had to take out her nose ring to sit at the reception desk...
She is definitely self conscious about it, which is why I would never say anything IRL. And no, I'm not her boss. My boss has brought it up to me in a "so do you know when X may be getting her tooth fixed?".
Probably never but we have free dental so I'd be a little curious as to what her holdup is. My dad does not have dental insurance and has to shell out big bucks for crowns so I'm sure it is just taking her some time to bite the bullet (pun intended).
I think this is different than dress code or unprofessionalism. She chooses how to dress and act. She probably didn't choose to lose her tooth. If she is a good employee I would want to try and help her not be looking for a polite way to tell her something not polite.
Post by hockeywife on May 21, 2012 18:13:21 GMT -5
At this point, I'm really playing devil's advocate, BUT
there are lots of places that have rules about facial hair and tattoos, body odor, even. She is the first person people see when they come to our office.
And for the record, my DH is missing two teeth. It doesnt bother me, even when he doesnt wear his flipper, so I'm not just prejudiced against toothless people, LOL.
Post by thedutchgirl on May 21, 2012 18:15:19 GMT -5
Tooth equals medical stuff, which starts involving HIPAA. I suspect that is what a PP meant.
One of the partners I work with had a similar issue last year. Start to finish it took fourish months to have fixed, although he was able to have a temp on a retainer until he could get the implant.
Maybe you can consider approaching her not as your employee, but as a person you know and like? As a friend? Express concern and ask if there's anything she needs in that area. Once you know what the reason for the delay is, you'll be better equipped to help her out (days off, advance on her salary, etc). But come to her from a place of caring and concern, not criticism and "this is how this is affecting your job performance."
But she didn't say it is affecting her job performance?
This is a terrible idea.
She once had a crown. She obviously doesn't prefer walking around with holes in her mouth. She makes a receptionist's salary. This isn't hard to figure out.
Okay, so if it's not hard to figure out, maybe it's time to see if the OP can decide if she can help the receptionist in some way? Saying something for the sake of "you look horrible" isn't going to accomplish anything positive - I'm just suggesting going into it with a problem-solving attitude. Not sure if it's appropriate, but if it were my receptionist, I'd for sure want to know if I could help her in some way.
And no, I know nothing about the legal issues around this matter, but I do think it's naive to say that her looks have nothing to do with how people react to her. Of course they do! And as the first person that is seen in the law-firm, it would be naive to think that the new clients that walk in don't see her and immediately question the firm, their income/success rates, and what kind of support and care they offer their employees.
Our senior litigation partner is a multi-millionaire. He had some dental issues that resulted in having all of his back teeth pulled. It took several months of root canals and impressions and implants for his teeth to be fixed. If it isn't negatively affecting her job performance, I'm not sure you can say anything to her. I work at an employment firm so I'll pose the question tomorrow.
Dental work is expensive, even with dental insurance. My husband and I just paid off a $4K bill between our dental work that was done back in February/March.
Post by hockeywife on May 21, 2012 18:37:09 GMT -5
Clearly I'm a jerk. There are other factors here that lead me to give the side eye; however, I think I may have been too quick to judge in this situation.
dental work is so expensive, I'm sure she just can't afford it at this point.
we had a patient recently needing to have all of his teeth removed before he could have heart surgery. He had no insurance and it was going to be $6000 for the extractions. Ouch, in more than one way!
It makes me sad, is all. The people I know with bad teeth would be crushed if someone said something to them. They know they have bad teeth. Yes, it's unattractive.
I hope she is working on a solution.
I agree with this, and I have nice teeth.
I've never met someone with a dental issue who wasn't self conscious about it already. It's up there with asking the receptionist when she's going to lose weight, because she's making the company look bad.
Post by statlerwaldorf on May 21, 2012 20:16:23 GMT -5
I don't think asking someone to keep their hair a natural color is the same as asking someone to undergo an advanced dental procedure. I would say nothing.
I had a toothless coworker. Infact, I've posted about toothless coworker on here. She's a total bitch. She has her front teeth now. But it was a very long time before she got them. She fills in for receptionist quite a bit.
Funny story: MH's aunt didn't like wearing her teeth and took them out all the time. She put her teeth on top of a big stereo..about 4 feet tall. The family dog jumped up and got them. She ate almost all but one of the teeth.