Just learn from it.

Life’s lessons are learned in myriad ways. Sometimes, not enough thought is put into a plan’s execution, so it backfires. Other times, you cannot imagine that a singular guideline would be necessary to discuss, let alone write down: Why would anyone on staff feel differently?

YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP

We scheduled a Halloween dress-up day for staff. We didn’t think it necessary to put into the guidelines that modest dress still applied, because it never entered my mind that anyone on my staff lacked common sense. Oh but they did.

It also never entered my mind that I would make the same mistake twice, but I did. Sometimes, you need to do that so you will never err in that way again. This time — same theme — it was an ugly holiday sweater day, also held during working hours.

For our readers’ edification — and entertainment — here are the details.

OVERLOOKED SPECS

These events occurred a few years ago, but I still scratch my head over some staff’s behavior and decision-making.

Exhibit A: For the Halloween dress-up day, we allowed staff to come to work dressed in costume. And what costumes. Mary Poppins, a cat lady — and fishnet stockings and very short dresses. These staff dressed for a night out, not for a day in collecting copays and assisting physicians. We wanted to send these women home, but we couldn’t because the office was so busy. So we sent for scrubs from the OR. Thank goodness for them as they covered a lot.

When we realized our lesson, for something so simple as allowing staff to have fun and yet come to work, we provided a clear explanation, via e-mail, of what was permitted and what was not.

Exhibit B: But the same thing happened around the holidays a few years later. We held an ugly sweater day. How did we fail this time, you ask? While we told staff “sweater,” which took care of the top half of the body, we didn’t specify what bottoms to wear. Some women came to work in skin-tight leggings, which outlined too much.

LIFE’S LESSONS LEARNED

The first lesson, thinking things through, has been well learned. We discuss all of these items at staff meetings and distribute those instructions, in bullet form, via e-mail. If staff members have questions, they can ask for clarification.

As for lesson number two, I have learned that being presumptuous is inefficient. We now spell out: Do not dress in a sexual manner, a religious fashion or as a recognizable political figure. Period. Sweaters? Nothing plunging, and make sure the lower body is appropriately attired — uniform slacks and sneakers.

As lessons go, these were easy to learn. They show how important it is for management to give advice so clear it cannot be misunderstood. OM

Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, is the founder of Matossian Eye Associates. Her e-mail is cmatossian@matossianeye.com