Note: This story is co-written by PhunkyBrewster and HelenVanPattersonPatton. Neither writer owns any of the characters associated with The Mindy Project.
To: All Employees
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Re: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 9:42 am
This is just a stern, yet friendly reminder that the way we cultivate our work environment is crucial to our operation (pun!) here. It's important that we establish a professional, friendly environment for ourselves, as it not only affects us, but our patients. Let's work together to achieve this. Mainly, let's do away with the yelling matches in the receptionist's area, as they are wholly unprofessional and a receptionist almost on the verge of tears does little to comfort some of our more hormonal, already emotional patients.
Marc Shulman, M.D.
Dr. Marc Shulman, OB/GYN
Shulman & Associates
119 Spring Street
Suite 301
New York, New York 10014
P: (212) 530-0639
F: (212) 530-7607
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodore "Seuss" Geisel
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Re: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 9:58 am
Dr. Shulman, I agree with you 100%! A friendly, embracing work environment is so important and we should all do our part to contribute to its make-up. I, for instance, come everyday with at least five light, all-inclusive conversational topics ready to go at any moment (I have since learned not to bring up anything to controversial, like Afghanistan or Taylor Swift's love life. I take full responsibility for last week, by the way). I think this, paired with my adorably infectious personality, really provide an atmosphere that is not only welcoming, but has earned me three bridesmaid offers from patients in the past year alone.
You know what doesn't contribute to this awesome environment? Surly, ill-researched rants about the Kardashians or my sweaters which are FESTIVE and most certainly not "loud beyond reason and age-appropriateness," whatever that means. More importantly, I think that certain individuals need to take a long, hard look at how they choose to represent themselves (and by extension, the practice) before they go publicly criticizing anybody else's daringly stylish wardrobe.
Anyways, just something to think about!
Mindy Lahiri, M.D.
Mindy Lahiri, M.D., OB/GYN
Shulman & Associates
119 Spring Street; Suite 301
New York, New York 10014
Telephone: 212.530.0639
Facsimile: 212.530.7607
Mobile: 212.966.7600
"Boy, I know you love it how we're smart enough to make these millions, Strong enough to bear the children, Then get back to business." Beyonce Knowles, Who Run The World (Girls)
To: All Employees
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Re: RE: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 10:32 am
I cannot agree enough with the assertion that a professional work environment is key for happy and healthy patients. They should clearly by our top priority! This bears directly on the altercation you mentioned, Dr. Shulman. I do not feel that it is unreasonable for us to have an expectation of professionalism. But I won't point fingers.
In regards to making Betsy cry: I take full responsibility for this and will apologize accordingly. It does seem worth positing that if Betsy, or any of our other employees, were not tasked with handling other's personal needs, such as balancing a checkbook that hasn't been correct in years while also being forced to find sold-out concert tickets to see a mediocre pop star then perhaps they wouldn't be on edge and easily brought to tears. Food for thought.
Regards,
Dr. Daniel Castellano
P.S. I reattached the guidelines for the dress-code I suggested we implement. A consistent and mature front to our business seems like a no-brainer.
To: All Employees
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Re: RE: RE: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 10:47 am
Okay, I feel the need to make a few points here:
1. Referring to Lady Gaga as anything less than iconic is not only an affront to her, but to all modern music aficionados like myself. Maybe we should save terms like "mediocre" for the truly mediocre, like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Regina Spektor?
2. While I can't speak for anyone else, I can assure you that any task that I bring to Betsy comes with a smile, a "please" and the appropriate "thank you" and is never, as my colleague falsely observed, "forced." In the interest of creating a friendlier work space for everyone, as Dr. Shulman so brilliantly suggested, we should all take a moment to implement simple manners when requesting anything of our staff, rather than bark commands from our office door, like "BETSY, CALL THOSE IDIOTS AT DR. DECKLYNN'S OFFICE AND TELL THEM THAT THEY SENT THE WRONG DAMN FILE! NOW!" Furthermore, when did dictating angry letters to the Starbucks corporate office stop falling under the "personal needs" category? And Betsy, I just wanted to say that you're doing an amazing job. You've earned every cent of that $20 Red Lobster gift card we gave you for Secretary's Day.
3. I think the dress code we have now is just fine. Perhaps a consistent (read: twenty different versions of the same dark blue shirt) and mature (read: curmudgeonly) approach isn't quite as obvious to everyone.
Just putting that out there.
Mindy Lahiri, M.D., OB/GYN
Shulman & Associates
119 Spring Street; Suite 301
New York, New York 10014
Telephone: 212.530.0639
Facsimile: 212.530.7607
Mobile: 212.966.7600
"Boy, I know you love it how we're smart enough to make these millions, Strong enough to bear the children, Then get back to business." Beyonce Knowles, Who Run The World (Girls)
To: All Employees
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Re: RE: RE: RE: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 10:52 am
Regina Spektor is a national treasure. Not that I expect you to appreciate that with your clearly sub-par ear for music, but I would think you of all people would be more supportive of other immigrants. And at least she can play an instrument.
Mollycoddling the staff to get them to do your bidding is not what we pay them for. As one of the (senior) partners here I don't feel like it's necessary to throw a party every time someone actually does there job. They receive thanks enough in the form of a paycheck at the end of every week. I won't go into my feelings again on giving gifts for "Secretary's Day", but you do work very hard most of the time, Betsy.
My personal style is just fine, thank you. I get compliments on my causal, yet professional, attire all the time. If this is something you feel so strongly about perhaps a career more suited to your interests is something for you to look into. Such as working with blind children or going to clown college. Just putting that out there.
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Re: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 10:58 am
WOW, okay, there's A LOT that I could address here between the racism and this cloud of delusion you've created for yourself regarding your "personal style" (using the term very loosely here) and your awful taste in music, but I can't focus on any of that when Danny Castellano, doctor and self-proclaimed genius, STILL CANNOT GRASP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "THERE" AND "THEIR." Oh, my God, Danny, HOW are you still having trouble with this when we argued for almost thirty minutes about this very thing last week after the whole "your welcome" debacle?! I am an attractive, successful doctor; I do not have the time to play Madonna in A League of Their Own, teaching the illiterate.
And don't bother pretending that you don't understand that reference because I heard you trying (key word) to bang out the first few notes of "This Used to Be My Playground" on your keyboard.
Mindy Lahiri, M.D., OB/GYN
Shulman & Associates
119 Spring Street; Suite 301
New York, New York 10014
Telephone: 212.530.0639
Facsimile: 212.530.7607
Mobile: 212-966-7600
"Boy, I know you love it how we're smart enough to make these millions, Strong enough to bear the children, Then get back to business." Beyonce Knowles, Who Run The World (Girls)
To: All Employees
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Re: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 11:05 am
Are you seriously nit picking my very obvious typo? This from the woman who thinks Benjamin Franklin was our 3rd President. (Also, for the record, there most definitely was a President Garfield, and for the last time he is in no way associated with a cartoon cat.) I know how to spell, thank you. You are well aware that I have been published in two different medical journals.
I would like to caution the willy-nilly throwing around of the term racism. This over-sensitive and vocal stance does nothing but open this practice up to frivolous lawsuits. Is that what you want?
To: All Employees
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Re: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Our Work Environment
Aug 6 2012 11:09 am
ATTN: ALL STAFF
I would like everyone to refer to the below trail of correspondence as a prime example of a hostile work environment. This is precisely the type of unacceptable behavior we are trying to move away from. Let's use the below example as a direct guideline of how not to associate with each other.
Danny and Mindy, please see me in my office immediately after lunch.
Marc Shulman, M.D.
Dr. Marc Shulman, OB/GYN
Shulman & Associates
119 Spring Street
Suite 301
New York, New York 10014
P: (212) 530-0639
F: (212) 530-7607
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodore "Seuss" Geisel
To: All Employees
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Re: Clearing the air
Aug 6, 2012 3:01 pm
After a very constructive meeting with Dr. Shulman, I think we can all agree to put this petty bickering to rest. Many harmless statements (clearly meant humorously) were taken out of context and escalated into a big deal. Lesson learned. Some people can't take a joke. Regardless, this is water under the bridge.
We are all a team here at Shulman & Associates and it is necessary to work well together! Now that the air is cleared we can all get back to what should have been the priority all along: our patients.
Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel Castellano
To: All Employees
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Re: RE: Clearing the air
Aug 6, 2012 3:09 pm
Daniel, let me be the first to say how inspirational and, above all, professional that was. I agree: our patients are our priority and working as a cohesive unit will help us all keep that in perspective. Furthermore, I think that each and every one of us brings something unique and essential to the table: Betsy's enthusiasm, Shauna's lovable sass, Beverly's street know-how, Jeremy's classic charm, my impeccable sense of humor, and Daniel's old school work ethic are all part of the fabric of Shulman & Associates, and we should do our best to highlight and encourage these contributions of ours.
While I felt that it was apparent to most that I responded with the sole intention of being constructive, it is clear that the notion didn't come across to everyone. I am so grateful that Dr. Shulman allowed us some time to clear up any miscommunication that took place today. As my good friend and colleague said, "Water under the bridge."
Lots of love,
Mindy Lahiri, M.D.
Mindy Lahiri, M.D., OB/GYN
Shulman & Associates
119 Spring Street; Suite 301
New York, New York 10014
Telephone: 212.530.0639
Facsimile: 212.530.7607
Mobile: 212.966.7600
"Boy, I know you love it how we're smart enough to make these millions, Strong enough to bear the children, Then get back to business." Beyonce Knowles, Who Run The World (Girls)