Summary

This episode of the Boss podcast features Dr. Jennifer Whittington sharing her experience with toxic work environments and how she navigated leaving such situations. The host, Dr. Amy Vertries, introduces the podcast as focusing on lessons not taught in residency for surgeons.

Dr. Whittington discusses her first job search after residency, where she was geographically limited due to custody arrangements for her daughter. She admits she made a critical mistake by not hiring a contract lawyer to review her employment agreement, which later proved to be problematic. She emphasizes the importance of having legal counsel review contracts, even if it costs around $500, as it's worth the investment to identify potential issues.

Dr. Whittington highlights several red flags she missed during her job search, particularly being prevented from speaking with the previous person who held the position. She advises that if an employer discourages contact with previous employees, it's a significant warning sign. She also stresses the importance of getting specific details in writing, such as call distribution, reimbursement, block time, and research time.

The conversation then shifts to Dr. Whittington's experience leaving her toxic job. She explains how she carefully planned her exit, ensuring she had credentials at another hospital before resigning, as she anticipated retaliation. She maintained professionalism throughout the difficult two-month notice period, despite facing verbal abuse and humiliation. She shares how staff members showed their support by organizing a farewell party for her despite management's disapproval.

Dr. Whittington then discusses her second job, which was a positive experience. She only left this position to care for her sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She explains how she took trauma call to pay off her substantial legal fees ($320,000) from her divorce and custody battle, which ultimately made her a better surgeon while helping her become debt-free.

Throughout her journey, Dr. Whittington emphasizes the importance of building a support network or "village." When her initial support system fell apart during her divorce, she rebuilt it with colleagues, friends, and community members. She shares emotional stories of friends who supported her during financial hardship, including a friend who traveled to visit her and treated her to simple pleasures like pedicures and ice cream when she couldn't afford groceries.

Dr. Whittington concludes by discussing her current position at a hospital where she provides care to underserved populations. She expresses her passion for ensuring that patients at safety-net hospitals receive the same standard of care as those at private hospitals. She also mentions her commitment to mentoring medical students, residents, and PhD students, showing them that they can have successful careers despite personal challenges.

The episode ends with Dr. Whittington advocating for subsidized childcare for surgical trainees at a national level, noting that the stress of arranging and paying for childcare can prevent surgeons from focusing on becoming the best they can be professionally.

Chapters

Introduction to the Boss Podcast and Topic of Toxic Jobs ‎ 00:00:00

Dr. Amy Vertries introduces the podcast, explaining that it focuses on lessons not taught in residency for surgeons. She mentions that two of their most downloaded episodes deal with leaving toxic jobs, and introduces Dr. Jennifer Whittington who will share her experience with toxic work environments and how she navigated leaving such situations.

Dr. Whittington's First Job Search and Contract Mistakes ‎ 00:01:13

Dr. Whittington discusses her first job search after residency, explaining she was geographically limited due to custody arrangements for her daughter. She admits she made a critical mistake by not hiring a contract lawyer to review her employment agreement, which later proved to be problematic. A lawyer who reviewed it years later told her "no one reasonable would have allowed you to sign this." She emphasizes the importance of having legal counsel review contracts, even if it costs around $500, as it's worth the investment to identify potential issues.

Red Flags in Job Interviews and Importance of Due Diligence ‎ 00:02:36

Dr. Whittington highlights several red flags she missed during her job search, particularly being prevented from speaking with the previous person who held the position. She advises that if an employer discourages contact with previous employees, it's a significant warning sign. She also stresses the importance of getting specific details in writing, such as call distribution, reimbursement, block time, and research time to avoid being "used and abused."

Identifying Toxic Workplace Environments ‎ 00:09:22

Dr. Whittington describes signs of a toxic workplace, including lack of respect, being condescended to in front of team members, and feeling uncomfortable with the standard of care provided. She shares her father's advice about being able to "look at yourself in the mirror at night" and feel good about what you did that day, noting that in her toxic job, she couldn't say that about the care being provided.

Transitioning Out of a Toxic Job ‎ 00:12:33

Dr. Whittington explains how she carefully planned her exit from her toxic job, ensuring she had credentials at another hospital before resigning, as she anticipated retaliation. She discusses the documentation needed when changing jobs, including licensure verification, risk management documentation, case logs, and letters of recommendation. She emphasizes the importance of having allies who can help navigate this process.

Maintaining Professionalism During Resignation ‎ 00:15:21

Dr. Whittington shares how she maintained professionalism during her difficult two-month notice period, despite facing verbal abuse and humiliation. Her mantra was "I am the consummate professional," which helped her not react negatively to poor treatment. She shares how staff members showed their support by organizing a farewell party for her despite management's disapproval.

Second Job Experience and Family Emergency ‎ 00:18:03

Dr. Whittington discusses her second job, which was a positive experience. She only left this position to care for her sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She explains how the administration was supportive and even held her position as long as possible. She helped interview her replacement and assured them it was a good practice to join.

Financial Challenges and Overcoming Debt ‎ 00:24:56

Dr. Whittington reveals how she took trauma call to pay off her substantial legal fees ($320,000) from her divorce and custody battle. This experience not only helped her become debt-free but also made her a better surgeon by improving her efficiency and thoughtfulness. She explains her fear of debt stemming from her lower-middle-class upbringing as a coal miner's daughter.

Building a Support Network or "Village" ‎ 00:33:10

Dr. Whittington emphasizes the importance of building a support network or "village." When her initial support system fell apart during her divorce, she rebuilt it with colleagues, friends, and community members. She shares emotional stories of friends who supported her during financial hardship, including a friend who traveled to visit her and treated her to simple pleasures like pedicures and ice cream when she couldn't afford groceries.

Current Position and Future Goals ‎ 00:35:26

Dr. Whittington discusses her current position at a hospital where she provides care to underserved populations. She expresses her passion for ensuring that patients at safety-net hospitals receive the same standard of care as those at private hospitals. She also mentions her commitment to mentoring medical students, residents, and PhD students, showing them that they can have successful careers despite personal challenges.

Advocacy for Childcare Support in Medical Training ‎ 00:44:10

Dr. Whittington concludes by advocating for subsidized childcare for surgical trainees at a national level. She notes that the stress of arranging and paying for childcare can prevent surgeons from focusing on becoming the best they can be professionally, and expresses her passion for finding ways to address this issue through medical organizations.

Action Items

Dr. Whittington advised hiring a contract lawyer to review job offers, even if it costs around $500, as it's worth the investment to identify potential issues. ‎ 00:02:52

Dr. Whittington recommended always speaking to the person who previously held the position before accepting a job offer. ‎ 00:04:07

Dr. Whittington suggested going through offer letters point by point with the hiring person, discussing call distribution, reimbursement, block time, and expectations. ‎ 00:03:28

Dr. Whittington advised securing credentials at another hospital before resigning from a toxic job if retaliation is anticipated. ‎ 00:07:14

Dr. Whittington recommended preparing a resignation letter in advance when leaving a difficult workplace situation. ‎ 00:15:36

Dr. Whittington suggested maintaining professionalism when facing verbal abuse or humiliation in the workplace by using a personal mantra like "I am the consummate professional." ‎ 00:16:15

Dr. Whittington advised personally calling patients when transitioning from one practice to another to maintain the relationship and reduce guilt. ‎ 00:21:02

Dr. Whittington advocated for exploring ways to provide subsidized childcare for surgical trainees at a national level through medical organizations. ‎ 00:44:10