[Mrs. Mania]

One of my favorite things to do when someone dies at work is to grab their toiletries before they hit the trash. Especially patients whose families took good care of them. Bath and body works is my favorite score. I give them to less fortunate patients whose families never come and those who hold odor. The only bad part is that I feel like a real creep rifling through drawers in the dark before they are cleaned out. Why trash these premium products though!

[hvert]

It's a good idea, as long as it doesn't put your job at risk. Would it be less creepy if you could get permission to do it? If it was like a project that everyone did, more patients would have access to those products, too!

[mcl6136]

Last week, my therapist told me that "creepy" was another word for no boundaries. It struck me as totally profound.

The reason that you feel this is "creepy" is because you are breaking some boundaries. Rifling through the doors in the dark is the sneaky, surreptitious thing that you feel you have to do, but you're actually doing some kind of Robin Hood thing Talking about the "score" of the top-drawer products makes this very obvious to me.

Can you write a note about doing this, and post it somehow, so that if you are "caught" its not a big deal? Can you keep the lights on? This is causing you stress because you are violating your own boundaries for proper behavior and that is never a good deal in the long run.

Deal with this up front, in the light of day. that's my opinion and just one person's opinion anyway.

IMHO

[Mrs. Mania]

Originally Posted by mcl6136

Last week, my therapist told me that "creepy" was another word for no boundaries. It struck me as totally profound.

The reason that you feel this is "creepy" is because you are breaking some boundaries. Rifling through the doors in the dark is the sneaky, surreptitious thing that you feel you have to do, but you're actually doing some kind of Robin Hood thing Talking about the "score" of the top-drawer products makes this very obvious to me.
IMHO

I really like this explanation. I do think I'm breaking boundaries. People steal from the residents who are living �� Even though I take products to be trashed from people who have passed, I don't want to be thrown in with the no good nicks here. Especially because the scenario for myself and them is entirely different.

Do you ask permission from the families before you do this? Or are these items left after the families have taken their things? Definitely would make a difference.

Okay. I read your initial post again. You are going through these patients things and taking them before the family has come to pack up the belongings of their family member who has just died? That is NOT okay. Please don't do this. That is theft, plain and simple. If the family leaves it behind, fine. Otherwise, no one has the right to take those items without the family's permission. No matter how good your intentions are, this is just wrong.

[Mrs. Mania]

These items are all destined for the trash. The facility packs all expired residents belongings. The family just picks up the box. If they even asked for their toiletries, they would be told toiletries are to be disposed of Even if they have not been opened yet. It's similar to the facility having to destroy medicines. Perfectly fine, sometimes unopened, very expensive medication that other less fortunate residents could benefit from. I've assisted packing, other workers take items home or get a sick pleasure out of pitching stuff while reciting the companies policy. A $ 12 bottle of lotion isn't going into the trash on my watch is all I know. Even if I have to sneak....in the dark ...before the box is packed.