Reb Gregg Outdoor Liability Law: Writings

Writings

A Staffing Issue
by Charles R. Gregg

At a recent gathering of some knowledgeable folk in our industry, the question was asked: “What is the toughest issue facing your program.” A clear consensus was the program of adequate staffing - that is, adequate to meet a variety of expectations of clients and behavior and health issues.

One member of the group expressed concern that medical forms were not being filled out truthfully, even by doctors - a circumstance which adds to the burden on the staff and reflects the non-alignment of expectations.

And in some jurisdictions, group size requirements are requiring more staff to be hired, adding to the problem.

The proper screening, training, continuing education, supervision and effective review of staff is critical to the success of any program. Even the best staff, however, will be challenged by students who want something different than the goals set by the program. Or who have under-informed the program regarding physical and emotional fitness for the venture.

The program has some responsibility for declaring its goals and making clear that failure to cooperate in achieving those goals will result in separation; and the goals of the program must be re-announced and reinforced continually by staff in the field.

The program also has an obligation to screen reasonably for physical, emotional and behavior issues which, even with reasonable adjustment and accommodation, can distract staff from their usual and proper duties, and create safety risks.

We can appreciate the recognition that adventures of the sort we offer - whether into pristine wilderness or foreign cultures - offer important therapeutic and educational opportunities. But as this becomes more clear to the public, we are more apt to be manipulated by a population which will go to surprising lengths to get into those environments.

Even in the face of clearly articulated goals - which may have nothing to do with behavior modification, for example - students and their parents are enrolling to cure this or that malady, shake this or that habit, achieve new understandings of family relationships, give the parents a breather, and a variety of other issues.

The burden of dealing with ordinary adolescent, post-adolescent and young adult issues is daunting enough, in itself. Add gender-related misconduct; attention, eating and other disorders; a pharmacy-shelf of medications with uncertain side effects; and an expectation of not only a safe time but a good time, free of disappointments and discomfort - and you have an extraordinary challenge for even the most talented administrative and field staffs.

We will never fully eliminate the problem I describe, but here are a few suggestions for managing them:

Be sure that your program has appropriately aligned its mission (the “why” of what you do) with the actual activities and the degree of risk to which the clients are being exposed. If you do not have clarity yourself, it is not fair to expect that your clients will.
Publish and republish these goals and expectations, including the consequences of students detracting from rather than adding to their accomplishment - separation, loss of tuition, etc.
Engage the potential client or student in conversations prior to acceptance so that your admissions staff can get a “feel” for any misunderstandings or special issues.
Carefully develop (with professional input) your medical and other forms to allow you to anticipate and screen out physical, emotional and behavior issues. Creative and subtle inquiries, including certain “markers,” reflected in background information can assist staff in discovering potential problems.
Train your staff regarding the student or client population with which yo deal- including developing behavior trends, medications, etc. If you deal with an adolescent population, for example, consult with a professional who deals regularly with this age group.
Finally, do not lose the opportunity to learn from failure. Create a culture which deals positively with mistakes and allows the organization to learn from them.

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