Orlando Health Silences All Facebook Fans

I wanted to let you know that it appears Orlando Health has decided since they can't get away with discriminating on their Facebook fan page, they have blocked all fans from sharing any comments, be them supporting the status quo or critical of the organization.

In one sense this is good news, since it is not right for them to have been silencing some and not all. In another sense it is bad news, since they are doing as they have been this whole time - trying to suppress the truth about the organization - that Orlando Health is a great place to work for some people and an oppressive environment for others.

Many Orlando Health employees, patients and patient family members have reached out and contacted me since I have started sharing information on this blog. If I were Orlando Health, I'd do the right thing soon to avoid being dragged into a very public light for the discrimination and censorship they have pressured onto people - not just on Facebook, but every day in this top down business environment.

One thing you may be able to do still is add your thoughts to the Facebook discussion page Orlando Health opened on the waaaaay back pages of their Facebook group about domestic partner benefits (one of a number of problems addressed in the proposal that started all of this - the well reasoned proposal Orlando Health employees presented to 'leaders' that was ignored).

If you have been following the Facebook part of this story, you will know that Orlando Health decided to create the discussion page to address the domestic partner benefits part of this much bigger discussion. But regardless, they opened up a forum to discuss their own oppression. Take advantage of that. If you are fearful of being retaliated against, ask fellow employee Mike Cherry how he is being treated, since he openly provided critical feedback on this discussion page. If he can do it - so can you - or at least, you can encourage others from the community to stand up and add their voices.

As others have done, let me know what your concerns at Orlando Health are. You have my commitment to keep your identity strictly confidential, as I have done with everyone who has come to me in private to date.

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Only Marrieds and Straights Given Full Benefits Here

Orlando Health Fights Back!

PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST OF TODAY BEFORE READING THIS ONE.

As a direct result of people defending my right to speak about the need for Orlando Health to be more culturally competent today - just now Orlando Health updated it's status and created a new policy of how it wants to control the public's interaction with their Facebook page. Let's break this down for all to see what they are REALLY doing here...

Orlando Health Post - Made today at 3:29 pm after four people have defended my position that Orlando Health should not have removed me from having the ability to share the message of inclusion that 215 have voiced to date through the online petition supporting a more inclusive environment at Orlando Health:

"Our fan page is 5 weeks old – and we’re thrilled at how quickly it’s growing. In response to that growth, we’ve created an etiquette policy for our fan page. We’ve posted it under the notes tab for you to review. It details our commitment to protecting the integrity of this community. We encourage all of our fans to be relevant and respectful to the community as a whole. Thanks for being a fan of Orlando Health."

Here is what the policy they uploaded at 3:06 pm today states. Note the sections bolded with my response below:

"Facebook is a place where Orlando Health fans can engage the organization and each other. Orlando Health is responsible for protecting the integrity of the community on our fan page. The page is designed to be a safe place to share information, ideas, stories and even differing opinions. However, there are some general rules of conduct that we expect our fans to follow when participating on this page.

Here they are:
• Posts may not be to the detriment or disturbance of the community or its members.
• Posts may not be abusive, defamatory, obscene, fraudulent, harassing, deceptive or misleading, solicitous or promotional in nature, or in violation of any law or regulation.
• The topics covered on the page must be relevant and respectful to our community as a whole. Any posts representing niche messaging will be reviewed for relevance and respect, and may be removed.
• Fans may not post advertisements, chain letters, or pyramid schemes, and may not post the same note more than once, or ‘spam’.
• All grievances with the organization should be filed through the proper channels.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations must be followed at all times. Posts should never contain another person’s full or partial personal health information.
• Team members of Orlando Health should refer to the Orlando Health social networking policy for more information and further guidelines.

Orlando Health reserves the right to do the following:
• Remove communications that are in violation of the Orlando Health Facebook Etiquette policy.
• Block a user from participating if that user’s behavior disrupts the community.

The comments posted by fans to this page do not represent the opinions of Orlando Health, its officers, directors, or affiliates."

My response:

1. Orlando Health is blocking out my differing opinion. That is against their own knee jerk reaction policy.

2. Everything that I have shared on the Orlando Health Facebook Page has been relevant an respectful to the community as a whole for injustice anywhere - IS injustice everywhere.

3. What pray tell are the proper channels one must navigate for Orlando Health to follow through with the proposal presented to leadership that calls for the organization to offer domestic partner benefits, create a diversity office and come into the 21st century in regard to being culturally competent.

4. I wonder what the 'team member' social networking policy is? I wonder if it includes team members only being allowed to say nice things about the place they work. Sounds very similar to the mandatory anti-union meetings the hospital is making all employees sit through.

Please continue posting what's in your heart and mind on Orlando Health's Facebook Page.

Orlando Health - you put up a transparent fight - but sooner or later you will have to concede - Equality ALWAYS wins.

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

Former Orlando Health employee and current donor

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Organizational Oppression - A One Man Show

It is official. The play I am writing detailing this whole movement has been selected by the Orlando International Fringe Festival for their 2010 season.

Organizational Oppression - A One Man Show is a one-act play that details one person's journey as an emerging activist. Through the very personal true story, I will share how much of an impact oppression in the workplace had on my life and why I choose to stand up against it in such a public and artistic way. I hope you will join me in May, 2010 at the Orlando International Fringe Festival!

A portion of the proceeds will benefit future performances of this play in other cities where this kind of oppression exists. Another portion of the proceeds will benefit outreach efforts to continue encouraging Orlando Health to embrace the calls to action in the ignored proposal and petition. And yet another portion will benefit my bank account. I'm a poor grad student living off student loans. It's the sad state of education in this country, being financially penalized to further ourselves. I digress.

If Orlando Health or anyone tries to thwart this play's production - whether it be by subversive means or direct affronts I am fully prepared to engage in legal action.

To learn more about the Orlando International Fringe Festival visit:

www.orlandofringe.org

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

PS Orlando Health employees will receive a $2 discount to the show.