Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68012
POLICING PROFESSIONALISM I've heard that a local massage therapist brags about being better than the other massage therapists in town. People say he makes negative remarks about our competence to his clients and to prospective clients who call for information. He has had the same training as the rest of us and as far as I know has no legitimate claim to being more skilled. I don't know him very well and I'm not sure how—or even whether—to approach him about this. I wonder if I should just let it go. C.S, Raleigh, North Carolina Dear C.S., I understand your concerns, both about your colleague's behavior and about how to deal with him. First, let's get one thing straight: it's both unprofessional and unethical to criticize one's colleagues in public and to claim to be more skilled than they are. Even if this therapist does have more training or experience than other massage therapists, it would be unprofessional for him to compare himself to his colleagues. On the other hand, he could certainly advertise or speak of his own qualifications and assets. For instance, he could say to a prospective client, "I've been certified as a sports massage therapist and have practiced for five years," but it would be inappropriate to give out the information that the massage therapist down the street has had no such training and is relatively green. However, in this case, the therapist doesn't have extraordinary qualifications, so he has no call to boost himself above others doing similar work. If the rumors are true, what he's doing is both unprofessional and unethical.* This brings up a larger question about how we relate to our colleagues and what responsibilities we have toward each other. visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 117