Union hits out after NHS Highland admin staff told they cannot choose to work from home
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Office staff at NHS Highland say they are being forced to go into work against government advice.
Some 120 people working in HR, health and safety and occupational health have been told they could face disciplinary action if they refuse to go to work due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In what has been described as a “thinly-veiled threat” by a union, NHS Highland’s director of HR, Fiona Hogg, told staff they should feel fortunate that they have jobs when others are facing unemployment.
Staff have hit back at the email, suggesting it is bullying – something the health board has vowed to stamp out since an independent inquiry by John Sturrock QC was carried out a year ago into claims bullying has been rife within the organisation for years.
Staff say that many of the administrative jobs based in Assynt House, Larch House and Raigmore Hospital in Inverness can be done remotely.
But line managers have now been told to discipline staff who do not come into the offices to work, as they are technically in breach of contract.
One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Staff don’t know why they need to go into the office to work as everything we do can be done at home. Bullying is not meant to happen in the NHS, but it quite clearly is.”
In the email, Ms Hogg said: “We are fortunate that as NHS key workers we don’t face the financial uncertainty of furloughing or layoffs, which others who run their own business or work in other sectors have as a reality.”
She said staff should come into the office regardless of whether they think it is safe.
“There is no right to work at home. It is not simply about whether you have the equipment and access to log on at home to work remotely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this [not going to work] is refusing to carry out a reasonable request and is a potential breach of conduct.”
Ms Hogg said she would request staff refusing to comply should be disciplined, adding: “I will not hesitate to ask managers to take this step.”
Gavin Smith, the GMB union NHS Highland lead, said: “This is appalling. It’s a thinly-veiled threat to staff: ‘do what we say without questioning or face disciplinary action’. Staff deserve so much better than this. They are giving their best in a very difficult situation.
“Staff are genuinely worried for themselves and it’s not acceptable to turn the screw in this way. Has NHS Highland learned nothing from the Sturrock report into bullying?
“Why is the director of HR’s advice different from the advice on NHS Inform and from the Scottish Government? This advises that staff should work from home wherever possible. And if it’s not possible, then they should explain why.
“Staff need answers to questions. They need to be treated with respect. They don’t need ill-advised threats from the director of HR.”
An NHS Highland spokeswoman said the email was open, honest and compassionate.
“Part of the communication also covered working at home, in response to concerns raised by some managers that their team members were misunderstanding the guidance,” she said.
“The message was quite clear, and in line with national guidance, that we will try and support working from home wherever we can but it is based on operational requirements and so some roles will require people to physically attend the workplace for all or part of the time.
“Where a member of staff cannot physically attend work due to shielding, risk assessment or caring requirements, other arrangements are made but where you can attend work it is entirely reasonable for your manager to ask you to come in.
“The message is fully understanding of the concerns that people may have and talks of the social distancing and hygiene measures in place, as well as the support and tools that are available to colleagues. It also makes it clear that we are the NHS and are relied upon by our communities to deliver the response to Covid-19, whatever job we have.”
Meanwhile, Highland Council has also come under fire after a school cleaner claimed their health was being put at risk after cleaners were ordered back to work last week.
The anonymous cleaner said the council had instructed colleagues to clean empty schools which have been closed for several weeks due to the pandemic.
The cleaner said: “Myself and dozens – if not hundreds – of council employees that are school cleaners are feeling anxious, upset and let down that we are put in this position to choose between our health and the health of our families or going to work when the government is quite clear: unless your job is essential, then stay home.”
