New Boss- Possible bullying and changes to comtracts

[roygoodbeat]

Hi. Need some advice. We work in a care home environment. There is a good team there but some problems have occurred with a new boss.

 

Background. We are part of two homes. The main building which provides 24/7 care, and ourselves that provide more independent living. Both have been run seperatly until now. The main building can be heavy going, whilst ours provides care taylored to the individual. Both have separate teams of staff and both are on a different rota.

 

Change of boss. A new boss for both the homes started. At the time we passed a recent CQC inspection, whilst the main building had some minor issues to resolve. However, there were some minor drug errors from agency nurses at night at our place. The boss was livid and said he would make changes. The nursing side is the responsibility of higher management and is not provided by the care workers.

 

But then: The boss held a meeting with the care workers and his tone was very harsh towards the care workers. Those that attended the meeting felt he was blaming all the care staff and nothing was mentioned about the fact it was agency RGN's and the responsibility of senior management. The care staff have never been involved with this side.

 

As a result the staff have experienced the following. In addition he has made additional changes which is destroying the good team we have. Many of us are also worried about the needs of the service users and he is also implementing changes to our contracts:

 

1) The boss is clearly showing discrimination towards the women at the home. In addition he keeps having a go at our overseas staff who live in the UK.

 

2) Changes of working shifts. An additional late shift has been introduced without the staff consent. Whilst they have changed the hours to make them more social after we had a meeting, the consultation period was cut short and not everyone had enough notice to attend.

 

3) Compulasory training. Whilst we all agreed to training, we now have an additional task to perform with the nurses to ensure that they give the correct medication. This benefits the service users. However, we all received threatening e mails stating that unless we all attended, staff would be shifted to our main building. We were given 4 days notice. Then the dates were changed. Not everyone could attend and reluctantly they have agreed another date.

 

4) Poor attitude of boss. He has stated to a number of people, including myself he does not care about the staff here. He is often rude and blunt to everyone, questioning if we have the right motives. There is always an unpleasant atmosphere when he visits.

 

5) Change of pay date. With our last wage slip, a letter was enclosed changing our pay date from 24 to 27. Some of us have already have done overtime expecting it to be paid on the 24th of next month. In addition some of us have problems with paying the rent/ bills as payment for these are due on the 24th. One person has had their rent date changed but they have to pay another 4 days rent which they cannot afford. We were not asked about this change but I understand that our contract allows the employer to change our conditions.

 

6) Change of workplace/ rota. We have been told that our rota will be changed. We are now expected to work at the main building some weeks, which is different hours, type of work, and is more difficult to get to. The rota we are being told, will include compulsory shifts regardless if we have childcare commitments, college or other work commitments. We are concerned as many of the residents have individual needs and do not want different staff who do not know them. Their quality of care may suffer.

 

Before the bosses arrival we had a great team and we were praised by the CQC for our level of care. Whilst there were some issues with the agency nurses, the care workers are being targeted. All our hard work appears to being dismantled and we all feel that he has no regards to us and we feel that he is bullying the team. I understand that at least two staff, including the main building have had run ins with him and they are even instructing their solicitors. It appears his behaviour is not just limited to our site. Many of us are not with a union but they are assisting them too.

 

Any urgent advice would be needed on any of the points above.

[rebel11]

Hi Roy

 

You should raise an Informal Grievance raising the points below. If that is not possible then raise a Joint Grievance by all employees, this doesn't have to be raised with the new manager, it can be raised at Human Resources or director level. It should be done in writing, send it Recorded Delivery. If this effects all employees at the home then support should be garnished from all your colleagues. It is difficult to know what the managements reaction would be, but they should communicate and consult with all employees, it makes them more productive.

 

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1670

 

Are you in a Union?

[Emmzzi]

What does your contract say about location, hours of work and duties please?

[roygoodbeat]

some have contracts, some like myself have not received these (over 1 month late so far)

 

Will have to check what the contracts say.

[Emmzzi]

Yes - good steer as to which fights are most worth having.