Hospital takes stand after claims of bullying
The chief executive of the Auckland District Health Board appears to have acknowledged workplace bullying at the city’s morgue.
Ailsa Claire wrote to staff on Tuesday night after a Herald on Sunday investigation into claims of bullying at the Auckland City Hospital mortuary. In an email with the subject “CEO News”, Claire said media coverage and direct feedback from employees had led her to reflect that she needed to be clear on her position on “bullying and other unacceptable behaviour in our workplace”.
She said more staff worked in supportive teams and demonstrated the highest standards.
“However, you’ve told us in our recent employee survey that there are circumstances and teams where our people experience bullying or unacceptable behaviour,” she wrote.
“Bullying can have a deep and lasting impact on personal and professional lives, and I am truly sorry if anyone has experienced this in our organisation.
“Over the past few years we have been on a journey together to improve our culture, and this includes the way we respond to bullying and unacceptable behaviour and as importantly to celebrate and appreciate our staff.”
Claire said she, senior management teams and the ADHB were committed to providing a safe and supporting workplace. On May 26 the ADHB would launch its Speak Up programme, designed by employees with union support.
It would help “confront harassment, discrimination and bullying, deal with the issue and remove it”.
Claire said such initiatives were not a “nice to have” or “add on” but were “key organisational priorities”.
“I will not shy away from bullying at Auckland District Health Board,” Claire wrote. “I want all issues surfaced, so we can find a way to resolve them. If bullying is out there — report it. If you’re scared — report it anonymously. If you want to report it to me directly — you can.
“In return I commit to being as open, honest and transparent as I can — which at times is limited by the privacy rights of individuals undergoing disciplinary processes.”
A Herald on Sunday investigation found claims of bullying and concerns about practices, including the treatment of bodies at the mortuary.
Worksafe has ordered the ADHB to hand over files relating to a formal complaint from one staff member. Another staff member, who has left the job, lodged a complaint with the Employment Relations Authority.
Both claim they were bullied out of their jobs in the mortuary.
ADHB chairman Dr Lester Levy addressed those claims at yesterday’s monthly ADHB meeting.