Care staff sacked after baking and sleeping at workplace

FIVE members of care staff were sacked by a South Wales council during the past year after it was proved they slept on the job and used elderly care home facilities to do their laundry and baking.

The annual 2017-18 whistleblowing report for Rhondda Cynon Taf council revealed this was one of the complaints made through the authority’s whistleblowing procedure in 2017-18.

The human resources department at the council received a letter telling them about the incident and then launched an investigation along with the service manager.

The allegations were found to be true, which led to the dismissal of all five members of staff involved.

The annual whistleblowing report due to go before Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s audit committee says workers with serious concerns about any aspect of the council’s work are encouraged to come forward and voice those concerns and that the council encourages workers to participate without fear of reprisals.

It adds: “Whilst all staff are required to follow relevant policies and procedures put in place by the council, unfortunately there are a very small number of instances where some individuals decide to contravene these arrangements.”

It goes on to say it is difficult to fully know how effective the council’s whistleblowing arrangements are in terms of awareness across all workers and whether all workers feel comfortable to report potential concerns.

The report states that the fact that whistleblowers have come forward during 2017-18 indicates a general awareness.

A council spokesman said there is little more they can say at this time due to the ongoing disciplinary procedure.

He said: “The council’s whistleblowing procedures resulted in a number of concerns being investigated formally within one of the council’s care facilities.

“This matter is currently subject to formal disciplinary procedures.”

The council’s audit committee were set to discuss the report at a meeting on Monday, April 30.