Trust that’s been blown apart in battle on bullies
employee rights, spouting fine words without backing them up, a betrayal of trust.
Too often, that’s exactly what’s going on. More than 100 clinicians from NHS Highland have come forward to demand action on the “bullying culture” within the health board, with some doctors claiming a “culture of fear and intimidation” has prevailed for a decade.
New Health Minister Jeane Freeman has – commendably – launched an independent investigation into why staff have felt unable to speak out.
We could hazard an educated guess, though. Another whistleblower, Shahmir Sanni, might be able to give her clues.
Earlier this year, Sanni blew the whistle on unlawful Brexit referendum spending by Vote Leave, only to find himself (illegally) sacked from his job at the right-wing pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance and then “outed” as gay in a Downing Street statement.
Asked what advice he’d give to other whistleblowers, he said: “Honestly, don’t do it. I have been stripped of everything.”
Who could blame him for that response but where does his experience leave everyone else who witnesses wrongdoing or suffers harassment?
Ceri revealed her ordeal in the hope it will inspire change, radical change, so no one is too afraid to complain and no worker is at the mercy of an untrustworthy system. She’s brave to do so.
If our workplaces were designed to listen and respond, whistleblowers wouldn’t need guts. Because they’d have nothing to fear.