Bosses probe RBS ‘culture of bullying’
Whistleblower accuses bank of intimidation
ROYAL Bank of Scotland have launched an investigation into bullying following claims from a whistleblower that harassment is rife at the state-backed lenders.
Staff are subjected to persistent intimidation, threats and humiliation amid a “culture of bullying”, according to allegations in private emails.
The claims are linked to the troubled Amethyst project, which has become the focus of a wide-ranging investigation by RBS and involves two senior managers.
It is claimed that workers on the project faced a two-pronged attack, one based on personal intimidation and another in which they were forced to change the outcomes of cases to manipulate figures sent to the Financial Conduct Authority. One source at the bank with direct knowledge of the matter said: “There is a persistent and normally deliberate misuse of power or position to intimidate, humiliate or undermine.
“It is all mental intimidation, manipulating you, by saying, ‘If you don’t do this, you will lose your job. Do it our way, even if it is wrong, as we are in charge.
“Nothing has yet been done about the individuals. This is then interlinked with the overall bullying culture within the project.”
The whistleblower, who has reported the alleged abuse to chief executive Ross McEwan and his heir apparent Alison Rose, has also cast doubt on the investigation being carried out by RBS, which he claimed is not independent.
The Amethyst project was set up to carry out complex investment reviews of ISAs, funds, bonds, pensions and tax planning products.
An RBS spokesman said: “RBS take whistleblowing very seriously.
“The bank were made aware of a series of allegations in July, of which this is one, and are investigating them thoroughly.
“Appropriate action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated.”