Concerns over Highland Council whistle-blowing policy
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Worries about workplace bullying have not been included in an updated policy on whistle-blowing drafted by Highland Council.
A paper containing the plan has been submitted to the council’s audit and scrutiny committee “with a view to recommending its approval” before it goes before the full council next month.
Despite NHS Highland still dealing with the fallout from a bullying scandal that only came to light because of whistle-blowers, the council’s policy paper says whistle-blowing concerns criminal offences, health and safety dangers, damage to the environment or a deliberate attempt to cover up of any those points.
It goes on to say whistle-blowing does not cover “less serious matters”, suggesting these should be dealt with through discussions with line managers and using internal policies such as for bullying and harassment.
In the case of NHS Highland, however, many employees and former employees claimed they had suffered after raising worries about bullying internally.
Inverness councillor Ron MacWilliam says the proposed council policy does not go far enough and the local authority needs to look at appointing an independent provider to deal with whistle-blowers confidentially and impartially.
“Whistle-blowing is the ultimate safety valve for any large organisation,” he said. “A proper process serves as a protection from malpractice, fraud, theft and undue financial risk.
“It also protects employees from poor management and indignities in the workplace such as bullying and harassment.
“Highland Council employees provide vital public services day in day out and they deserve to have a system they feel confidence in whenever they need to report that something is wrong.
“I’m disappointed to see a paper coming before committee that seems not to understand the principles at stake.
“This council administration likes to talk the jargon of openness and transparency yet they go to extreme lengths to resist any measure that would actually make the organisation open and transparent.”
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