Tribunal: Health manager criticised in ruling “no longer works for the States”

Friday 01 April 2016

A Health manager criticised in an Employment Tribunal ruling that found a physiotherapist was constructively dismissed is no longer working for the States of Jersey, the Health department has confirmed.

The manager – referred to only as PP in the ruling – was criticised in the ruling, which upheld the constructive dismissal claim and awarded a payout of £18,663 to physiotherapist Mrs S Maclagan.

Mrs Mclagan, the tribunal heard, had been “highly regarded and very proficient” before the new manager came to the Health department, but felt bullied by her new boss and let down by the department’s handling of her complaints to the point where she took time off stress, and eventually resigned.

The new manager also told a meeting of staff from the ward where they worked that “patients would rather kill themselves than come to [the ward]” – a statement that Health say does not represent their own views, or the views of the physiotherapy service.

They say that the feedback that they get from clients reflects the excellent care provided.

In their statement, Health said that the manager had resigned from his job midway through a review meeting during his probationary period.

They said: “The manager referred to no longer works for the Health and Social Services department.

“Any views they expressed do not represent those of the department or the physiotherapy service.

“The alleged behaviour and attitude of the manager, exacerbated by their non-compliance with HR policy and advice, was legitimately criticised by the Tribunal.

“The Health and Social Services department does not find such a management style to be acceptable.

“The rehabilitation of patients in order for them to return to their lives in the community is one of the Department’s key aims. We regularly get very good feedback from patients regarding the excellent care they’ve received.”

Asked for the circumstances of the departure, they added: “Regular review meetings are undertaken during a new member of staff’s probationary period. The manager concerned resigned from his post during a review meeting.”