Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Whistleblowing in a carehome

6 replies

LetsBekindx · 20/05/2024 17:50

I work in care home on waking nights. The night team consists of 5 including myself. Only two members of the night shift.
We had a new person start beginning of the year, they have never worked in care before they are on a 6m probation period. 3 out of the 5 of us have had concerns regarding this person, they don't pull their weight on shift, they sleep, the care the residents gets isn't great. Over the last few months the 3 of us at various times have gone to seniors and nothing has been done. The company we work is very unprofessional eg. Whistle blowers haven't been protected in the past etc.
The other day two of the 3 of us went to a senior again to raise our concerns. This senior passed our concerns onto the manager.There is proof of this person being 'lazy' on shift by the way we document.
So I get a phone all from my manager, asking about my concerns, I tell her what ive said previously. I made it clear that I will not be putting anything in writing due to the company not following their own policies on protecting whistleblowers etc. I suggested the person have a supervision and a stern talking too. Whilst on the phone the manager did not make me aware she was documenting it as a official statement to use against this person.
Next day I receive a message from the person in question asking if I had reported them for sleeping. I denied it. Said person then says they have been fired for sleeping on shift and 3 people have reported them. The person in question is now having a meeting with the manager and being shown said statements. My query is can my manager use our phone call were I shared my concernsas a official statement against this person, even though I made it clear what I shared was on a informal basis. I have never been in this situation!!

OP posts:
cheapskatemum · 20/05/2024 19:15

Are you in a union? I can't answer your question, I'm afraid, but a lawyer from Unison (for example, that's the union I belong to) could. I feel for you. Sleeping on shift when you are a waking night worker is a complete no no and if this person has been so obvious about it that 3 people have witnessed it, on presumably at least 3 separate occasions, it's madness that you are the one who is stressing. What if a fire started in the area where they were supposed to be caring for residents?

LetsBekindx · 20/05/2024 19:22

Iam part of a union, i will call tomorrow. Have spoken to DH and he has told me not to worry, as technically i have done nothing wrong as i didn’t make a official report. Also as you have mentioned your team member being asleep and a incident takes place could cause a serious incident where i'am then in trouble! I hope/think I'm over thinking this because its made me uncomfortable

OP posts:
cheapskatemum · 20/05/2024 19:59

I know, it's not nice to tell on people, but it's your job to keep everyone safe, so you're doing the right thing. I hope it all goes well for you, I will be thinking of you.

LoudSnoringDog · 20/05/2024 20:01

What’s the issue if you are telling the truth? The person should be sacked for sleeping

Leftphalange100 · 20/05/2024 20:03

It sounds like the company have done the right thing and taken your concerns seriously?

I think you're worrying over nothing.

Gazelda · 20/05/2024 20:04

You've done the right thing.

But the management seem to have no regard for employee relationship, confidentiality, staff morale etc. If I were them, I'd be ashamed that the team have no faith in the whistleblowing policy.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page