UP to 17 complaints of bullying, harassment and intimidation have been made by Town Hall staff at Warrington, a senior councillor has claimed.
Coun Mike Hannon, deputy leader of the Labour opposition group, (pictured right) made the claim in a question 
posed at a meeting of the full council.
He asked: “The issue of staff morale has been raised many times in the past. Would the leader state whether he is happy with staff morale and that there are no complaints outstanding around bullying, harassment and intimidation?”
Council leader Ian Marks (below, left) said staff morale and motivation were of great importance to the council, particularly in times of change, transformation and uncertainty.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to listen to the views of our workforce. We try to communicate and involve the workforce in everything we do. Our informal and formal consultation networks with the trade unions are healthy, well established and effective.
“We believe we have an excellent relationship with them built upon a spirit of co-operation and mutual respect.”
However, Coun Marks said it was only to be expected that in times of change there would be some anxiety and uncertainty among sectors of the workforce. All managers understood and recognised the importance of valuing staff and treating them with dignity and respect.
He added: “Coun Hannon asks about complaints concerning bullying and harassment. As a responsible employer we have robust policies and procedures in place to enable complaints to be heard and facilitate swift and effective resolution.
“With a diverse workforce of 9,500 staff it is only natural that like any employer, from time to time we may 
experience some areas of concern. What is important is that we recognise that complaints can happen and we have mechanisms in place to deal with them.
“At the moment we have four complaints across the council that are currently being handled in accordance with our HR procedures. “
Coun Marks said the chief executive, Diana Terris, had written to Coun Hannon following earlier comments he had made about bullying and intimidation, asking for his help in providing specific details so they could be followed up.
He was disappointed Coun Hannon had not responded. He considered it “downright irresponsible” if he had information but would not pass it on as it was his duty, as an elected member, to give details to the alleged problems could be sorted out.
Coun Marks said sickness and turnover figures were indicators of morale. The council’s sickness figures had reduced year on year and the council had the second lowest absence rates in the North West.
Staff turnover rates had reduced significantly in the last 12 months and staff retention rates had increased. Turnover rates compared favourable against the majority of local authorities.
As part of the council’s commitment to listening to its workforce it would soon be undertaking its annual independent MORI staff survey.
“As part of this survey we will receive confidential feedback from our workforce about what they think about working for the council. As we always do, we will listen and respond accordingly to what our workforce tells us,” said Coun Marks.
” I believe that staff morale within the council is high as all the indicators and signs are positive.”
Coun Hannon said it was his understanding there had been up to 17 grievance issues, but some had been dropped because of pressure being applied on the staff involved.
He said there had been complaints from the trade unions and referred to an email sent to staff which, in itself, had been threatening and intimidating.
Coun Marks said he would expect full-time union officials to write to him if they had no confidence in the situation.
13 Comments
Rather naive to expect people to come forward with complaints when their future is in the balance. I would suggest that the facts are more in line with what Cllr Hannon says. At least that has been my experience over the last couple of years when talking to a cross-section of council employees.
Sort of a “Don’t rock the boat” situation if you still want to work for us.
I think people cry “bully” rather too easily these days. I wonder if all that is happening is just a bit of old-fashioned discipline which today’s sensitive souls are unaccustomed to!
Staff retention higher – may be thats because we are in the middle of a massive recession and people are finding it harder to find new jobs!
Staff sickness – people are worried sick about their futures so are working when ill.
People who are being bullied are the last ones to come forward and make complaints as they are easily intimidated.
Believe me staff morale is rock bottom and lots of people are looking to leave as there is no clear leadership – as the ofsted report being released today will show to one and all.
I don't agree with Onlooker at all and DO agree with Silver Surfer 100%.
I am not aware of the "details" re Coun Hannon comments regarding bullying but can assure you that staff moral is extremely low here.
Regarding staff retention, workers are STILL waiting to find out about their Job Evaulation and the restructure, and if they were to leave, where would they go? There are few jobs around at the moment and no one wants to cut their nose off to spite their face, people have bills to pay, children etc, there is a lot to consider before you jump ship, but if you stay it does not automatically mean you're happy at all so retention figures can not be taken on face value.
Well done Coun Hannon for raising these issues! Keep up the good work. I'd support you if I could but unsure how due to working for the council if you follow 🙂
Town hall insider, I agree with your comments you've written as I typed mine so sorry to duplicate anything 🙂
My comments at Council are based on numerous individuals and groups who have spoke to me with their concerns. I do understand the many who do not wish to be named. But if you have concerns and want to talk in confidence then please do not hesitate to contact me. Tel 571945 or mobile 07710864815
Mike – thanks for your comment. I may be in touch.
I am unhappy about my Council tax paying the salaries of wimps and whingers, who do I complain to?
Mike Hannon
I just this isn’t just another case of some sort of a political point scoring.
‘Bullying, harassment and intimidation’ is a serious matter but it is not the same as ‘low staff morale and motivation’ although the two can of course be linked.
At times of uncertain changes in any workforce staff morale and motivation can be affected for obvious reasons.
However, where there is a case of actual bullying, harassment or intimidation within a work environment it is often very hard for the affected person to have the courage to speak out about it. The reason being that the third party will, in most circumstances, be questioned about the situation. If this person is an immediate boss/close work colleague/or other decision maker then many may feel that their situation could be made worse. As already mentioned with jobs being as hard to come by too then many will hold onto what they already have and keep quite even if they are suffering in some way.
At the end of the day though if someone is a victim of bullying, harassment or intimidation they really do need to do something about it. They need to get as much proof as possible AND THEN put their complaint in. If they don’t the bully will have won…and will go on to bully others in the same way too. !!
What sort of person gets bullied at work and his/her first port of call is a convenient Labour Councillor?
“Diana Terris, had written to Coun Hannon following earlier comments he had made about bullying and intimidation, asking for his help in providing specific details so they could be followed up.
He was disappointed Coun Hannon had not responded.”
The story was posted here at 7.00 this morning and by 13.00 Cllr Hannon had commented on it here on the news pages….. maybe he would like to post some evidence here too to save him the trouble of wring back to Diana??
Baz…. you surely can’t expect evidence or specific allegations (if they do exist) to be posted on a public forum/news page. Would you like to see your grievence spread across the web if you had spoken in confidence to someone !?!?!?
And in all fairness to the Councillor concerned he has posted on here in his own name and has also supplied his contact details for all to see. If it helps someone then that is good.
Many councillors read this site daily (allegidely 🙂 ) but it is very rare for one to have the courage to actually post and comment in their own name 😉