Union reports complaints against association chief executive to regulator
Cestria probes staff grievances
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Staff at a north east housing association have contacted the housing regulator about alleged bullying at the organisation.
Trade union the GMB submitted several statements from staff at 4,300-home Cestria Community Housing, based in Chester-le-Street to the Tenant Services Authority alleging they were bullied or witnessed bullying by the organisation’s chief executive, Ian Broughton.
The organisation’s board has commissioned an investigation, understood to be being carried out by a firm of solicitors, to examine complaints by staff.
The TSA said it will agree the scope and terms of the investigation.
Stephen Thompkins, regional organiser for GMB, said the union thought the chief executive should be suspended during the investigation.
‘We are disappointed that this has not happened but we have no choice but to let the investigation take its course and hope it will get to the bottom of what has been going on,’ he said.
A spokesperson for the TSA said the regulator has no ‘statutory remit’ to intervene in individual employment matters. She said: ‘We are aware of the complaints that have been made and will agree the scope and terms of the independent investigation that is being commissioned by Cestria’s board.’
Paul Tinnion, chair of Cestria Community Housing’s, said Mr Broughton and his team had been doing a ‘very good job during a difficult time of change at the organisation’.
He said: ‘Like any transfer organisation we have had to adapt to new ways of working in order to deliver a first class service to our tenants. As a consequence we are investigating a number of complaints made by some members of staff.’
Mr Tinnion confirmed that the TSA had been in contact with Cestria’s board and said it was ‘content with the action we are taking’. He added: ‘There is no reason to suspend anyone in relation to these matters.’
Mr Broughton declined to comment.
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Readers' comments (49)
Anonymous | 30/07/2010 9:45 am
like other poorly performing organisations - Cestria have to deal with staff who dont like being told to change. It was a joke the service that used to be provided by these people - get a good loook at yourselves and start to earn your wages. Dont be defensive get real!
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 10:41 am
The author of the first comment either doesn't know what he/she is talking about or is actually Ian Broughton. The staff at Cestria generally are extremely dedicated and hard working, professional people who have to deal with a dictatorial style from senior management/exec team. I expect more details to come out over the coming weeks.
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kass | 30/07/2010 11:46 am
I would not be surprised if findings prove this to be yet another example of bullies and manipulators running housing associations
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 1:44 pm
Kass - do you have previous 'examples' as you quote, or are you spewing your usual hatred of everything housing related?
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 4:40 pm
Kass is correct in this instance, and it extends to ALMOs too.
For once I will use the anon button as I still am in fear of retribution.
Outsiders may not be aware but a swift way to stop being able to work in this sector is to complain about management bullying.
I have been directly bullied in both an RSL and an ALMO.
In the case of the latter, several other staff have chosen to move on as a result of the bullying executive (who is also a RSL Board Member). Complaints have resulted in persecution of the staff rather than action against the bully.
In the case of the RSL the bullying Director actually headed the investigative panel that ended up advising for the dismissal of the staff member.
Colleagues have experienced bullying at their previous workplaces too, making clearly not an isolated activity.
There is no excuse for the behaviour of senior staff. It is true though that pressures to reduce costs, increase performance, avoid takeover and merger etc must all play their part.
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 4:58 pm
The bullies are there and real. The thrive on fear and despair, making lives a living hell. Sadly, from experience, Kass is correct to assume senior placed bullies within housing.
IH could do a service a dig into this, but it is impossible to complain against senior staff in this sector and still work in it.
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 7:31 pm
There have been staff suspended from Cestria for far less, and some even dismissed. Does this mean that Mr Broughton et al are exempt from the rules which apply to everyone else? Perhaps, given his defence of the man and the situation and the fact he obviously considers suspension unnecessary, perhaps the Chair should now consider his own position?
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 8:21 pm
Commenting on the first anonymous post. How do you know how other organisations are performing, the characteristics of cestria's staff and the standard of service they supplied before transfer? For all we know you could be a disgruntled tenant or a former employee who could'nt cope with the mental or physical strains that may come working for such an organisation! Obviously these allegations have some substance or SEVERAL would not have been submitted! My suprise comes with the boards decision not to suspend the accused which in my opinion shows they either have no backbone or are afraid of the accused! From my experiance, suspension is inevitable whilst an investigation is ongoing!
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 8:36 pm
The investigation will no doubt be a whitewash. Events have demonstrated a certain amount of collusion with the board/chief exec.
This would suggest that there needs to be a truly independant investigation, I doubt the TSA are up to the job though.
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Anonymous | 30/07/2010 8:57 pm
When performance dips there is usually a reason. Surely the whole organisation can't be resistant to change? Speaking out against bullies takes an incredible amount of courage, especially when the bullying comes from the very top of the organisation as is alleged here. I hope the investigation is thorough and impartial and the outcome offers some reassurance to those involved.
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