Nottingham City Council Silences Welfare Advice Row

Sarah on Rightsnet: (page now removed) "The take-over of our Welfare Rights Service by a benefit provider caused most team members to have real concerns about impartiality, confidentiality etc and clearly compromised our own professional integrity. As union steward, I wanted to challenge the takeover and there was subsequently a group grievance about the decision. I was interested in taking the issue to judicial review. The Union was never consulted about any of this and neither were team members. The decision had been kept from the team for a month (the time between being announced and taking effect), until it had actually taken effect and so this meant there was no opportunity for us to challenge it as a team before it had happened. Staff were told not to speak about the issue (I quote email sent to team) "If you choose to disobey the above instruction I strongly advise you to get your own advice first. If you want my opinion I would definitely say keep quiet". It was never either procedurally or legally challenged by managers (that I am aware of). I believe that this 'order of silence' from management was because the council knew its actions were underhand and would be very unpopular with claimants. The postings were made last September but it has taken this long for them to finally be able to get rid of me. The case will be going to internal appeal and ET and I did promise to keep people posted."

Sarah Roy was fired from her job over the incident. She apparently received a letter threatening her with legal action, even before she had been spoken to by one of her managers.