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Workplace Probe Harm Threatens Public Health
13 Jul
Summary
- Flawed workplace investigations cost the UK economy £28.5bn annually.
- Poorly handled proceedings harm staff wellbeing and organizational trust.
- Public health doctors urge treating investigations as a public health threat.
Public health doctors have identified poorly handled disciplinary investigations in the UK as a significant threat to public health, comparable to issues like smoking or unhealthy diets. These investigations cost the UK economy an estimated £28.5 billion annually, primarily due to dismissals and resignations. The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) asserts that the current processes often prioritize procedure over people, causing substantial harm to individual wellbeing, trust, and employee retention.
A concerning case highlighted the severity of the issue, involving a personal assistant at the Treasury who died by suicide after facing disciplinary proceedings based on an anonymous complaint. This incident has prompted the Treasury to implement new disciplinary procedures. The FPH advocates for treating disciplinary investigations as a last resort, inspired by an approach pioneered by NHS Wales' Aneurin Bevan University health board, which successfully reduced investigations and saved significant costs.
Experts from Acas and the TUC support the FPH's call for better workplace resolution. Acas chief executive Niall Mackenzie emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and reduced stress of informal resolution. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak stresses the importance of employers collaborating with trade unions to support workers from the earliest stages, preventing issues from escalating to formal procedures.
