Tribunal backs sacked Bupa care workers` health and safety concerns

Six former care workers at a Bupa care home had reasonable
grounds to complain to the local authority after the home manager
failed to act on their concerns about abuse of residents, an
employment tribunal has ruled.

The care workers had told the tribunal they felt forced to
resign after ‘blowing the whistle’ on abuse of
residents at Isard House in Bromley, Kent.

They won their claim that health and safety regulations had been
breached at the home. But their claims of unfair dismissal, breach
of contract and deductions from wages were dismissed by the
tribunal.

Peter Ludford, director of Bupa Care Homes, said there were
lessons to be learned from the case.

“We regularly review our management policies and administration
procedures, support staff though training and development, and
actively promote our whistle blowing policy,” he said.