Manager loses claim after refusing to sack whistleblower

A social services manager who refused to discipline a
whistleblower has lost his claim of unfair dismissal,
writes Alex Dobson.

Neil White claimed he had been asked to carry out ‘morally
indefensible’ instructions by his council bosses.

White was sacked last summer for gross misconduct after refusing
to discipline Beverley Bush, who had expressed concern over alleged
misconduct at the council-run Hazelcroft residential home for older
people, where she worked

But an employment tribunal in Bristol heard that White had
failed to carry out orders, and divulged confidential
information.

A recent highly critical joint review of Cardiff social services
described the handling of a council investigation into allegations
of misconduct at Hazelcroft as an example “of all that is
dysfunctional within the authority”.

White stood by his decision not to discipline his colleague and
said that he was not surprised by the findings of the tribunal. He
said he had no intention of appealing.

A council spokesperson said the authority would not comment on
White’s case.

He is the second senior social worker to be dismissed by Cardiff
in recent months. Charles Faber appeared on a TV documentary
outlining his fears for the safety of children cared for by social
services in Cardiff. He too was sacked by the council, and lost
his claim for unfair dismissal in December last year.