Care Home Workers Win Battle Over Jobs

CARE home workers are celebrating today after successfully claiming they were forced from their jobs. The 14 staff had all worked at The Dales Rest Home in West Kirby until a few days after it was sold to a new owner.

An employment tribunal ruled they were discriminated against or improperly sacked by new boss Kate Armstrong-Shone.

Now all of them stand to receive compensation.

Former manager Leann Chrisp had told the tribunal her new boss immediately introduced a new management team and ordered all staff to work new 12-hour shifts.

Unhappy staff held a mass walkout which led to a disturbance outside the home in Marine Park to which police had to be called.

Ms Chrisp, ex-deputy manager Morag Devoy and Jennifer Hughes were later accused of mistreating pensioners and referred to care authorities.

But two separate investigations into the claims at the home in Marine Park came to nothing.

Workers who lost their jobs at the home took their claims of unfair or constructive dismissal to an employment tribunal.

After the panel ruled in their favour, Ms Chrisp said: “We are all relieved this traumatic ordeal is over after nine long months. We have all suffered emotionally and financially and one person even lost their home.

“Three of us had the added upset of being referred to POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) for alleged abuse of our former residents. An investigation was concluded and no action was taken.

“We had a lot of support from our families, friends, outside professionals and also residents’ families who believed in us from the beginning. We would like to thank them all.”

The tribunal also ordered the care home to pay extra money – above that claimed – to reflect its failure to follow procedures.

Company secretary Margaret Armstrong-Shone said: “We’re devastated. We’ve only had the business for 10 months. I don’t know where they expect us to get the money from.”