Hospice workers walk out over staff changes
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TEN volunteers at the Highland Hospice shop in Thurso have walked out in protest over a restructuring plan which has resulted in the loss of the local manager’s post.
The volunteers are angry at the changes which will replace the five managers at 11 charity stores throughout the Highlands with two area managers.
There will also be one supervisor at each shop as well as one at a centralised warehouse in Inverness.
Management travelled to Caithness to explain the restructuring to staff in Thurso and Wick and claim the move is necessary to try and ensure the organisation is "adequately funded to meet the needs of the Highland community".
But the changes angered a number of the volunteers in Thurso and they have decided to walk out.
The shop is currently operating with Highland Hospice’s retail manager and the remaining volunteers.
One local volunteer, who wished to remain anonymous, said about 10 people have left. She accused management in Inverness of having "a high-handed attitude" towards staff and helpers in Thurso, and described the new plan as "making no sense".
She pointed out the shop is one of the best run and is among the top fundraisers in the North.
"I don’t know how they can justify that decision, especially when they acknowledged the work and fundraising which is done in the Thurso shop," she told the Caithness Courier yesterday.
The woman, who has worked as a volunteer in the town’s store for seven years, praised the contribution of former manager Johanna Geddes, who ran the Thurso and Wick shops but has now left her job.
It is understood she was offered but declined a supervisor’s post which would have resulted in fewer hours and reduced pay.
"I have written to Highland Hospice to express my dismay at what has happened and the way Johanna was treated. The work she did was phenomenal and way beyond the call of duty.
"Management seemed to have little concern or thought for her or the people who help out at the shop and what has been achieved there," said the volunteer.
"I think they should have let us know about the changes they were planning and asked us how we felt about them rather than just telling us what is going to happen. That was totally wrong."
Andrew Leaver, Highland Hospice’s director of fundraising, retail and communications, stressed volunteers and staff at nine of the 11 shops in the North, including Wick, are happy with the changes.
"Some volunteers in Thurso and our shop in Inverness were unhappy with the restructuring but the others accepted the need for change," he said.
Mr Leaver recognised the contribution made by the Thurso shop but emphasised that not all stores are as successful. The changes will help achieve that, he stated.
Mr Leaver confirmed volunteers have left the Thurso shop and said their decision has impacted on the opening hours – although that is expected to change shortly.
"We would hope to revert to our usual opening hours later this week," he said.
Highland Hospice’s chief executive officer, Kenny Steele, said: "It is always sad for us to lose any valued colleague. I fully appreciate the perspective of our volunteers who express their support for staff.
"The feelings of volunteers are of great importance to us and their support is vital to the service we provide."
He added: "I have met with volunteers and explained the reasons behind the difficult decisions we made, including the need to preserve and build on the vital source of income our shops provide to the hospice.
"We are restructuring our retail operations only after careful consideration and consultation with the staff affected.
"At all times we endeavour to strike a balance between our obligations to our staff and our duty to ensure the hospice is adequately funded to meet the needs of the Highland community we serve."
