UNISON Scottish Borders Public Services branch is currently awaiting a formal response from SB Cares after submitting a collective grievance on behalf homecare workers concerned about their working conditions.
Following recent members meetings with homecare staff in Kelso and Peebles, and results from a membership survey produced by UNISON, it has become more than apparent that there are a variety of workplace issues that need to be addressed and rectified by SB Cares.
Issues include; staff travel time not being adequately factored in to rotas, staff being asked to deliver complex care without proper training and 15 minute visits for clients.
Kaymarie Hughes of UNISON Scottish Borders Public Services branch said: “UNISON Scottish Borders Branch feel that this is an appropriate time to raise this collective grievance, as we want to ensure that the issues are addressed and rectified, given the move to return SB Cares back into Scottish Borders Council control.”
“Staff are constantly pushed to breaking point and often not able to take breaks, some of our members report being forced to deliver complex palliative care to clients.”
“UNISON members are not willing to tolerate these working conditions anymore, because the clients and the staff deserve better. ”
Below you can read a copy of the collective grievance submitted to SB Cares.
If you are interested in joining our fight for better working conditions and/or becoming more active with UNISON, please contact: Area Organiser, Greig Kelbie – g.kelbie@unison.co.uk / 07415 709746
Copy of Collective Grievance
03 October 2019
Nature of Grievance:
This is a collective grievance on behalf of our home care members.
• Home care workers have been subject to detriment due to ongoing issues with travel time. Travel times are currently not being adequately factored in to rotas, meaning that staff are constantly pushed to breaking point and often not able to take their allocated rest break.
• There is an inconsistency on how overtime / additional hours is paid to homecare staff.
• Homecare staff who have not been adequately trained are asked to deliver complex palliative care to clients.
• Staff are being scheduled in for 15 minute visits, which is not good for continuity of care.
• Staff are still unable to understand their payslips which leads to them being unable to keep track of payments for overtime, travel or additional hours worked.
Resolution Sought:
• Appropriate times to be allocated to allow homecare staff sufficient time to carry out allotted tasks and travel between service users.
• Appropriate times to be allocated to allow homecare staff to take sufficient rest breaks.
• Staff paid properly and consistently for any additional hours, travel and overtime that is worked.
• Staff not asked to deliver any specialist care that they have not been trained for.
• The allocation of 15 minute visits for anything other than medication checks within a close proximity are not acceptable and must end.
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