Redundancies: HSE warned to respect agreements

Fórsa has written to HSE chief Paul Reid to say it expects any proposed redundancy arrangements to conform to public service agreements. The union’s head of health, Éamonn Donnelly issued the warning after a Sunday newspaper reported that Reid planned to implement “targeted” voluntary redundancies among “management” posts sometime next year.

The article, in the Sunday Business Post, was based on an interview with the HSE director general. It was short on details, but reported Reid as saying he was engaging yet more external consultants to look at HSE structures.

In his letter to Mr Reid, Éamonn pointed out that the union had always abided by public service agreements, which require employers to consult with staff representatives before imposing significant changes to working conditions.

In his letter to Mr Reid, Éamonn pointed out that the union had always abided by public service agreements, which require employers to consult with staff representatives before imposing significant changes to working conditions.

He said he expected the HSE to do the same. ”By any measure, redundancies are significant, both for the ‘targeted’ staff and those left to take up the workload. Fórsa fully expects [the HSE] to conduct business that directly affects workers’ terms and conditions through agreed industrial relations processes,” he said.

The union has offered to meet Mr Reid on the issue. “The last time the HSE offered voluntary redundancies, it was left with significant holes in corporate knowledge, including in key and senior roles. It then had to fill the gaps by hiring more managers.

The last time the HSE offered voluntary redundancies, it was left with significant holes in corporate knowledge, including in key and senior roles. It then had to fill the gaps by hiring more managers.

“In his interview, Mr Reid put forward no evidence-based rationale for claiming there are too many managers and admin staff , and it’s disappointing to see the head of the organisation taking to the media to criticise staff in this way.

“And it’s certainly odd to read that the HSE has decided to pursue voluntary redundancies before it hires expensive external consultants to look, yet again, at ‘organisational design’,” said Éamonn.