40871 NR Staff ‘uncomfortable’ raising safety concerns

March 2010 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Supervision and Management Not Specified

A track worker is concerned that Network Rail staff might be feeling increasingly uncomfortable raising safety concerns, for fear of being targeted for redundancy.

Staff are aware that redundancies might have to be made and that these will, in part, be based on performance. However the reporter is concerned that management are implying, more or less directly, that raising concerns over safety issues could be perceived as poor performance and staff are being warned not to do so. This has been noticed in the North West area, but it is believed to be an issue which is becoming more pronounced all over the country according to the reporter.

The reporter would like to see all staff feel confident to raise health and safety issues without fearing for their jobs. The reporter seeks assurance from Network Rail that raising safety concerns will not be viewed as an example of poor performance and would like local management to make this clear to all staff.

Response from Network Rail

Network Rail would like to thank the reporter for bringing their concerns to our attention. A number of issues are raised and our response is as follows:

• regarding redundancies, the company has been very clear that redundancies resulting from the currently proposed restructuring will be handled through a process of voluntary severance. If additional redundancies are called for beyond those achieved by volunteers then the company agreed people process will apply; and
• raising valid safety concerns is positively encouraged by line managers and would certainly never lead to an individual being subject to the poor performance procedure or selected for redundancy.