RCN angered by clinics’ threat to nurses’ employment rights
Published: 26 August 2008
The RCN has warned it is considering legal remedies if the Priory Group goes ahead with plans to cut sick pay for its nursing staff. The College has been inundated with complaints from angry members after discovering their employer's plans which are due to be implemented next month. The Priory Group has stated that the organisation has absence levels of “epidemic proportions”
The RCN has written to the Priory Group stating that the proposed unilateral variation in contracts would be illegal and may result in legal action for unlawful deductions in salary if the changes go ahead. RCN Senior Employment Relations Adviser, Karen Didovich has requested a meeting with Priory Group management to resolve these issues, but this offer has not been taken up. She also said in the letter:
“Simply reducing the sickness absence entitlement will not deal with this problem, it will instead simply reduce morale and motivation of all staff”.
Staff who have worked at the Priory for more than five years are currently entitled to six months off sick on full pay – terms which are standard for the NHS and the public sector. The Priory wants to reduce this to no pay for the first three days with a maximum of six weeks full pay - half pay for those who have been with the company less than three years.
Contact your local RCN office for advice if you are employed by Priory Group and have received notice of changes to your sick pay scheme.