- mike harrison
- BBC News, South East
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Vera Sankey described CityClean's culture as “toxic”
Councilors have agreed plans to tackle a “toxic” culture at a Brighton and Hove waste disposal company.
City Clean was subject to an independent investigation last year following whistleblowing allegations of racism, sexism and harassment.
Initial findings of the investigation said “swearing, shouting and threatening behavior” were common.
The final report sets out recommendations for an action plan to improve the workplace and ensure better services.
Members of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Strategy, Finance and Urban Regeneration Committee unanimously supported the recommendation and approved the action plan.
Ahead of Thursday's committee meeting, council leader Vera Sankey said: “Robust action has already been taken on behavior, equality and workplace culture in the months since the report was published.” said.
“Having a fair, inclusive and safe workplace is vitally important to our staff, which in turn ensures a better service to our residents.
“There were findings in that report that showed truly shocking and appalling behavior was being tolerated that no employer wants to read, see or hear,” she said.
“Going forward, we will take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, intimidation, racism and sexism and will completely change the culture at our warehouse.
“We definitely need to go further and we won’t rest until we get to where we need to be.”
“It's very shocking.”
The independent inquiry, led by Eileen McColgan KC, heard from 70 witnesses over three months.
Her 17-page report, commissioned by the city council, recommended a series of actions to improve safety and culture at waste disposal operators over the next 12 to 18 months.
These include disciplinary action against those accused of misconduct, changes to the day-to-day running of the service, and addressing conduct and equality issues.
When the report was published, Ms Sankey apologized to all affected staff for the “toxic culture that was allowed to grow and fester” and said the findings were “deeply shocking”.
Brighton and Hove City Council says some initiatives are already having a positive impact on services.
According to the report, missed curbside trash collections have decreased by 90% over four months, and missed curbside recycling collections have decreased by 68%.