Workers at Enfield mental health unit set to strike over 'bullying' and 'toxic workplace' claims

The staff are employed by private contractor ISS to provide catering, cleaning and security services for North London NHS Foundation Trust

Dozens of staff working at an NHS mental health site in Enfield have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action following allegations of bullying, overwork, and a toxic workplace culture.

The staff, who are represented by GMB Union, work in a variety of roles including catering, cleaning, and security and are employed by outsourcing giant ISS at North London NHS Foundation Trust’s Chase Farm site.

They voted 95% in favour of industrial action, and this is now set to begin on Wednesday, 15th July.

Serious allegations made by staff include bullying from managers – including racist comments – a failure to properly pay overtime for bank holidays, changes to working patterns causing unmanageable workloads, and workplace grievances taking months to be resolved.

Despite repeated attempts by GMB and its members to resolve these concerns, the union says ISS has yet to make any formal counter offer to attempt to avert industrial action.

A GMB member working for ISS said: “We are exhausted. Every day I have someone coming to me crying. ISS have treated their hardworking staff with contempt.”

Jack Phipps, a GMB regional organiser, added: “ISS have a duty of care to their staff and have repeatedly failed to address serious workplace concerns.

“Our members are determined to send a message to ISS that they will not be treated like this any longer.”

The Dispatch has approached ISS for comment but the company has not responded.

A spokesperson from North London NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are aware that ISS staff providing facilities services at Chase Farm Hospital have voted to take industrial action in July.

“ISS provides services including catering, cleaning and security. We are working closely with ISS to ensure appropriate plans are in place to minimise any disruption, and these will be kept under constant review in the lead up to and during the period of industrial action.

“Our priority is to maintain safe, high-quality patient care, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure services continue to operate safely during this period.”

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