Friday 27 November 2009

Senator Stuart Syvret accused of bullying

A report out this morning concludes there's extensive evidence of widespread harassment and bullying of States employees in Jersey by Senator Stuart Syvret.

UK Employment Judge, Christopher Chapman, says staff - mostly at the Health and Social Services Department - are under attack in unproven claims made by Senator Syvret in his blog.

Mr Chapman says the States Employment Board could well be liable for compensation claims.

Mr Chapman says Senator Syvret is guilty of 'unacceptable bullying and the misuse of power.'

On his blog he said senior civil servants were,
'demonstrably incompetent, idle, over-promoted, unethical, a danger to service clients, utterly ineffectual and provably criminal - and yet completely invulnerable.'

Allegations about individuals range from branding one a 'scum-bucket' to claiming another is a 'child rapist', despite no charges even being brought against them.

Christopher Chapman interviewed 15 people here in Jersey for his investigation in to the Senator's conduct.

Employees said they were having difficulty sleeping, concentrating at work, socialising and maintaining normal family life. Some had sought medical advice.

Children have been bullied at school or subjected to a campaign of whispering and two employees been arrested without any charges being laid as a direct result of claims made on the blog.

Senator Stuart Syvret accused of bullying