An unsafe and intimidating work environment. This was caused by the way in which the Supervisory Board of GGzE in Eindhoven set the board aside last week, insiders say among staff and clients. The Supervisory Board itself denies this.
It is Wednesday morning, August 10, when directors Machteld Ploeg and Peter Littooijen are told that they have been suspended. Both still want to work, but can no longer. Their work accounts are closed and they have to leave the GGzE site. If necessary, the security is activated, says a person involved.
The message from the Supervisory Board hits like a bomb. Not only among the two directors, but also among staff and clients.
The reason is a heated conflict about who should become the new chairman of the board of GGzE. The Board of Directors, works council, client council and medical staff want someone with a healthcare background. The Supervisory Board, whose task is to find candidates, states that this is difficult. Two recruitment agencies failed to find that dream candidate, is the message. That is why the Supervisory Board mainly focuses on people with extensive management experience on their CV. The preference for someone with a care background is abandoned.
There are even tears
The disagreement has spiraled out of control in recent months. According to the Supervisory Board, this leads to ‘an irreparable breach of trust’. Littooijen and Ploeg are suspended.
The drastic decision quickly seeps into the organization. There is incomprehension and according to insiders there are even tears. The works council, the client council, the medical staff and various directors are perplexed. Most are behind the two board members.
Sources among staff and clients only provide information anonymously, for fear of measures taken by the Supervisory Board. Is there a culture of fear? “That’s how you can sum it up now,” says one of them. According to this person, the way in which the decision was communicated symbolizes the way in which the Supervisory Board acts.
“Why, for example, is there no mediator involved, as should be the case when a conflict escalates? This has been done before with another driver. Why did this have to be such a hard way?”
‘Continuity of GGzE can be endangered’
An insider stated that this could endanger the continuity of the GGzE. “People don’t want to work here in this climate. There is already a shortage of staff. The board took care of that. If that comes to a halt, the deficit will increase. And that in turn leads to longer waiting times for people who need help.” Last year, about 12,000 people received psychological help from GGzE.
The Supervisory Board says in a response that it has ‘no indication’ that there is a culture of fear. Employees with questions or comments should contact us.
“The management team looks after current affairs to their full satisfaction. Moreover, the quality of the care is guaranteed by a solid team of practitioners”, writes an advisor to the Supervisory Board. “Treatments and guidance continue as usual.”
It was previously announced that the client council and works council will not leave it at that. They want the Supervisory Board to reverse the decision with immediate effect. They threaten to go to court to enforce this. She would not say whether the Supervisory Board is considering this.
ALSO READ:
Unrest at GGzE: staff and clients threaten to go to court
GGzE Board of Directors suspended after breach of trust