Dundee research centre under the microscope over staff claims of bullying

Published on Sunday 26 February 2006 00:52

ONE of Scotland's leading scientific research institutes is being investigated over allegations of bullying and high stress levels among staff.

The University of Dundee's School of Life Sciences is home to some of the world's top scientists and attracts more than 50m in funding every year, but there are now concerns that its success may carry a high price tag in terms of the health and well-being of its staff.

Sir Philip Cohen, who heads the school, has been tipped for a Nobel prize, as has his colleague, Sir David Lane, who discovered the p53 cancer gene.

But critics believe the determination of scientists racing to find cures for cancer and a host of other devastating diseases has led to the creation of a pressure-cooker atmosphere damaging to the health of those employed there.

The Health and Safety Executive visited the School of Life Sciences twice in December last year and again on January 26 and February 2, to investigate a complaint about work-related stress.

HSE inspector David Stephen concluded that many of the steps taken by the school to curb stress actually had the opposite effect because they involved cowed members of staff meeting with the very line managers to whom they feared expressing concerns.

He described the university's risk-assessment process as "structurally good" but he found that, when work relationships or management styles were seen as stresses, staff could not talk openly or freely.

Stephen also expressed "some doubt" as to whether the university met its statutory obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Unions at the school have raised a fighting fund to support a colleague who claims she was dismissed for complaining about stress to her bosses.

Dorothy Lawson, 59, had worked as a teaching technician at the school for 35 years and was due to retire in October, but last month she was sacked without notice.

Lawson, of Tayport, Fife, said five staff members had raised concerns over stress to their direct line managers. "All that happened after that was that we were all up on disciplinary charges and I got sacked for what they called in my dismissal letter 'insubordination and indiscipline'.

"We'd all been at the university for a long time and knew the place inside out. But you couldn't speak out or raise any issues for fear of retribution, and my case highlights that perfectly.

"Stress is rife in the place and compounded by the line managers, who refuse to listen or help their staff."

Lawson's union, Amicus, is backing her battle and officials will attend an appeal hearing on Friday. They have also set up a cash fund for Lawson to take her case to an employment tribunal.

A spokesman for the Dundee Association of University Teachers said: "Stress has become a real problem at the School of Life Sciences and it will be high on the agenda at every joint liaison committee meeting this year.

"We believe there should be an independent health and safety officer appointed for the university to deal with such matters. Stress has become a major issue for universities in general, but Dundee is at the worst end of the spectrum."

A university spokesman said: "We did carry out a work-related stress risk assessment in the life sciences teaching unit. This was facilitated by an independent consultant with the full involvement of both the university and the relevant trade unions.

"David Stephen did make a number of suggestions for improving the system, which we are happy to take on board.

"We have a clear work-related stress policy with a network of well-being contacts across the university, and an in-house safety services department which provides professional advice.

"We also have a clear policy on bullying and harassment and all complaints are fully investigated and disciplinary action taken when necessary."