'Sorry about the tax' NHS Highland tells bullying victims
NHS Highland has issued an apology to bullying victims over issues surrounding the taxation of payouts just as the board moves to ramp-up long-term efforts to tackle workplace harassment.
HR director Fiona Hogg said those involved in developing the Healing Process put in place to offer restitution, compensation and psychological support to victims regret not being clearer about the financial implications.
Last year, it emerged that NHS Highland bullying victims’ payouts were made through payroll and were therefore subject to tax, there were also fears that confidentiality could also be compromised.
Ms Hogg said: “Firstly I’d like to say we are very sorry we didn’t pick this up as a potential issue sooner than we did. We know that it has caused a significant amount of concern and confusions – that was never our intention.
“This process is about healing and there has been a considerable amount of effort and time expended to try and make this as smooth as possible so we are very sorry if anyone has been distressed as a result of this.
“With the benefit of hindsight, the practical elements of the process, like the processing of financial payments, should have had specific attention and discussion in the co-production to ensure that everyone had the same understanding.”
