The 'WorkRep Rogue Employer Of Year' prize has been awarded once before:
WorkRep Rogue 2005
The leading contenders for this year's Workrep prize are jointly Prof Michael Harloe and Salford University for the following laudable reasons:
1)Rhetta Moran, a researcher at Salford University was made redundant after a committee formed expressly for that purpose met in secret and chose her as its sole candidate for redundancy.
2) The committe did not even have the common decency to inform Rhetta that she was to lose her job until months later.
3) Rather than have staff from its own large human resources department defend the subsequent tribunal case the unrepresented Rhetta Moran brought, Salford University spent an estimated £100,000 of public money on a barrister and a legal team to represent them in a case lasting 3 years. Tribunal hearings alone lasted over 3 weeks.
4)Rhetta lost her claim for reinstatement and now Salford University wishes to claw back misspent public monies from someone they have deprived of a livelihood, who is without work, who's health has suffered, who's family has suffered and who is already close to penury owing to a long and drawn out case.
Salford University is fully aware that it is chasing a shadow, someone who does not have work or any means to pay the costs. The effect of a costs award against Dr Moran will therefore not lead to Salford University seeing anything other than a miniscule amount from Dr Moran, certainly not enough to pay the costs of even the new hearing at Manchester Employment Tribunal called by Salford University's legal team for this Friday.
Salford University should not waste further public money in this ridiculous pursuit of Rhetta Moran.
5)Because no matter what the final decision of the tribunal was, Salford University started the whole affair.
Rhetta Moran is a very highly respected member of her local community, someone who spends a large amount of her time freely helping those most in need in our society. Rhetta is a Researcher of world renown, an impeccable worker who has never even been sanctioned for a disciplinary offence - yet she is being hounded into bankruptcy by her erstwhile employer Salford University.
6)Because Harloe has hardened his heart and is mercilessly kicking someone when they are down.
If you are able to propose a more worthy contender for the WorkRep prize, WorkRep would be grateful to hear from you. Suggestions can be sent to WorkRep for consideration until December 15th of each year.
Until and unless a more 'worthy' candidate is found for the WorkRep Award, congratulations to Prof Michael Harloe and Salford University.
Your solidarity with Rhetta is needed urgently to help persuade Salford University, even at this late stage, to come to its senses and desist from the shameful course it is following (Costs hearing is 10am this Friday at the Employment Tribunal Manchester).
Michael Harloe Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford may be contacted at:
1) m.harloe@salford.ac.uk (please copy emails to rhettamorancampaign@googlemail.com)
2) Office:
Sheila Cross PA to Prof Michael Harloe, (Vice-Chancellor)
and Mr Michael Garrity (Pro-Vice-Chancellor)
Vice-Chancellor's Office The University of Salford
Salford Greater Manchester M5 4WT
Tel: 0161 295 5050
Fax: 0161 295 5040
Email: s.p.cross@salford.ac.uk
© Workrep 24 / 04 / 2007