Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 12:29
I’m writing to you to let you know about the results of the recent survey we commissioned on the working lives of colleagues from a Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) background.
As part of our work to improve the working lives of our BME colleagues we commissioned independent research to better understand the issues they face.
The results of the research will be published here within the March Board papers in the next couple of days and will be discussed at the Board meeting on March 15. This research showed there is still inappropriate behaviour towards our colleagues from BME backgrounds at EEAST. Some of the experiences shared by our colleagues are hard to read.
I know I speak on behalf of the Executive Board when I say am sorry to all my colleagues who have experienced this.
I am clear that behaviour like this has no place in our Trust and will be eradicated.
This research also comes at the same time as a conclusion of an investigation into how offensive graffiti at one of our sites was handled.
In 2019 a kitchen table at one of our locations was vandalised with the symbol of a far-right organisation. The actual incident was deplorable, and the subsequent investigation of it was not handled effectively. There were failures at multiple levels of the organisation in how this was handled at the time, and there is organisational wide learning from this incident that we are now implementing.
This has no doubt led to a corrosive perception that this type of issue will not be addressed properly at EEAST.
We are determined to change this perception.
Any racist or discriminatory behaviour is not acceptable. The handling of this incident – and this research we have commissioned – show that the Trust has work to do to eradicate this behaviour from our Trust. I want to reassure colleagues that any such incident would be properly investigated in future.
The research has made several recommendations. Some have already been actioned, including introducing mandatory Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion training and values and behaviours training; piloting reverse mentoring, and establishing cultural ambassadors.
You can view an overview of the survey results and the action plan in an infographic here.
We have made good progress in improving the culture at EEAST, as evidenced by our improved CQC report and the lifting of CQC and EHRC conditions. We are also optimistic that our results from our recent staff survey – due to be published shortly – show that we are beginning to move in the right direction.
However, there is more that we need to do.
We have a three-year plan to make EEAST a more inclusive place to work and have a skilled team in the Strategy, Culture and Education Directorate to drive forward this plan.
We need all colleagues to play their part in this. If you see any racist or discriminatory behaviours, or if you have been affected by this report, please speak out and formally report any behaviours so that these can be fully investigated and acted upon.
You can report this behaviour via:
Once again, a sincere apology to all of my colleagues who have been subjected to discrimination at our Trust. We hope that staff would feel assured of the Trust’s position on such matters, which is a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination, that such behaviours and attitudes are unacceptable and we are working towards rooting out such behaviours within our Trust.
Tom Abell
Chief Executive
Published 8th March 2023