As you know, VentnorBlog has been on top of the story of the sad news of massive job losses at the Isle of Wight council for over a week.
People have been very generous in providing VB with information, tips and documents as to what is happening behind the doors at County Hall.
As the story develops over the coming months, we’d like to continue to hear from council employees to put their currently silenced story out.
We’ve heard from quite a few sources that the council doesn’t like the sound of this. We understand the heads of departments are sending out emails reminding council employees that there’s a ‘Communication Protocol’ at the council, in an attempt to stop further information getting out.
The ‘Communication Protocol’ says that the _only_ people in the whole of the council who can talk to the press, are the people in the Communications Department, or those authorised by them. All others have to remain mute.
Facebook comment = Sackable Offence
It’s not just talking that the council bosses don’t like. They’re also laying the law down about what people can discuss with their friends on Social Networks like Facebook too.
Unconfirmed, but we’ve been told that the council has forbidden people from even commenting about their feelings on possible job losses on Facebook – labelling this simple, human desire as an act of Gross Misconduct – a sackable offence.
Speak Out
We think this is quite wrong.
Quite why the council thinks that people who are in danger of losing their jobs – let’s not forget that there are hundreds of people in this position – would pay attention to the threat of being sacked for talking about … losing their jobs isn’t clear.
Sounds like trying to control people through fear – but with no sting.
Get in touch
We’d like to hear from IW council employees to get their side of the story of the job cuts. Speak to us and let others on the Island know what it’s like to be working in the council, under threat of losing your job.
We will protect your identity if you contact us. It’s enshrined in the National Union of Journalists’ Code of Conduct – “Protect the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her/his work.”
Call us on 898 777 or email [email protected]
Image: Katie Tegtmeyer under CC BY 2.0
