MBOMBELA – Theatre staff of Mediclinic Nelspruit have expressed their shock that shifts over weekends will no longer be considered as overtime as
of April 1.
Personnel, who requested to remain anonymous due to fear of victimisation, say where working over weekends was previously considered as overtime, now it would form part of their shifts. The theatre staff regarding this as salary cuts.
According to the workers, the nursing service manager told them in January not to count on overtime money as “they had been overpaid for years”. Yet they say they won’t accept a verbal policy change and have written to the group’s head office requesting clarification. A response has not been forthcoming. Mediclinic Nelspruit hospital manager, Ms Carmen Savva says the hospital is in the process of adjusting shifts to suit operational requirements which will be implemented from next month.
“We have been engaging with staff in a negotiation process since December and feedback has been provided to staff regularly throughout the process.
“All theatre personnel were appointed as shift workers and have signed letters of appointment confirming this. Mediclinic Nelspruit did not cut basic salaries or unit allowances of staff and has no intention of doing so. There will still be opportunities to work overtime, although it may not always be on a weekend.”
Savva explains that the changes are in line with the standard policy at all Mediclinic hospitals and according to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. She adds that all Mediclinic hospitals work according to the official policy on overtime and additional hours.
But personnel is blaming the cuts on the promotion of the new theatre nursing manager, Ms Ileen Matshabe.
Savva says she has been appointed as deputy nursing manager of theatre three months prior to the retirement of the previous incumbent in order to ensure a sufficient handover period.
“We followed the standard recruitment procedures during her appointment process and she does qualify for the position as per the job requirements.”
Mediclinic Nelspruit also denies that it is being sued through the CCMA by a manager who had been confirmed in the position, only to have it cancelled in order to appoint Matshabe as there was an overlap period of three months between the retirement of the previous incumbent and the appointment of Matshabe – hence nobody could have been confirmed in this position.
Savva claims that it has also not received any staff complaints against her, but “will investigate these allegations”.
These claims include the alleged victimisation of staff to such an extent that they are faxing in their 24-hour notices.
“There has been a slightly higher turnover recorded (since her appointment) but this can be partly attributed to the opening of Kiaat Private Hospital and their active recruitment among Mediclinic staff,” Savva says.
She adds that all the hospital’s theatres are currently operational.
- Read more on Mediclinic Nelspruit here.
