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CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Klinic's workplace in 'distress,' requires transformation, investigation report says
The workplace at Klinic Community Health is in "distress" marked by patterns of "leadership failure," racial harm and unresolved conflict that require a cultural transformation at the organization, according to a report obtained by CBC that Klinic has framed as sobering. The non-profit organization, based in Winnipeg's West Broadway area, hired a third party to conduct an independent review of the organization earlier this year, after its board of directors started receiving letters from staff in January raising concerns about racism, intimidation and bullying at work. The findings of the investigation turned into a 53-page report which was shared with staff on Monday. The report outlines a number of recommendations to address discrimination, diversity and organizational structure at Klinic. "Restoring trust will require more than technical fixes," the report said. "Klinic has been a beacon of light in being responsive to the needs of diverse and poorly served groups of people," the report said. "The goal is to live those values with one another, not only community members." The independent review included interviews with 75 people and a survey that was filled by 128 members of staff and volunteers. Most of them indicate that despite the ongoing concerns about senior management, they love working at the organization because of their supportive coworkers and meaningful community work. But the review found there are issues with the leadership style of some managers and directors. Some members of staff believe leadership's decision-making doesn't align with the day-to-day realities of the services the organization provides. Meanwhile, the structure of the organization was found to be "top heavy," with more management positions than necessary. And while there is no rampant racism, when incidents of discrimination happen they are not dealt with quickly or effectively to the satisfaction of those being affected, resulting in unresolved conflict building up into polarization and blaming, the report said. In an email to staff on behalf of the board of directors, Chairperson Kathy Majowski said the findings are "difficult and sobering." She said the organization will be working with staff, unions and leadership to develop "a concrete, inclusive action plan" based on the recommendations. "We know this won't be easy. But we also know that Klinic's strength has always come from the people who care deeply about its mission." On Thursday, three days after the report was shared, the role of three directors at Klinic were eliminated and their employment terminated, Debra Radi, Klinic's executive director said in an email to staff obtained by CBC. "These were difficult decisions, and they were not taken lightly," the email said. CBC has reached to Klinic and its board of directors for comment. Staff frustration A spokesperson for Manitoba's health minister, which offers some funding to Klinic, didn't directly comment on the report findings but said the province expects all of its partners to provide a safe and respectful workplace for all staff, that's free of discrimination, harassment and toxicity. The review found there's lack of a process to deal with inappropriate remarks or misgendering, which has led to divisions, the report said. With little satisfaction on how complaints are handled, staff reported they are more likely to file grievances with the union, but the process is time-consuming and union staff are "not always available to help." The situation is frustrating, the report said, to members of staff and volunteers from diverse communities "who have spent years dealing with racism, homophobia or transphobia" in a place "that should be a positive environment." Some staff who witnessed others being harassed or disrespected feared speaking out about it or becoming a target, counter to how Klinic has "prided itself in being on the forefront of change" for those without a voice, the report said. Other members of staff reported fear about being terminated and most wouldn't recommend Klinic as a workplace because it would be "harmful to their mental health and well-being." With the organization's growth in recent years, staff told the third-party reviewer they have seen a change in how Klinic deals with issues in a more "top-down manner." Those interviewed said decisions are made at a higher level, and the input of staff is not encouraged while opposing views are met with abuse or intimidation. "Klinic has highly knowledgeable staff who expect their knowledge and experience to be recognized and valued. That is not happening," the report said. Part of a bigger issue The review also found more resources are needed for middle and front-line staff. While some directors have two to three people reporting directly to them, middle managers have sometimes between 24 to 68 people under their wing — making it "impossible" to give people feedback or monitor their progress. The report said the addition of more services may be a reason for this issue and a review of the organization's structure is needed with more teams working together. The report also examines questions around Klinic offering drop-in services, explaining there is a need in the community for a low-barrier inclusive service provider, especially after the drop-in centre at the West Broadway Community Ministry closed in 2019, At the moment, the organization does not have capacity to operate a full drop-in centre safely and effectively, the report recommended. Klinic could explore the possibility of creating a separate facility with another organization, the report said. But "without clear and immediate action, Klinic Community Health risks deepening internal dysfunction and potentially creating unsafe conditions for staff and vulnerable community members alike," the report said. Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, said the report matches the feedback the union representing over 150 workers at the Klinic has seen over the years, and some employees have expressed feeling validated. He is also happy to see the response from Klinic, inviting the union and staff to work with leadership on the recommendations. But the report speaks to a bigger problem in the health-care system and "it is time to get serious about the cultural issues," he said. The NDP government, which ran on a promise to fix the health-care system, has talked about changing the culture in the system, but front-line workers have yet to see a transformation, he said. Adequate staffing levels — a focus of the current government — are important to usher in that change, but systemic problems are born out of poor management as well, Linklater said, "Leadership really matters," he said. "The ones that are not good drive severe problems, and we need those rooted out and we need them to be exited."
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Klinic directors fired days after scathing report released
Three senior-level directors have been fired from an inner-city health centre, the Free Press has learned. The terminations come on the heels of a third-party report that detailed staff concerns about a dysfunctional workplace, poor management and substandard safety practices. In an email dated Thursday and obtained by the Free Press, Klinic Community Health's executive director Deb Radi informed staff that three directors had their employment terminated and their roles eliminated earlier that day. 'These were difficult decisions, and they were not taken lightly,' Radi wrote in the email. 'We will be providing support to each one of these individuals as they navigate this challenging time.' Klinic, which provides health care and mental health resources, plays a critical role in the community, and every staff member deserves respect and support as they do 'this important, but difficult work,' she said. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Klinic Community Health at Sherbrook Street and Sara Avenue provides health care and mental health resources. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Klinic Community Health at Sherbrook Street and Sara Avenue provides health care and mental health resources. The names of the directors or their positions were not included in the email. On Wednesday, Klinic confirmed three doctors have resigned and will leave by the end of summer. Contacted by the Free Press, Radi said Klinic is unable to respond to specific HR matters. A 50-page report, conducted by Winnipeg-based consulting firm TLS Enterprises, was delivered to Klinic on Monday. The company interviewed 75 staff members and surveyed 128 employees and volunteers, some of whom described the centre as a dysfunctional workplace run by 'authoritarian leadership,' who didn't listen to concerns. It said staff felt unsafe working at the Sherbrook Street facility and listed an overdose and violent incidents in the centre's waiting area as examples. The report also found instances of racism and transphobia at the centre. The facility's board commissioned the report in the spring, after it received letters from employees alleging racism, transphobia, intimidation and bullying in the workplace. The report issued six recommendations, including redefining its drop-in services and creating a complaint reporting system for staff. Klinic board chair Kathy Majowski told the Free Press on Wednesday that all recommendations have been accepted and consultations with staff have begun. Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, said if the three directors being terminated is linked to the report, those are the actions needed to begin fixing Klinic's workplace culture. 'Leadership really matters. And we've been saying that across the health-care system. The leadership sets the tone for everything,' he said Friday. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals The union, which represents more than 150 employees at Klinic, has heard about the management issues for several years, Linklater said. In March, the union offered to assist Klinic's board in completing a management review, Linklater said, but was told the board would undertake the process. He advocated for a review of management practices at Shared Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The province needs to consult with unions to identify problem areas in management so reviews can happen quickly and deliver effective results, Linklater said. 'When an employer fails to support (health-care workers), this report shows how that relationship has been actively damaged,' Linklater said. 'It impacts trust and for that to change, we want to see all of the things that the board of directors has committed to do be followed.' The WRHA and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom.
