A COUINCIL worker was sacked for not working while they were supposed to be working from home, while another resigned amid allegations of bullying and harassment.

Another was disciplined for claiming too much mileage as a work expense, a council investigation into alleged staff misconduct has revealed.

An anti-fraud and corruption update due to be presented to Halton Council's audit and governance board revealed a number of human resources (HR) investigations have been ongoing over the past year.

According to the report, there were six investigations in 2022-23, two fewer than the year before. A number of investigations resulted in disciplinary action.

  • One investigation in the logistics department centred on an allegation of failing to comply with health and safety regulations, which resulted in a resignation.
  • There was an allegation of bullying and harassment in the children’s services department which resulted in a resignation.
  • In the finance department, one member of staff was sacked due to an allegation of ‘not working  while working from home’.
  • A member of adult services was subject to a disciplinary hearing and received a verbal warning over allegations they had over claimed costs of mileage. They were also ordered to pay the money back.
  • Another investigation into unauthorised absence and continued lateness for work is currently ongoing in the counci’s community and green space department.
  • One case of alleged bullying and harassment in the logistics department resulted in no further action with the council deeming there was 'no case to answer'.

In addition to the HR investigations, there were five cases of ‘whistelblowing’, where staff tried to raise tha alarm about something they felt was untoward, illegal or dangerous at the council. All five cases were investigated and, according to the council, no further action was required in any of them.

The year before there had only been two cases of whistleblowing, and the year before that just one.