An internal investigation responding to claims that a member of staff at Rosebery Hall had bullied members of the kitchen staff has found “no evidence of the serious accusations”.
An open letter was sent by a group of students who live at the residence on 14th February, which accused the member of staff in question of “publicly berating kitchen staff for the smallest of infractions” on “countless occasions”.
The letter, which contained 24 signatories, also claimed that the individual had insulted the heritage of another member of staff, stating: “when staff member Nigel told one resident that he was Goan-Portuguese, [the accused member of staff] claimed ‘Nigel is a liar’, point blank”.
Upon receipt of the letter, an investigation was immediately set up, during which “the author of the complaint… and catering staff were interviewed”. The investigation concluded that “no evidence” could verify the accusations, and that “only the original author of the complaint” had provided evidence.
The letter, which was authored by Ashok Kumar, a Masters student who has recently been elected as Education Officer of the LSE Students’ Union, was also signed by resident Lukas Slothuus. Slothuus, in a statement provided independent of the letter, said that the member of staff at the centre of the investigation “has verbally abused workers” and that his actions “cannot be tolerated.”
Further, Slothuus stated that the intention of the signatories was to “speak up for those who are rarely given a voice”. This verifies the letter’s sentiments, that students at the residence have been “greet[ed] with nothing but kindness and respect” by the catering staff, but that “out of mutual respect [this] serious issue must be addressed immediately.” In response, Liz Thomas, the Head of Catering at Rosebery Hall, stated: “No complaints have been made by staff”.
At present, it is believed that no further action is due to take place, but the concerns of some students remain unanswered, with Slothuus adding: “LSE needs to seriously address these issues.”
Related posts:
- Library staff accused of bullying
- Casual staff “incorrectly paid”
- Rosebery on the road to refurb
- Students and staff join rallies on both side of divide
- LSESU settles out of court