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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Unions demand broad probe into toxic leadership in Limburg provincial government: “Everyone is afraid”

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Belgian unions ACV and ACOD are seeking an independent, anonymous investigation into alleged intimidation and a culture of fear within the Limburg provincial administration.
  • Workers reportedly described high pressure, threats of dismissal and an overly direct leadership style, while union representatives said the complaints involve multiple departments.
  • The provincial government says it has prepared an action plan based on an earlier report and is receiving guidance from experts.

“Everyone is afraid of dismissal or other reprisals,” says Els Kerkhofs of ACV, describing the accounts that have reached the unions from employees of the Limburg provincial administration.

Everyone is afraid of dismissal or other reprisals.

— Els KerkhofsThe ACV representative described the fear reported by employees of the Limburg provincial administration.

ACV and ACOD say they received multiple independent testimonies after surveying workers and inviting additional employees to share their experiences. The accounts came from different departments and concerned the leadership style of the same people, according to the unions. They say workers do not feel safe and often want to speak only anonymously.

The complaints describe heavy workloads, a leadership style seen as excessively direct, mistakes being passed on to employees, intimidation and threats of dismissal. “People become very insecure and naturally make more mistakes,” Kerkhofs said. She added that colleagues are also afraid to intervene when they see someone being victimized.

The workload is very high and it is never good enough. In addition, mistakes are shifted onto employees. People say they are intimidated and threatened with dismissal. That is unacceptable.

— Els KerkhofsShe summarized workers’ allegations about pressure, blame and intimidation.

The unions argue that the problem extends beyond a dispute involving one employee and two managers. Kerkhofs cited a Mensura report that called for collective measures, saying that showed the issue was broader than an individual conflict. ACV and ACOD want a higher authority to conduct an independent and anonymous inquiry in which all employees can speak freely. They plan to repeat the demand before the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work.

This must be dealt with by a higher authority. We demand an independent, anonymous investigation in which all employees can tell their story.

— Frank HosteThe ACOD representative called for an investigation covering the entire administration.

The provincial executive says tensions have existed for some time but that it has now drawn up an action plan based on measures proposed after the first complaint. First deputy Inge Moors said the administration is implementing the plan with expert guidance and hopes calm will return soon. She added that the measures will take time and that other complaints can be addressed.

Based on the report after the first complaint, measures were formulated. We are now turning them into an action plan and are being guided by experts.

— Inge MoorsThe Limburg provincial executive’s first deputy described the administration’s response.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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