As His coy, FNSL, Sacks Employees For Protesting Over Unfair Medical Policy Failed Convention People’s Party presidential aspirant, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom’s company, the First National Savings and Loans (FNSL), has presented to three former employees of the firm , a ‘dirty package’ after they complained against the disclosure of confidential medical records by management.
The management of the company, headed by Dr. Nduom, a successful business tycoon, has terminated the appointments of the three, Mr. Jordan Quarshie, Mr. Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi and Ms Eunice Opoku, for no reason.
Consequently, the three, ‘unfairly’ rendered jobless by Nduom’s company in their fight for labour justice, have petitioned the National Labour Commission over their ordeal and are demanding monetary compensation, among others.
According to the petition, the company has contravened Section 15 of the Labour ACT (651) 2003 by its decision to terminate the appointments of the trio without a reason. This is because management failed to establish a disciplinary panel to consider their case and give them a fair hearing.
The troubles of the three started when in a memo on February 7, this year, they petitioned the management of FNSL to cancel a directive that required that employees submit their medical records before reimbursement of medical bills can be made.
The memo which was backed by most employees of the company was also signed by another former worker of the company who resigned as a result of harassment by the management of the company.
The four argued that it is against the fundamental rights of citizens of the nation to surrender their medical records to a company before one can be reimbursed for one’s medical expenses.
They were of the opinion that, such records have no relevance or whatsoever to auditing and that it is the official receipts obtained after the drugs purchased which auditors have to fall on for their activities.
According to them, this directive perpetuated under the guise of “FNSL Policy” constitute violation of the fundamental health rights of the individual, since the company in time past has leaked confidential medical reports of some staff , causing serious injury and embarrassment.
“ A perfect example is the situation where a staff of FNSL in one of our branches, precisely in Accra was completely humiliated and disgraced about her ailment simply because her prescription she had presented to FNSL had been chanced upon by colleague workers” the memo stated.
They stated that the laws of Ghana forbid the relaying of health information unto a third party, hence requires that such evidence be kept secret between the health practitioner and the patient.
They were of the view that the deliberate attempt by FNSL to force its staff to produce a medical prescription which clearly spells out drugs prescribed is an avenue for a third party to tell a person’s ailment and health status which should never be the case.
“Indeed, we feel that such situation which has been allowed to continue for all these months is most unfortunate, dangerous and a gross violation of human rights”, they emphasized.
They regretted that a harmless petition such as this to recall their fundamental human rights of workers could push management of the company to terminate their employment contract without recourse to the Labour Act.
Narrating their ordeal in the petition, they stated that the General Manager upon receiving the petition summoned them to a meeting attended by the Operations Manager, the Human Resource Manager and the Branch Manager of the North Ridge Branch of the company.
According to them, Management accused them of using inappropriate language neglecting the substance of the memo which was not considered at all at the meeting.
They noted that in line of respect they rendered an apology for the said language which management deemed inappropriate but still requested for the substantive matter to be interrogated.
According to them, on February 16, this year, they received query letters from Management demanding an explanation why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for the alleged inappropriate language used in the memo. To their surprise, they received termination of employment letters on February 21, after they have responded to the queries accordingly.
They stated that they proceeded to seek clarification from the Human Resource Manager, Catherine Evans Tagoe and the General Manager, Charles Otoo for their offences committed.
To their amazement, both the Human Resource Manager and the General Manager replied that they (the four) have done nothing wrong but the company no longer needs their services.
To their amazement, both the Human Resource Manager and the General Manager replied that they (the four) have done nothing wrong but the company no longer needs their services.
Stay glued to The Enquirer, for reports on an alleged attack on one of the sacked employees as well more ‘scandals’ on the company.
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