Gloriavale told to improve on work-related health risks by WorkSafe
Friday, 2 October 2020
The Gloriavale Christian Community will be monitored by the Government’s health and safety regulator after being warned about work-related health risks.
WorkSafe issued two improvement notices, one directive letter and one verbal direction covering risk assessment, forklifts and work-related health risks to the isolated West Coast community this week.
The Labour Inspectorate and WorkSafe visited Gloriavale on Monday and Tuesday over claims some members had been forced to work more than 20 hours a day.
A WorkSafe spokeswoman said four assessors visited Gloriavale on Monday and spoke to 13 workers. The visit focussed on allegations Gloriavale was not managing fatigue risks in the workplace.
**READ MORE:
* No action to be taken against Gloriavale by Labour Inspectorate as workers deemed volunteers
* WorkSafe and Labour Inspectorate visit Gloriavale over illegal work claims
* WorkSafe inspectors heading to Gloriavale after claims of 20-hour work days
**
No evidence to support those allegations was found.
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“WorkSafe will continue to proactively assess how Gloriavale manages its health and safety obligations and will work with the Labour Inspectorate to ensure that employment standard allegations and health and safety concerns are promptly and proactively followed up.”
On Thursday, the Labour Inspectorate announced it would not take action against Gloriavale.
Inspectorate national manager Stu Lumsden said its jurisdiction only applied to employees and employers under the Employment Relations Act, and all members interviewed and the community itself said they were operating in a volunteer or trust structure.
The inspectorate reviewed Gloriavale’s operating model in 2017 and made the same finding. The inspectorate has no jurisdiction over volunteers. It is calling on current or former members to come forward, so the inspectorate can further assess the status of the workers.
“In all cases under employment law, we need credible witnesses willing to come forward in order for the inspectorate to undertake an investigation into employment status and minimum employment standards breaches,” Lumsden said.
“So far no current members from the community have claimed to be an employee at Gloriavale, despite an earlier proactive inquiry and visiting the community.”
He said the inspectorate would need more information from anyone who is willing to go on the record to talk about employment breaches.
“We are keen to talk to anyone who has had, at any time, firsthand knowledge of the community in this regard. We encourage them to come forward.”
Lumsden said if the inspectorate found evidence those working at Gloriavale were employees, they would look at whether further action was appropriate.
A police spokeswoman said on Thursday police had not made any arrests at Gloriavale.
A WorkSafe spokeswoman said on Wednesday WorkSafe had not laid any charges against Gloriavale.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Andrew Little asked officials to visit Gloriavalealong with WorkSafe staff on Monday.
The Labour Inspectorate is a regulator that enforces and monitors minimum employment standards.
Newshub reported last week two community members complained about long work days, overseen by “controlling” community leaders known as “shepherds”.
Former member John Ready last week filed civil proceedings seeking the removal of Gloriavale trustees for alleged poor conduct, mismanagement and dereliction of duty.
In July, Gloriavale leavers called on Charities Services to reinvestigate Gloriavale, alleging abuse, mismanagement and a raft of other concerns. Charities Services investigated Gloriavale in 2015.