Social enterprise staff need to be given safeguards, conference argues

The increasing number of CSP members moving to social enterprises was debated in two motions looking at employment rights and pensions for NHS physiotherapy staff transfer.

Andrew Merriman, pictured, who moved motion five on behalf of Yorkshire stewards, said a problem occurred when physiotherapy staff wanted to go back into the NHS but their continuous service is affected.

Years spent working in social enterprises could be wasted, he told conference.

Seconding the motion, James Allen of south west south stewards said sick leave, redundancy pay, maternity leave and annual leave could all be affected when physiotherapy staff move to social enterprises. With little regulation covering this, staff were being put off making the move.

The pensions issue around the move to social enterprise arose in motion six, proposed by Nicola Doran of south west north stewards. She said members felt trapped.

She outlined concerns around new starters in social enterprises, or members leaving or moving between social enterprises, where the NHS pension scheme is no longer an option.

In the south west, where there is a high number of social enterprise organisations, there are fears members will be unwilling to move roles and progress their careers, because of fear of losing their NHS pension rights.

Even with NHS pensions being under negotiation, members did not want to leave the scheme, she said. She called on the society to provide new information on losing transferable benefits and a good practice guide for employers.

Both motions were carried unanimously.