Lecturer resigns over ‘toxic work environment’ at University of Leicester
Written by Toby Cray
Dr Oz Gore has resigned from the University of Leicester citing a ‘toxic work environment’, as staff ballot over strike action.
Dr Gore’s resignation on 7 April comes as Leicester MP Claudia Webbe became the latest figure to criticise the proposed redundancies.
Relationships between staff and management are looking increasingly strained as this came just a week after retired Professor Peter Armstrong was threatened to be stripped of his Professor Emeritus title.
Dr Gore and Professor Armstrong have both accused the University’s management of ‘bullying’ staff.
Dr Gore, a Lecturer in Organisation and Management Studies, made his announcement on Twitter:
“When going into academia I did not sign up for a toxic work environment, for an attack on academic freedom, or for a shocking lack of care for staff, students & stakeholders.
“Today I resigned from @uniofleicester”
Staff members took to twitter to show their support for Dr Gore, with Dr Deborah Toner, an Associate Professor of History, tweeting:
“So sad to be losing another excellent colleague as a consequence of @NCanagarajah’s “shaping for excellence” plans.”
Professor Nick Hartnell, Chair of Neuroscience at Leicester, tweeted:
“This is shocking and so sad. What on earth is @uniofleicester doing? Is this what you wanted?
“You have destroyed the reputation of what was an excellent University and the livelihoods of those who worked so hard to support the University during the pandemic.”
The university have said that they cannot comment on individual cases, but have provided the following statement:
“The University offers wide-ranging support for its staff and students, both in a ‘business as usual’ capacity and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Students are encouraged to speak to their personal tutor in the first instance if they require support, with University teams available to support in a number of ways, including welfare, finance and accommodation support.
“Similarly, staff should raise any concerns with their line manager, or access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme provided by Validium.
“We are committed to ensuring that the University is a place for world-leading research and teaching.”
Toby Cray is a second-year journalism student at the University of Leicester. You can find him on Twitter here
Image taken by LSM member Ollie Monk @britwithacamera
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