An NHS maintenance worker has won a £10,000 payout after his managers called him a “wasp that needs swatting”.
Franco Villani, 56, who said he was deliberately targeted by managers at York Teaching Hospitals Facilities Management, was forced to endure “detrimental treatment”.
Such treatment was designed to undermine his union activities after he raised health and safety concerns, an employment tribunal heard.
In June 2023, electrical services manager Nigel Watkinson wrote: “That wasp needs swatting!!!!” after Villani requested to meet a safety inspector privately.
The tribunal found managers wanted to “clip the claimant’s wings” rather than address genuine workplace issues (Stock)
York Teaching Hospitals
The tribunal found managers wanted to “clip the claimant’s wings” rather than address genuine workplace issues.
When Villani – a health and safety union representative at the hospital – raised concerns about a ventilation system failure in June 2023, he warned a “serious accident” might occur after a gas safety technician found the fault, adding that staff were fortunate they “hadn’t passed out”.
Managers also encouraged other employees to submit formal complaints about Villani in September 2023 in an effort which was believed to discourage him from helping colleagues submit safety concerns through the proper channels.
In November 2023, the hospital’s estates officer, Sarah Goldsmith, “lost control” during a confrontation with Villani.
She shouted that “everyone was fed up of him” and “nobody likes him” – after which he went off sick for a month.
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The tribunal ruled that management’s language revealed their intention to suppress Villani’s union activities.
The subsequent £10,000 compensation was awarded for the “distress and harm” the claimant endured.
The judgment highlighted how managers had criticised his “snaky” manner after he raised health and safety concerns with senior management.
Villani said: “It saddens me that I have had to go through this process to protect the hospital patients, visitors and staff. The unacceptable treatment that I have been subjected to has had a detrimental effect on me.”
Unite the Union expressed concerns that Villani’s direct line manager, who was involved in the “wasp” email exchange, remains in his position.
The tribunal ruled that management’s language revealed their intention to suppress Villani’s union activities (Stock)
York Teaching Hospitals
Villani’s representative Neil Guss said: “This case highlights the inappropriate and detrimental treatment of a dedicated union representative who was simply carrying out his duties.”
“The judgment reinforces the vital protections that trade union representatives rely on.
“Our client was targeted simply for ensuring workplace safety, and instead of being supported, he was intimidated. The Tribunal rightly found these actions unlawful,” he added.
A spokesman for York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust accepts the Tribunal’s outcome, and we apologise to Mr Villani for his experience in this case.
“We maintain productive relationships with all our trade unions and professional bodies, and the incident described does not reflect the broader, constructive working relationships we have with them.”