Green Pastures Rest Home staff down tools after sudden suspension of manager

A sense of disbelief has settled over Green Pastures Rest Home in Durbanville after senior nursing manager Melissa Dreyer was abruptly suspended under circumstances that colleagues say have left staff shaken, humiliated and fearful for their own futures.

Dreyer, who has served as Nursing Services Manager for the past two-and-a-half years, said she arrived at work earlier this week expecting an ordinary day. Instead, she says she was blindsided.

“I came in as normal. There was nothing to suggest that anything was wrong,” she said.

According to her account, the chairperson arrived unexpectedly that morning. After a warm greeting, Dreyer says she was called aside and handed a suspension letter.

“There was no explanation,” she said. “I was told there are concerns and that an investigation is underway.”

She described what followed as humiliating.

“The chairperson insisted on escorting me out. I had to walk past my staff and residents while she carried my bags. These are people I lead every day.”

The situation escalated when Dreyer contacted her direct manager, who was on sick leave. That manager returned to the premises only to allegedly also be suspended.

The double suspension has sent shockwaves through the facility, with staff saying the lack of transparency has created fear and uncertainty.

“There is no communication, no explanation,” one staff member said. “If this can happen to them, it can happen to any of us.”

Shift leader Sister Esmeralda Moore said staff remain firmly behind Dreyer and her manager.

“We are going to continue supporting Sister Dreyer. We can’t trust anybody at this point,” Moore said.

She also addressed criticism over the staff walkout, placing responsibility on management.

“If they knew they were going to suspend the managers, why did they not make alternatives beforehand, call the staff and speak to us?” Moore said. “Why did they not consult and have contingency plans? We all depend on Sister Dreyer and Mr Van Zyl, especially when we need guidance. The suspension broke the whole line of communication and process.”

Moore defended the standard of care at the facility.

“The service delivery is top-notch. Sister Dreyer believes in high standards and is passionate about elderly care, especially in a country where the elderly are often neglected,” she said.

Staff nurse Sister Elize Robbertze said the sudden removal of Dreyer has deeply unsettled staff.

“The transparency in which we work gives you a safe haven. You know your protocols and what steps to take,” she said.

“To come on duty and suddenly your nursing manager is gone, and no one knows why and no one can ask questions that makes us feel unsafe.”

She said the emotional impact has been significant.

“We want to know what she has done. Simply saying there is an investigation is not good enough. It is not good enough.”

Shift two leader Sister Debbie Hoffman said she was initially told Dreyer had been placed on compulsory leave.

“I assumed she was told to take a break because she works extremely hard. There is no one who works as hard as she does,” Hoffman said.

She was also told she would stand in for Dreyer, something she questioned.

“I am not qualified enough to run the place. That didn’t make sense.”

Staff nurse Virginia Jansen described feeling deeply emotional and betrayed.

“I had already retired, but I came back because I felt safe here with Sister Dreyer and Mr Van Zyl,” she said.

“There are protocols and cameras that protect staff and residents. Sister Dreyer would always check evidence and deal with issues properly. That gave us security.”

Jansen said Dreyer’s removal has shaken that sense of safety.

“It makes you sad to see someone treated like this. She worked day and night, made sacrifices, and this is the thanks she gets. That is not right.

”Following the suspensions, staff downed tools, saying they could not continue working under the current conditions. They have indicated they will return once clarity is provided or the suspensions are lifted.

Workers are also calling for Dreyer and her manager to be reinstated, even pending investigation.

In response to media enquiries, board chairperson Hannl Cronje said the matter is a confidential staff issue currently under investigation and she is not in a position to comment.

She confirmed she had noted the concerns raised and said the board had attempted to engage with staff, but they had already dispersed.

Cronje added that the allegations being circulated appear one-sided, but assured that the matter is being treated seriously.

“This is not something that can go out the back door,” she said.

Later on Thursday evening, Dreyer told Weekend Argus that she had received a formal letter from the board alleging a breach of her suspension conditions following her engagement with staff and the media.

In the letter, seen by Weekend Argus, the board states that Dreyer was prohibited from entering the premises and from contacting staff, residents or suppliers during her suspension.

The board further alleges that she acted in “flagrant breach” of these conditions by communicating with staff after her suspension, and claims she encouraged unprotected industrial action, placing the facility and its residents at risk.

The board warns that her conduct may constitute additional disciplinary offences and could be considered aggravating factors in any outcome following the investigation.

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Weekend Argus