Fife Cultural Trust has come under fire from fed-up staff for rehiring a former employee at a time when fears are mounting that jobs and libraries are facing the axe.
One member of staff said many were “fizzing” at the trust which runs library services on behalf of Fife Council as it took on a former colleague, alleged to have been given a six-figure voluntary severance payment last year, as a freelance consultant.
Only weeks ago staff were called to a meeting that left them fearful cuts were on their way as the trust fights a funding gap.
It has delivered just 61% of the council’s 2013 savings target of nearly £1.5 million. Its head of external relations, Laurie Piper, admitted there would be losses but expected them to be met from a voluntary severance rather than compulsory redundancies.
But one worker told The Courier: “When libraries have sudden closures due to poor staffing levels and staff struggle to have holidays at a time to suit themselves and their families, it is beyond comprehension to throw pounds away in this manner.
“Is there really no one else in Fife library service capable of doing this job?”
Mr Piper said an ex-staff member has been engaged on a freelance basis to help the marketing team with a new welcome pack, leaflets, signs and a campaign to promote the introduction of library wifi.
Unable to comment on the amount of voluntary severance paid out as it was private matter, he rejected claims the ex-employee would be earning twice their previous hourly rate, saying it was less than they had previously earned with the trust and “considerably less” than engaging a marketing agency or consultant.
Mr Piper also said using others working for the trust “with similar skills sets to this individual” for this particular job would mean they were unable to carry out core duties and this could leave other areas short.