Nurses and auxiliaries from the Psychiatry Acute Unit of the Martí i Julià Hospital Park in Salt report sexual and workplace harassment by other professionals in the service. At least a dozen affected individuals recount sexist and homophobic comments, unwanted touching, intimidating behavior, and a climate of abuse of power within the unit.
The case initiated an internal protocol in November 2024 and resulted in the dismissal of one worker and the transfer of another, but several professionals maintain that the response has not prevented victims from having to leave while some of the alleged perpetrators remain in the work environment.
The internal investigation began in November 2024 and found minor and very serious offenses
The unit managers detected a possible case of harassment in November 2024 and reported it to the Department of People, which activated the prevention and investigation protocol. From there, the Institute of Health Assistance commissioned an evaluation by an external specialized company.
That expert report served as the basis for the binding report of the investigation committee. The investigation concluded that the facts constituted minor and very serious offenses, which led to the initiation of summary proceedings.
The IAS later confirmed the dismissal of one worker and the transfer of another as a result of these proceedings. The institution also recalls that representatives of the works councils were present during the investigation.
The affected individuals say that interns also requested transfers
Among the testimonies collected from the workers are episodes of particular gravity within the unit. One of the affected individuals summarizes it as follows.
"A colleague had her hair pulled, and another was locked in a room and forced to show her breasts" - one of the affected individuals, a professional from the Psychiatry Acute Unit of the Martí i Julià Hospital Park
The professionals add that interns were also affected and that some requested transfers because, in their words, it was impossible to work in that environment. In addition to episodes of sexual harassment, they explain that after reporting, they began to suffer workplace pressure.
One of the phrases that the affected individuals repeat summarizes that change in scenario. "We went from reporting sexual harassment to suffering workplace harassment," they state.
They also consider the psychological support they received during the process insufficient and maintain that they did not feel accompanied. Their criticism extends to both those who acted directly and those who, in their opinion, allowed such conduct.
The IAS contracted restorative processes after closing the files
After finalizing the files, the IAS hired another company to develop restorative processes with voluntary participation of the professionals involved. The institution frames this measure as part of repairing the harm caused within the service.
The management of the organization maintains its commitment to zero tolerance for harassment and defends compliance with labor equality and non-discrimination regulations. Faced with this position, the female workers insist that the adopted response has not resolved the impact on the victims.
One of them summarizes this discrepancy with a specific complaint, pointing out that there was only one dismissal and one transfer, while, according to her complaint, it was the victims themselves who ended up leaving their positions in the unit.