Staff across five Liverpool hospitals have described what union officials say is a “bullying, misogynistic and toxic” workplace culture. Employees have also reported excessive workloads, significant pressure and low morale, raising concerns about the overall working environment within the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG).
Senior managers suspended
The concerns come amid the recent suspension of six senior UHLG managers. Some of the suspensions are reportedly connected to allegations of bullying, although none of the suspended managers are understood to have held clinical positions.
The ECHO further understands the suspensions did concern managers responsible for operations across UHLG's five sites, which include Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Union survey findings
Several current and former UHLG employees have contacted the Liverpool ECHO to describe negative experiences at the organisation, with many relating to alleged bullying. The reports add to concerns already being raised by trade unions about workplace culture and management across the group.
A GMB survey of more than 100 members working in the estates and facilities department at Royal Liverpool Hospital found repeated concerns about excessive workloads, pressure at work and low morale. Respondents also reported bullying, intimidation, disrespectful treatment and poor management, while problems with annual leave approvals were another recurring issue.
Union action and UHLG response
GMB is now seeking to present the survey findings to UHLG management and is considering lodging a collective grievance. Unite has also said it has received multiple complaints about bullying and a “misogynistic and toxic” culture, adding that laboratory workers took strike action in 2025 over these and other staffing concerns.
UHLG said it works closely with trade unions including GMB and Unite and that action is taken whenever bullying or inappropriate behaviour is brought to its attention. The group, which employs nearly 19,000 people across its five sites, said it wants to create a workplace where "everyone feels valued and supported, and where colleagues feel able to raise concerns."
