The person lives in their own apartment but has a great need for care and needs personal assistance at all hours of the day. Several personal assistants take turns working with the person and have overnight rooms in their apartment.

The incidents in which the person was left alone occurred in December 2022 and January 2023. According to documentation from a Lex Sarah report made by the municipality in question, the assistant who was on duty on one of the occasions allegedly tried to persuade the care recipient to go to the bathroom.

The person then allegedly collapsed on the floor whereupon the assistant allegedly tried to drag the person by the legs to the bathroom from the living room. Reportedly from the assistant himself because it would be "easier" to shower off the person if he pooped or peed down.

"Not going to work for free"

The assistant reportedly told his unit manager that "I'm not going to work for free" as an explanation for why he went to bed after leaving the caretaker on the floor of the bathroom.

The municipality has now chosen to suspend the assistant and an employment law investigation is underway. You also review the routines for what should be done when an employee needs help at work. In addition, the municipality will provide the working group with increased guidance and knowledge regarding treatment and what culture should prevail in the workplace.

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Three questions about Lex Sarah – the head of unit at IVO explains. Photo: TT