Inverclyde social care worker made explicit remarks to female colleague and falsely claimed sick pay

A social care worker has been struck off after falsely claiming sick pay nine times and making sexually explicit comments to female colleagues.

David Odigie from Greenock was under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), which has now released its report.

The SSSC panel decided that some allegations against Odigie during his time at Inverclyde Council had been proven.

In August 2024, Odigie is alleged to have asked a BB, a female colleague, “Have you ever slept with a black man?” and placed his hand on her leg without consent.

He also put his hand on her hand while she was driving.

On August 15, 2024, when a supported person asked if BB had had her grass cut, Odigie asked BB if she had had her “grass trimmed”, saying that you were not referring to the grass that the person was talking about.

Odigie said to BB that he “would like to cuddle into and lie on them” in reference to her breasts in front of another supported person.

He also said, “I would like to see what my babies look like inside of you,” touched her hips, sniffed her neck and said, “You smell lovely”.

In doing so, Odigie made his female colleague feel uncomfortable.

In addition, he was accused of falsely claiming sick pay from his employer, Inverclyde Council, on nine occasions between August 2023 and April 2024.

This was at the same time he was working for another council, Renfrewshire Council.

A hearing took place in which the SSSC panel heard from BB, who said that she had worked with Odigie for around a year and any appropriate comments, she tended to brush off or remain silent.

BB then said that around August 2024, his comments became “more and more vulgar” and that the line between workplace banter and sexual remarks was crossed several times.

He denied all allegations made about him and said his actions were not sexually motivated.

In addition, there were allegations made by another female colleague, AA, accusing Odigie of making sexual comments.

The report stated: “When asked why AA would fabricate allegations, [Odigie] replied that she had
taken a long time to make allegations and then made them around the same time as BB.

“You got the impression that VV, [information redacted], was behind the allegations, coercing them into making allegations.”

Odigie accepted that he had claimed sick pay on nine occasions, but said he did not act dishonestly.

The report stated: “When asked about why you believed it to be acceptable to report in as sick to one employer, receiving paid statutory sick pay, then work that day for another employer, you told the Panel that when a doctor gives you a ‘sick line’, you would often still go into work.

“When asked why you would be looking for a ‘sick line’ if you intended to work, you replied that your doctor ‘just gives you one’.”

The SSSC panel found insufficient evidence for allegations made by AA; however, it did find the allegations made by BB were proven, finding her evidence to be “credible and reliable”.

The panel also decided that Odigie’s behaviour was sexually motivated.

The SSSC ultimately decided that he should be struck from the register.

A spokesperson for Inverclyde HSCP said: “We are aware of the Notice of Decision issued by the Scottish Social Services Council.

“We can confirm this individual’s contract has been terminated, and he no longer works for us.

“The well-being of our staff is a priority for everyone at the HSCP.”