Rugby sets up complaints line
New Zealand Rugby has moved quickly to set up an independent online and 0800 phone service to help people raise complaints about inappropriate conduct in the sport. Establishing the service was one of the 2017 Respect and Responsibility Review’s recommendations.
Rugby bosses believe the new service will assist in complaints being resolved quickly and fairly with independent oversight. ‘‘Having an independent complaints management system will ensure all concerns are heard, documented, investigated and decisions are made about the appropriate course of action if required,’’ NZR chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement announcing the development.
‘‘It’s an investment in our community and ensures concerns can be raised confidentially and discussed with an independent person. People can feel reassured that their concerns will be acted upon with good intent.’’
Employment lawyer Steph Dyhrberg from Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law has been named as the independent manager of the complaints process.
Dyhrberg has over 25 years experience in employment and dispute resolution.
The national body also confirmed the Respect and Responsibility Independent Advisory Panel – also recommended from last year’s review – had been appointed.
It comprises Kathryn Beck, who chaired the initial review, along with Jackie Barron and Keven Mealamu. Russell Smith, co-director of Korowai Tumanako and HSB clinical specialist, has also been brought on board.
In explaining the complaints development, NZR said the comprehensive process would ensure: ❚ The independent complaints manager will listen to your complaint.
❚ The manager will tell you whether your complaint is something that can be dealt with through this process and, if not, whether there are other options for pursuing your complaint.
❚ The manager will ensure that you have all of the information that is necessary for your complaint to be dealt with.
❚ The manager will record information about you and your complaint, in order for it to be dealt with, and in order for NZR to monitor the complaints being made and how they are being resolved. Personal information will be held and dealt with in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993.
❚ All details will be kept confidential except in exceptional situations where disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious risk to the life or health of any person, as provided for in the Privacy Act.
❚ The manager will refer you and your complaint to the appropriate rugby organisation for it to be dealt with. This could mean NZR itself, a Super Rugby club or a provincial rugby union. Complaints involving a local rugby club, or club player, will be dealt with by the provincial union that the club is affiliated to.
❚ The rugby organisation may need to investigate the complaint, and may need to contact you to obtain more information.
❚ NZR’S disciplinary regulations provide for an offence of misconduct, which includes conduct or statements by people involved in rugby that is unruly and/or illdisciplined and/or that has the potential to bring rugby into disrepute.
❚ Complaints of misconduct are dealt with by judicial officers or judicial committees appointed by the provincial union or NZR. The judicial officer will consider all of the relevant information that is available at a hearing before deciding whether the person committed the act of misconduct complained of, or not.
❚ Judicial officers or committees can impose a wide range of sanctions for misconduct, from a caution or warning, to bans on attending matches, to suspensions from involvement in playing, refereeing, coaching or administering rugby, and other sanctions as appropriate.
❚ Employment complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant employment legislation and agreements.
❚ You will be advised on the result of the hearing by the rugby organisation, and the manager will contact you to ensure that has happened, and to ask your view on the process.
❚ If you are not satisfied by the outcome of a misconduct hearing you can ask the provincial union to appeal it, or you can refer the matter back to the manager.
❚ The rugby organisation involved may also be able to assist in a less formal way with matters that do not constitute misconduct, and the manager will be able to provide suggestions in this regard.