THIS IS SERIOUS
Minister warns City Hall ...
THE State Government says it will not tolerate any bullying at City Hall.
Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins yesterday said she would visit the City of Greater Geelong this week, following Geelong Advertiser revelations about council bullying.
“There needs to be zero tolerance towards the bullying and harassment of employees,” Ms Hutchins said. “This is a serious issue and requires further investigation.”
The City has announced it will appoint an independent investigator to examine allegations of a culture of bullying at the council.
Ms Hutchins said the scope of the investigation was for council and the independent investigator to determine.
“But clearly, it is in the best interest of the council and community alike that it fully address the matters at hand,” she said.
People who provided information to the investigation would be protected under whistleblower laws, Ms Hutchins said
“Those with information integral to an investigation should not hesitate and are protected under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012,” she said.
City of Greater Geelong CEO Gillian Miles said she had decided to appoint an independent investigator “to look into the perception of an unhealthy culture within council”.
The Geelong Advertiser report revealed five bullying complaints against councillors and eight allegations against officers had been investigated in the past 12 months.
Six of the complaints against officers have been substantiated.
Respected Geelong psy- chologist Gary McMullen, told the Advertiser bullying appeared to be a “systemic, entrenched and pervasive part of the culture” at the City of Greater Geelong.
Ms Hutchins said councillors were elected by residents and, as such, were accountable to residents.
“I think the local community is rightfully concerned about this matter,” she said.
“I have spoken to the (CoGG) CEO this morning and will be visiting council this week. I raised these issues and intend to continue to raise these issues. Council has a responsibility to its employees and local residents to address these issues and address them now.”
The Addy was inundated with calls from current and former City workers and members of the public yesterday, claiming to have been bullied while employed at the City or by councillors.
One former officer and mother-of-five said she resigned last year after just three months in a senior position because of bullying and was now receiving WorkCover payments.
She had given up trying to pursue a formal bullying complaint after being encouraged to withdraw the matter and “settle it in-house”, she said.
Despite assurances from human resources officials that her concerns would be investigated and pursued, seven months after leaving her job there had been no follow-up from the City, the woman said.
“My time at the council was very short but long enough to scar me for life. I moved my five children to Geelong from Sydney to take up a senior role. Within a week I knew I was in for it,” she said.
The woman said when she complained to a superior about the person who was bullying her she was told: “Yeah, we know they’re like that. You just have to deal with it.”
Later, the person who had bullied her pulled her aside in a room by herself and said: “Next time, if you’ve got a problem with me, come to me.”
From that point, the victim said she experienced “complete isolation” in the workplace.
“I was frozen out. They are very good at standover and intimidation tactics,” she said.
The former officer said she had been seeing a psychologist, prescribed antidepressants and even placed on suicide watch since leaving the City.
“It takes a lot to get past it,” she said of her time at the council.
Another former worker told the Addy he made an official complaint after being headbutted by an overseer in 2004.
It was his belief bullying was “just swept under the carpet” at the City, he said. The depression which resulted from the bullying he endured and witnessed “nearly killed me”.
Stories also emerged yesterday of some councillors abusing people, both in public and on social media, when challenged about certain issues.
Ms Miles said she believed the City of Greater Geelong had robust processes in place to prevent and deal with bullying but wanted to ensure the organisation was operating to the highest standards.
“I want to confirm that bullying and harassment is not acceptable and will be dealt with strongly and swiftly,” she said.
“I want the city to provide a positive work environment for all employees.”
A City spokeswoman said the scope and terms of the investigation into bullying were still being finalised.