COMMENT
IT has taken several months for The Times to obtain further proof that there have indeed been proven cases of bullying at Frankston Council in the recent past.
Information obtained under freedom of information laws reveals there were 36 complaints by council staff or councillors in the past two years with five of the matters “either fully or partially substantiated”.
Council CEO Dennis Hovenden pointed out “only five (5) allegations of bullying” were proven in full or in part.
The use of the word “only” is unfortunate. One of the worst aspects of bullying in the workplace or elsewhere for that matter is the feeling of isolation victims can feel.
The five victims of bullying at Frankston Council must be reassured their mistreatment at work is not “only” a number.
The Times investigation into bullying allegations at council was sparked by an extraordinary public council meeting in January during which councillors shouted at each other across the council chamber about “bullying” allegations.
The Times discovered two councillors – Cr Brian Cunial and one other – were questioned in relation to a WorkCover claim for anxiety and stress due to bullying.
It is still unclear whether this investigation is one of the five confirmed cases of bullying. Frankly, it is not good enough if this is the case.
There seems to be a culture of “sweeping it all under the carpet” at council – as people who spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity put it – coupled with a lack of consequences for individuals involved in the apparent bullying of work colleagues.
Rather than turn a blind eye, like so many appear to have done in cases of bullying at council, The Times has tried to shine some light on the subject.
Disappointingly, when Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins was approached last week for comment about the proven cases of bullying at Frankston Council a bland statement from an unnamed “spokesperson” was provided.
That statement from The Unknown Spokesperson for what it’s worth – not much – read: “It is important that all employers – councils included – have policies in place to deal with workplace bullying. Councils need to take their responsibilities to their staff and their community seriously.”
When cases of bullying emerged at Geelong Council earlier this year Ms Hutchins told that council it “had to act”.
The Geelong Advertiser reported the Local Government Minister ordered Geelong Council “to appoint an accredited and independent mediator, review their code of conduct” and report back to her.
Could the reluctance of Ms Hutchins to become embroiled in Frankston Council’s situation be linked to the Labor state government’s own recent problems with bullying allegations?
Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek was stood down last week pending an investigation into claims he denies that he intimidated and bullied staff.
It also emerged last week that former Labor candidate for Frankston Helen Constas has been hired as an electorate officer in Noble Park for Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings.
Ms Constas stood down as a Labor candidate in June last year when it was revealed she reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with a former personal assistant who accused her of bullying.
At the time, now Premier Daniel Andrews was disappointed the settlement had not been declared during the candidate pre-selection process.
A lack of transparency, in other words. It was not good enough then. It is not good enough now.
First published in the Frankston Times – 1 June 2015
Here is the full letter from Frankston Council CEO Dennis Hovenden regarding incidents of bullying.
3 Comments
i find your article very interesting as I was in a situation with said Council and my case went to conciliation and basically everything confirmed and i was forced to go back and work in close proximity withe the officer who had offended in front of witness and at that stage this was also recorded. Union basically said suck it up you want to work so you go back as they say they have no other position available – really.
And what about the staff that just disappear
Despite this letter in 2015 the boys in charge at Frankston are aware of current bullying cases and have chosen to do nothing. Nothing has changed. More coverups for “the boys”, putting our council at risk financially and damage to our reputation. Financial risk that our ratepayers will bear the cost of, instead of that money going to services for our community. It has to stop. Something has to happen. There is evidence everywhere but nobody uses it.