Union disputes Horsham council claims that investigation dismisses bullying allegations

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Horsham Rural City Council says a recent report into its work culture has found there is “no substance” to bullying claims.

Key points:Horsham council says an independent report shows there is no substance to allegations it has a toxic workplace cultureThe union disputes the report, which was prepared by an investigator chosen by the council’s lawyerThe union plans to meet with council staff in coming weeks to determine next moves

But the union that first raised the allegations disagrees.

On Thursday the council, which governs a population of about 20,000 rural residents in western Victoria, announced independent investigator Wise Workplace Solutions had handed down a report on its investigation.

The council and the Australian Services Union (ASU) participated in the probe after the ASU requested an independent investigation in June.

Nineteen staff were interviewed.

In a statement, Horsham council said “there was insufficient evidence to support that there was ‘any form of toxic workplace culture across the council, or a culture which condoned any form of workplace bullying and harassment'”.

“The investigation also found insufficient evidence to support claims that management had withheld and misused information, de-legitimised staff concerns, created a culture of division, undermined staff morale and/or failed to resolve identified concerns.”

Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla added: “The independent investigator found that most of the concerns raised in the investigation related to poor communication between the broader management team and non-management staff, which is not uncommon in large organisations”.

“I will be working with my management team to ensure we are continually improving communications across all levels of the organization,” Mr Bhalla said.

ASU slams process

ASU organizer Billy King saidthe council refused the ASU’s request for an independent investigation.

Sunil Bhalla says the concerns raised by the investigation are “not uncommon in large organisations”.(Supplied: Horsham Rural City Council)

He said instead, he offered an investigator chosen by his own lawyers.

“Our preference was always someone completely independent from the Equal Opportunity Commission or an ex-Fair Work Commissioner,” Mr King said.

The ASU was yet to see the Wise Workplace Solutions report, but received a briefing from the councilearlier this week.

Mr King said he “totally disagreed” with the investigation’s findings.

“We recently conducted a statewide survey of local government workers, and out of that, we had 94 respondents from Horsham Rural City. Over half of them 55 said work negatively impacted their mental health, and 67.7 per centsaid they experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment in the workplace.

“I talk to members, non-members and ex-employees of the council, and the clear message I’m getting is the workplace is toxic, and they can’t believe the outcome that has been handed down.”

Mr King also said he found it “staggering” that none of the 19 people interviewed had issues worth following up.

“I am planning to meet with our members in the next week or two to find out where we go from here,” he said.

The report is not being released publicly for staff privacy reasons.

Wise Workplace Solutions declined to comment.

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