Ugly workplace bullying is at the cutting edge of public perceptions of tolerance and fairness.
This week, internationally, we’ve seen the stakes set very high as they should be. With Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson being sacked for his arrogant and unconscionable behaviour this, hopefully, points a way forward.
The BBC will be taking a ‘multi million dollar fiscal hit’ but obviously the organisation has judged that it cannot afford the odium of being associated with such untoward behaviours such as Clarkson’s.
Bullying, once it gets a hold, seeps in everywhere causing fear and dysfunction wherever it goes.
Clearly the BBC sees itself as being accountable to its national and international audiences albeit some are saying ‘look the other way ….this time’.
Interestingly, more than a million people from around the world signed an online petition calling for the BBC to reinstate Clarkson. But the BBC has its standards it seems.
The whole affair is of course a tragedy that’s impacting upon others on the whole Top Gear team. However, do you look the other way in order to actually take care of them?
There is no obvious win-win it seems but a precedent has been set on the international stage.
“Fighting means you could lose. Bullying means you can't. A bully wants to beat somebody; he doesn't want to fight somebody.” Andrew Vachss
The BBC has shown a way. Bullies can loose if you do not look away. However, it just might be a different story in Launceston.
Now for the transcript from The Examiner Tuesday 24th March, 2015
“COUNCIL BULLYING CLAIMS SETTLED
Allegations of workplace bullying at the Launceston City Council have been resolved.
In the council meeting yesterday, Alderman Ted Sands questioned Mayor Albert van Zetten on the handling of allegations involving general manager Robert Dobrzynski.
In response to Alderman Sands’ questions, Alderman van Zetten said the matter had been resolved.
In front of his fellow alderman, Alderman Sands asked why the general manager’s conduct and performance review committee, which Alderman van Zetten chaired, decided not to release the report into the allegations.
Alderman van Zetten said the committee followed legal advice on the matter.
Copies of an internal council report about the allegations were widely leaked in the lead-up to the local government election in October.
Alderman Sands asked why a meeting with all aldermen on the matter was not convened and was told by Alderman van Zetten that the procedure of the council was followed.
Mr Dobrzynski, who re-signed as general manager with the council for another five years, did not comment on the matter.”
Jack Bauer
1 comment:
Thank you for putting this up and allowing us to comment. Shame on the Examiner.
The way that the Council has handled bullying in recent times has been despicable. Only one Alderman seems to be taking it seriously and he gets called all kinds of names for his efforts.
A Museum Director got bullied for bullying and who knows who has been bullied since. The thing is that it costs ratepayers far too many dollars at the end of the process and who knows what it has cost who before that.
Far too much for sure.
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