Sutton case prompts bullying review
Report reveals senior staff had concerns before formal complaint made.
Hot Topic
Hawke’s Bay
The State Services Commission is reviewing how it handles workplace bullying and harassment following Roger Sutton's high-profile resignation.
The former chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority quit last month following an employee's complaint about workplace harassment.
Today the commission has released a timeline of events (click here to view) and says it will review how it handles complaints.
The statement says commissioner Iain Rennie has written to chief executives reminding them of their legal obligations as good employers and their responsibility to have appropriate processes to respond to complaints.
It says he has highlighted the guidance that is already available and the commission has started work on a review of it.
“This work will be incorporated into the current work with the Public Services Association on workplace bullying," the SSC said in a statement.
The statement also says the formal complaint on September 25 was preceded by an earlier informal approach on September 10 from senior staff members who had raised general concerns about Mr Sutton’s behaviour.
“It was emphasised to the commissioner that no formal complaint had been received but that the commission’s informal assistance was being sought.
“The commissioner spoke to Mr Sutton to bring these matters to his attention and discuss remedial actions.”
The statement says the commission will not comment further.
Victoria Young
Fri, 05 Dec 2014
Fri, 05 Dec 2014
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Sutton case prompts bullying review
43731