28 May 2012

CIT bullying under investigation

| johnboy
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The Chief Minister’s Directorate has pushed out a media release confirming the ACT Commissioner for Public Administration, Andrew Kefford is investigating 39 cases of misconduct at the Canberra Institute of Technology.

In total, concerns have been expressed about the workplace experiences of 39 individuals:

— the circumstances of 34 individuals are being examined by my Office; and
— five entirely new matters are being pursued by CIT under the supervision of my office.

Not a good look,

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NO EVIDENCE OF BULLYING AT CIT?

Unbelievably, the ACT Governments Minister for Education Joy Burch finally answered Steve Doszpots questions regarding progress of the bullying investigation at CIT and claims that there are NO SUBSTANTIATED cases of bullying! This after 2 plus years of investigations, 10 investigators working under a former police investigator and a huge amount of tax payers money. Are we dismayed? YES. Are we surprised? NO … it smelt like it was going this way with the amount of evasive tactics used by the investigators office and finally their complete refusal to answer any more questions. A political solution has been found that makes a mockery of the whole investigation process. More on my blog http://loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/ Cheers, Lorese

The victims of bullying at CIT are still being kept in the dark and fed nothing but bullshit. I no longer have a scrap of confidence in Andrew Kefford’s investigation bringing real justice for the victims. A political solution has been found – one that saves face for higher management at CIT and for ACT Labor. I am saddened by this as I have been a labor (sometimes Green with prefs to Labor) voter all my voting life yet this happened on ACT Labor’s watch and they have not genuinely made moves to fix it. Not all is negative however, we victims may well remain the ‘fall guys’ for the process and I hope that real change will happen in the workplace albeit too late for our careers. See my blog for more details. http://loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/ Cheers, Lorese.

Tim33 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Tim33 said :

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

yes, life would be much more respectful and harmonious if we punched people in the face O_o

Yes, my point exactly – bullies would be given what the deserve – wait… you are being sarcastic aren’t you? Apologies I didn’t realize.

Also … here is some advice about sticking up for yourself decently and safely in the workplace … I am a grown up, really I am! http://loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/start-to-stand-up-for-yourself.html

Tim33 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Tim33 said :

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

yes, life would be much more respectful and harmonious if we punched people in the face O_o

Yes, my point exactly – bullies would be given what the deserve – wait… you are being sarcastic aren’t you? Apologies I didn’t realize.

Just a reminder that I also said this …… “I have found a way to do it though, I do it verbally. I do it politely. I don’t abuse, but I do it straight to the face – It works. ” I was just being a bit immature about the punching in the face stuff … letting of steam is necessary against all the CIT angst.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Tim33 said :

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

yes, life would be much more respectful and harmonious if we punched people in the face O_o

Eeekkk we were joking you know ….

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Tim33 said :

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

yes, life would be much more respectful and harmonious if we punched people in the face O_o

Yes, my point exactly – bullies would be given what the deserve – wait… you are being sarcastic aren’t you? Apologies I didn’t realize.

colourful sydney racing identity4:19 pm 10 Jan 14

Tim33 said :

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

yes, life would be much more respectful and harmonious if we punched people in the face O_o

colourful sydney racing identity12:56 pm 10 Jan 14

What is this? The Crazy Chester fan club? You’ve changed RiotAct, it’s like I hardly know you any more.

Tim33 said :

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

Tim33 I have to agree with you that I’d love to be able to punch certain people in the head. I have found a way to do it though, I do it verbally. I do it politely. I don’t abuse, but I do it straight to the face – It works. More people need to know how to effectively stand up for themselves because you are quite right, in the end, only you can protect you.

housebound said :

loresev: you’ve done well to keep going. Well done. It’s a pity that people have to fight so hard for public service managers to be held to account in this town.

thanks housebound – I lurch from hope to despair! Today there is more despair as we hear of more ‘friends of friends’ in high places muddying the waters of possible justice. Even if individual victims get no help and restitution – I have hope that at least bullies will think twice and realise they are running out of rocks to hide under. Cheers. L

loresev: you’ve done well to keep going. Well done. It’s a pity that people have to fight so hard for public service managers to be held to account in this town.

Affirmative Action Man said :

After 30 years in the Public Service (including about 10 years of dealing with CIT) I reckon about 50% of bullying claims are genuine & 50% are lodged by bludgers who will not work or refuse take direction from Managers.

BTW Casual employment is here to stay because its almost impossible to sack inefficient employees in the public sector so if you don’t like being a casual find a new career.

Don’t know if it would be 50% who are not bullied but even if it is, that’s not to say genuine cases shouldn’t be dealt with. I know of a suicide for example. If we take 50% that is still around 36 genuine cases at CIT and these are only the ones who have come forward.

Yep, you are probably right about casual work – it is here to stay but the rights of casuals just need protecting. CIT really did treat me and other casuals like SHIT. Just to remind people that ‘casuals’ at CIT – on so-called ‘casual contracts’ could be there indefinitely … someone I know for 9 another for 12! Teachers on these are expected to act like any other teacher – they write courses, teach courses, mark their students work, go to all staff meetings, but when they upset someone they are OUT. The argument is that if CIT can find casual work … or working ‘full time’ on rolling semester ‘casual contracts’ for upwards of 12 years for someone, they can find a permanent job for that person.

I feel for the CIT victims. As a temp I cop bullying too but am trying not to be a victim, to ignore it and soldier on with work as best I can. It is almost impossible to do anything if you are casual or Temp.

This CIT inquiry has sounded like such a frustrating and long process and it will probably come to nothing.

I keep thinking that the only way to deal with workplace Bullies are the same way you did with schoolyard bullies as a kid, stand up to them and punch them in their stupid mouth after school. They are cowards and will never bully you again after that, It works. If only this applied to adult work life, how much better would work be? How much more respectful and harmonious. Imagine punching your stupid colleague bully (usually a supervisor or someone slightly higher in a position of power) in the head and watching them crumple to the ground. One can only dream.

Affirmative Action Man5:37 pm 09 Jan 14

After 30 years in the Public Service (including about 10 years of dealing with CIT) I reckon about 50% of bullying claims are genuine & 50% are lodged by bludgers who will not work or refuse take direction from Managers.

BTW Casual employment is here to stay because its almost impossible to sack inefficient employees in the public sector so if you don’t like being a casual find a new career.

colourful sydney racing identity4:14 pm 09 Jan 14

loresev said :

snip

Hooray!

She’s back!

It’s your birthday, it’s your birthday…etc ad nauseum.

Its been a while since I visited and Riotact folks tend to visit my blog http://loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/ when I visit here so thought I’d briefly update you all on what’s happening at CIT. Well, not much as it turns out. The investigations are not over despite Andrew Kefford, Commissioner for Public Administration, sending out a ‘final report’. Even the report says the investigations are not over. There are mixed blessings. CIT claims they have instituted ‘state of the art’ anti bullying policies and procedures but the public and especially the victims have seen absolutely no evidence of this despite us asking – remembering that the CEO Kefford and others said over and over that the process would be both public and transparent. The good news ends here, if you believe the news. I sincerely hope that anyone at CIT will think twice about talking to someone else like a mangy dog … as the bullies did. I will be more than happy if CIT overhauls its Performance Management systems to allow the ‘underdog’ to report on how they have been managed – remembering that most or all people bullied were bullied by people just ahead of then – their managers. Oh, other good news is that managers MUST have some training in management! And about time. Still at issue at CIT are dodgy employment practices that ALLOWED unqualified people especially education managers, to be in charge of others. This is no secret – search Senate Estimates Committee ACT to see where Steve Doszpot has asked these same questions.

The BAD news, is that so far NO BULLY at CIT has been outed or disciplined or sacked or any such thing BUT, many victims have received letters stating that CIT does not agree they have been bullied and will take no further action! Both CIT and Kefford’s office are now treating us like pesky mozzies that just won’t go away! We are still keep in the dark and fed nothing but bullshit. My ‘matters’ have not come up and readers of my blog will be the first to know when they do. Based on the people who have received their letters who I KNOW to have been bullied … I will fare no better. We victims are now looking at court proceedings, the new Fairwork legislation, and certain pollies are looking to take the investigation in other directions. See my blog for details oh, and today I have some positive words on my blog about how to stand up for yourself. http://loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/

Whatever did happen to Chester?

Mr Evil said :

I think Kefford’s hands are probably full at the moment dealing with a few neighbourhood planning issues in Gawler Cres, so I reckon it’ll be another year before anything comes of all this……

Yes! Unfortunate that his house is so hated. Plus he has gone over to the be head of another gov dept for a month or 6 weeks (Tams I believe) so I am guessing the ACT Gov are not in much of a hurry over CIT.

Lorese

I think Kefford’s hands are probably full at the moment dealing with a few neighbourhood planning issues in Gawler Cres, so I reckon it’ll be another year before anything comes of all this……

bundah said :

There are no shortage of vile,nasty so called humans who have no issue in resorting to bullying what ever their motivation and I believe that this is mainly because they believe they can get away with it. The really frustrating thing is that they’re absolutely right as has been proven time and time again.

Seriously it’s glaringly obvious that the gummint has a limp wristed, blasé approach to reigning in this type of vile behaviour. The buck stops with the Chief Minister and she’s been MIA as far as this ugly behaviour is concerned.

I am afraid you are quite right. They have been getting away with it at CIT for years and some will still get away with it through this process because of lack of evidence. Its hard to explain bullying when the bully makes sure no one else is in ear shot when they do it. Bullies can say things that are true and reasonable but how they say it makes a difference. I believe we will still see some disciplinary action at CIT however. Things have gotten too big for them to whitewash the lot. Some current staff are even slagging their work place off on Face Book for ‘accusing them of bullying then having to back off’. What an unholy mess.

There are no shortage of vile,nasty so called humans who have no issue in resorting to bullying what ever their motivation and I believe that this is mainly because they believe they can get away with it. The really frustrating thing is that they’re absolutely right as has been proven time and time again.

Seriously it’s glaringly obvious that the gummint has a limp wristed, blasé approach to reigning in this type of vile behaviour. The buck stops with the Chief Minister and she’s been MIA as far as this ugly behaviour is concerned.

Well, we bullied are still waiting at CIT for some news on an outcome. Things are still in the process of being investigated and despite the media’s almost silence for a little while, progress apparently ferments in the wings – I just hope it does not go off and stink! It occurred to me that there should be a system for staff to offer officially sanctioned and organised feedback on their immediate manager on a yearly/semester basis just as the manager runs the worker through the hoops. In this way, managers would not be a ‘law unto themselves’ – as too many are, and would be accountable for their management behavior. More details on my blog at: http://loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/

There are now over 3000 hits on my blog http://www.loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/ so obviously there are people who are still very interested in what is going on at CIT. The investigators are currently wading through the 50+ complaints. There is one nasty little fellow with 11 against him alone so I hope he is pulling his horns in as we speak … he has felt quite invulnerable after getting away with it for 20 years. Amazing isn’t it what CIT have allowed?

loresev said :

scorpio63 said :

Congratulations L for supporting other victims of bullying in the workplace – your selflessness, kindness, time and energy addressing bullying has been years overdue. I hope someone nominates you for a Community award assisting others in the past. Any person who utters a negative comment to you is demonstrating their own bullying dispositional traits and I see you are well versed and wise by ignoring those comments; I look forward to contributing my own story one day on your site.

Thanks so much Scorpio63. I very much appreciate your comments. Lorese

loresev said :

scorpio63 said :

Congratulations L for supporting other victims of bullying in the workplace – your selflessness, kindness, time and energy addressing bullying has been years overdue. I hope someone nominates you for a Community award assisting others in the past. Any person who utters a negative comment to you is demonstrating their own bullying dispositional traits and I see you are well versed and wise by ignoring those comments; I look forward to contributing my own story one day on your site.

Thanks so much Scorpio63. I very much appreciate your comments. Lorese

There are now over 3000 hits on my blog so obviously there are people who are still very interested in what is going on. The investigators are currently wading through the 50+ complaints. There is one nasty little fellow with 11 against him alone so I hope he is pulling his horns in as we speak … he has felt quite invulnerable after getting away with it for 20 years. Amazing isn’t it what CIT have allowed?

scorpio63 said :

Congratulations L for supporting other victims of bullying in the workplace – your selflessness, kindness, time and energy addressing bullying has been years overdue. I hope someone nominates you for a Community award assisting others in the past. Any person who utters a negative comment to you is demonstrating their own bullying dispositional traits and I see you are well versed and wise by ignoring those comments; I look forward to contributing my own story one day on your site.

Thanks so much Scorpio63. I very much appreciate your comments. Lorese

Congratulations L for supporting other victims of bullying in the workplace – your selflessness, kindness, time and energy addressing bullying has been years overdue. I hope someone nominates you for a Community award assisting others in the past. Any person who utters a negative comment to you is demonstrating their own bullying dispositional traits and I see you are well versed and wise by ignoring those comments; I look forward to contributing my own story one day on your site.

BlueCollarGal12:47 pm 17 Jun 12

Change is happening. Just because there’s not trumpets blaring it out everyday doesn’t mean it isn’t.

welkin31 said :

There has been publicity that bullying is “not on” for years.
If bullying is proven at some official hearing, tribunal or whatever legal process – in that case the CIT should be able to sue the “bullyers” to compensate the bullied and pay costs – and it should be possible to tap their accumulated super fund or garnishee salaries – if they prove impossible to sue normally.

Hi Welkin

Dealing with the problem of bullying has been taken out of CIT hands and is currently being investigated by two arms of government. I believe the ACT Government are serious about getting it fixed as the trickle has become a flood and its just too messy to ignore. You are right too, we all know bullying has been outlawed for years and it is stunning that an educational institution like CIT that should be setting a good example if anything, is so deeply implicated. I don’t know about CIT suing its own bullies … they have so far protected them and I can’t decide how serious they are about actually getting rid of them or if they are just in damage control mode … ie seen to do a few things, business as usual when it dies down.

L

There has been publicity that bullying is “not on” for years.
If bullying is proven at some official hearing, tribunal or whatever legal process – in that case the CIT should be able to sue the “bullyers” to compensate the bullied and pay costs – and it should be possible to tap their accumulated super fund or garnishee salaries – if they prove impossible to sue normally.

I thought this was going to be some reasonable discussion, not a back-slapping waste of space.

Loresev, you come across like a paranoid android on your Blog. I followed the link but when you said the amount of hits on your blog “could mean that CIT are after you” I laughed, and clicked close. There’s plenty of conspiracy theory websites that I’m sure both of you here would enjoy, maybe you should stick to those.

HenryBG said :

loresev said :

HenryBG said :

Clearly there are perpetrators. And as usual, no personal responsibility will be sheeted home.
Happened with Canberra Hospital, where the perpetrators went so far as to kill a girl. But none of them did gaol time over it. And Rhodium, run by thieves, none of whom were put in gaol.

That’s usually the case HenryBG so why do I hope that this time it’ll be different? Damn politics and workplace politics, makes me want to go live in a cave and write poems for the rest of my life.

I’m completely with you on the cave thing, but I’ll pass on the poetry in favour of some fishing and a bit of carpentry.

Ha ha! Well HenryBG … I’d need someone to keep me in food (fish would be fine) and build some rough furniture in my cave … so if you’d like to join me …

loresev said :

HenryBG said :

Clearly there are perpetrators. And as usual, no personal responsibility will be sheeted home.
Happened with Canberra Hospital, where the perpetrators went so far as to kill a girl. But none of them did gaol time over it. And Rhodium, run by thieves, none of whom were put in gaol.

That’s usually the case HenryBG so why do I hope that this time it’ll be different? Damn politics and workplace politics, makes me want to go live in a cave and write poems for the rest of my life.

I’m completely with you on the cave thing, but I’ll pass on the poetry in favour of some fishing and a bit of carpentry.

HenryBG said :

Clearly there are perpetrators. And as usual, no personal responsibility will be sheeted home.
Happened with Canberra Hospital, where the perpetrators went so far as to kill a girl. But none of them did gaol time over it. And Rhodium, run by thieves, none of whom were put in gaol.

That’s usually the case HenryBG so why do I hope that this time it’ll be different? Damn politics and workplace politics, makes me want to go live in a cave and write poems for the rest of my life.

Clearly there are perpetrators. And as usual, no personal responsibility will be sheeted home.
Happened with Canberra Hospital, where the perpetrators went so far as to kill a girl. But none of them did gaol time over it. And Rhodium, run by thieves, none of whom were put in gaol.

“Not a good look” (JohnBoy) You can say that again! It’s a ‘stinkin rotten’ look as we used to say. Current and past staff such as myself are not convinced the bullies will ever be brought to justice. They are still there after all … of course CIT would say ‘due process’ must be followed … except it wasn’t with any of us and we are still out in the cold. ‘Due process’ is only available to fulltime permanent workers at CIT. We casuals are still hung out here blowin in the wind to dry …My blog and personal email attached to it now has over 850 hits and grows each day. I am speaking to victims daily. I’ll believe that things have changed at CIT when the victims are approached in some way and apologised to by CIT .. or are given their jobs back. More on my blog at http://www.loreseverasblog.blogspot.com.au/

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