Parramatta City Council had been formally warned for failing to provide a psychologicallly safe workplace, following complaints about councillor behaviour, including yelling, ridicule and intimidation.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that SafeWork NSW has issued an improvement notice which is on display outside the council chamber. .
It requires councillor behaviour towards each other and staff to be improved to avoid potential prosecution and the imposition of penalities.
It’s understood the behaviour at the heart of the complaints has largely occurred at closed workshops and briefings.
It is alleged the behaviour is not being appropriately addressed. Acting chief executive Bryan Hynes said the council is working closely with SafeWork NSW on the matter.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Feb 2023, p.11