Acting Playford Council CEO Sam Green at centre of serious bullying allegations

The acting boss of an embattled northern Adelaide council is at the centre of bullying allegations towards a colleague but remains in his highly paid job.

A formal complaint has been lodged against Acting Playford Council CEO Sam Green, pictured.

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The acting boss of an embattled northern Adelaide council is at the centre of bullying allegations towards a colleague but remains in his highly paid job.

The Sunday Mail has learned temporary Playford Council chief executive Sam Green, 42, was last week formally accused of serious bullying, shortly after being promoted.

But Mr Green – who as deputy chief executive earned $273,270 with a ratepayer-funded car – remains at work despite his former boss, Mal Hemmerling, being suspended last month over similar allegations.

Dr Hemmerling, 72, was sent home to Stirling on full pay from his $366,287-a-year chief executive role almost a month ago over claims of serious and wilful misconduct.

Playford Council Mayor Glenn Docherty communicated the suspension via email after a secret meeting of his former elected members days before the November local government elections.

Neither Mr Green, the council nor Mr Docherty, 35, would answer questions about the latest allegations.

As Mr Hemmerling threatens legal action, the council has battled claims staff – including its executive team – work within a “culture of bullying” that escalated to an alleged “coup plot”.

Several sources said the senior manager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on Friday lodged a formal complaint against Mr Green, a father of two from Prospect.

It is understood the manager has been left devastated by systematic workplace bullying and alleged failures to address it.

The council would not say whether it was subject to an internal, or external, investigation or why Mr Green had not been stood down.

In July, a junior female worker, aged in her 20s, accused Dr Hemmerling of making an inappropriate comment towards her.

Dr Hemmerling, who denies any wrongdoing, informally met with the woman and her mother, in mediations, during which he apologised and the matter was considered finalised.

Since then, however, the council has instructed at least four major law firms – which have provided conflicting advice – and a further three employment mediation businesses to investigate workplace safety within senior management.

That official cost to ratepayers is almost $90,000 but that bill is expected to exceed $200,000.

Dr Hemmerling’s lawyer, Greg Griffin, accused the council of “double standards”.

Suspended CEO Mal Hemmerling.

“If it is the case that there has been a formal complaint against Mr Green and he has not been stood down pending an investigation, the disparity in the treatment Mal Hemmerling was afforded, when there was no complaint against him, is inexplicable and indicative of a dysfunctional council,” he said.

A council spokeswoman said it “takes workplace safety seriously and has established a formal, confidential process to deal with any allegations made by concerned parties”.

“That process is both fair and appropriate having regard to the nature of the issues, which are subject to investigation,” she said.

“Since the council suspended Mr Hemmerling, there have been various claims regarding the investigation made through the media.

“It is not appropriate for the council or any of the parties involved to be making or responding to claims through the media.

“The appropriate forum is through the process currently running its course.”