‘Systemic bullying, harassment’: Toxic firey culture crisis explodes as Premier forced to intervene

A toxic culture of ‘systemic contempt, bullying, harassment and discrimination’ within the QFES has exploded with an open letter to the Premier exposing the deep crisis. READ THE LETTER

Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland general manager Justin Choveaux has written an open letter to Premier Steven Miles.

Premier Steven Miles has been asked to launch an independent investigation into Queensland Fire and Emergency Services amid claims of bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland general manager Justin Choveaux penned an open letter to Mr Miles on Thursday, urgently requesting an investigation after complaints were made to him by multiple QFES employees.

The letter said paid staff had made complaints of systemic contempt, bullying, harassment and discrimination based primarily on gender, professional backgrounds and progressive leadership.

The Courier-Mail understands complaints included female employees being demeaned, employees overlooked for promotion, and unwanted touching.

The association said complaints rose over the past few months following the resignation of commissioner Greg Leach in October.

Mr Leach has no connection to the complaints raised with the Rural Fire Brigades Association.

In his letter, Mr Choveaux wrote that staff had resorted to contacting him as they had no faith or trust in the QFES or fire and rescue service to fairly investigate the claims, as they believed the discrimination was systemic.

“Individuals report being collectively targeted and being exposed to prolonged behaviours that lead to impacts on personal and professional reputations on executives, staff and volunteers across services and that this has instilled fear, anxiety, defeatism and poor morale and psychological health,” he wrote.

Mr Miles acknowledged the “serious concerns”, and arranged for Mr Choveaux to meet with newly appointed Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd.

“I’ve asked the new Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery to meet with him,” he said.

“I would encourage anyone to refer complaints to the relevant body.”

Mr Choveaux told The Courier-Mail he could not discuss who or exactly how many staff members had made the reports, but they were not people from within the Rural Fire Service.

The letter to the Premier

“That’s why we have gone to the Premier and not the (QFES) department,” he said.

“This is a government department with repeated behaviours.
“The Premier must act, and I believe he will.”

The letter cites a previous independent review held into both QFES and the Public Safety Business Agency in 2014.

The review was commissioned by Ms Margaret Allison following sexual harassment and bullying complaints and the PSBA’s handling of the complaints.

The Allison review found QFES and PSBA failed to respond effectively to a particular sexual harassment incident involving the distribution of an offensive list between male employees.

Female officers targeted were moved following the complaint, but no male officers involved in the distribution of the list were moved.

The report identified systemic organisational problems within QFES that limited the organisation’s ability to respond appropriately and effectively to such matters generally.

The government implemented 30 recommendations following the review which included mandatory code of conduct training for all staff, making the complaints processes clearer, ensuring complaints and disciplinary data was collated properly, and replacing the QFES ethical standards unit with a new workplace HR division.

A QFES Harassment Information Line was also established providing confidential services to all QFES personnel.

A QFES spokesman said the department takes the conduct of its employees seriously.

“And expects the highest standard of professional and ethical behaviour,” he said.

“It has zero tolerance of any behaviour that does not uphold an inclusive and respectful environment for its staff and volunteers.”

Regarding the current complaints person the spokesman said there were multiple avenues available, as well as review process should an employee be unsatisfied with a complaints outcome.

“Allegations are assessed and if warranted, a thorough investigation is done by the Relations and Standards Branch,” he said.

“QFES does not comment on matters being assessed or investigated.”