QUT senior executives headed for leadership training

The Queensland University of Technology has revealed what it plans to do in response to claims of bullying and intimidation in the workplace.

Senior executives at one of Queensland’s largest universities will be sent to leadership training and an external complaints system introduced following multiple allegations of a toxic culture of bullying and intimidation.

Earlier this month The Courier-Mail revealed multiple distressing claims from staff at the Queensland University of Technology, including about being singled out and humiliated in meetings, spoken over in front of peers and micromanaged despite years of experience.

Academics have claimed their workloads have practically doubled after hundreds of contract staff were also let go in drastic cost-cutting moves, some after more than 15 years of service.

And an open letter sent to university Chancellor Xiaoling Liu in late March claimed staff were “afraid to speak up” out of fear of losing their jobs.

An open letter from staff to QUT chancellor Xiaoling Liu raised a number of concerns about the university’s culture. Picture: Supplied

In an email to staff on Friday, Vice-Chancellor Margaret Sheil said the university council had “reflected on recent concerns expressed about QUT culture” at a recent meeting, and three recommendations were ultimately endorsed.

“First, we will establish an independent, external complaints process in addition to our current policies and processes, to provide a mechanism by which complaints can be raised without concerns for job security,” she wrote.

Ms Sheil added the service would be “implemented as a matter of priority”.

“We will improve our organisational culture through a leadership development program, starting from the most senior leaders of the University and continue to focus and streamline our internal communications,” she said.

“Finally, as foreshadowed in previous emails, a new QUT staff survey will be conducted in September, which will provide important baseline data and identify areas for additional actions in 2022 and beyond.”

QUT Vice-Chancellor Margaret Sheil says a new external complaints process will be introduced at the university. Picture: Glenn Hunt/The Australian

But staff told The Courier-Mail while an independent complaints process was a “good idea”, they questioned whether it would be a priority.

“Do they really understand the urgency of this?” they said.

“Also, what happens after the complaint is made? What steps are taken to remedy the issue?”

Staff also questioned why leadership training was necessary for people in senior leadership roles, and claimed the most recent staff survey results in 2018 were “swept under the rug”.

“It’s long overdue and to be honest, it’s a very small step but at least in the right direction,” they said.

“Staff will need to see immediate and concrete changes, and see the decision makers lead by example, to believe any real change is coming.”