Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson accused of falling asleep at desk and mood swings by staff
A REPORT accusing Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson of frequently falling asleep at his desk and erratic mood swings has been leaked as a leadership tussle denigrates into mudslinging and personal attacks.
Parramatta
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A PRELIMINARY report and statements which include an accusation that Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson frequently falls asleep at his desk and has erratic mood swings has been leaked as a leadership tussle denigrates into mudslinging and personal attacks.
Parramatta Council chief executive Mark Stapleton ordered an independent investigation into the conduct of Cr Wilson towards employees two weeks before he was suspended from his role over allegations he falsified parts of his CV.
Mr Stapleton denies the allegations.
A series of statements were obtained in the course of preparing the preliminary report that were not confirmed.
The investigator, from FCB Workplace Law, said she was unable to substantiate any of the allegations against Cr Wilson because witnesses had withdrawn from the investigation process after making their initial statements.
One council employee described a work environment where the lord mayor communicated with staff “the same way a warden might send a message to prisoners”.
Another claims that at times Cr Wilson was “paranoid”, “extremely forgetful” and slept on the job.
“He falls asleep at his desk constantly – at least a couple of times a day,” one witness said. “We will close the door quietly and not let anyone disturb him because he seems like he needs a break.”
One staff member described Cr Wilson’s erratic mood swings which had once resulted in him “physically shaking with rage”.
“He can go from a euphoric high ... to lows (his veins pop out of his head and he shouts),” the staff member said.
Other criticisms were more personal, including an attack on Cr Wilson’s appearance and fashion choices.
“The Lord Mayor’s appearance is frequently dishevelled. His collar is up, his shirt untucked and his fly undone,” the staff member said.
“He always wears mismatched clothes, for example pants from one suit and a jacket from another suit.”
According to one employee, Cr Wilson’s overall mood darkened following the appointment of Mr Stapleton to the $500,000 chief executive role in July.
Mr Stapleton’s appointment was made after an 8-7 vote in the council chamber. Cr Wilson voted against his appointment due to concerns about his suitability and experience for the role.
“This was the trigger for sudden change in the Lord Mayor’s mood,” one employee said.
“It was almost like a depression ... his mood was quite dark.”
Staff members said the mayor then became obsessed with the idea that someone was leaking information from his office to his political opponents. He began accusing employees of betrayal and tried to have their office seating rearranged.
“Morale has hit a real low,” a staff member said.
Another staff member said many employees felt sorry for Cr Wilson who “doesn’t have any friends” and “comes across like a kooky uncle, a bit bizarre but usually benign and well meaning”.
Despite their concerns, all of the staff members expressed respect for the lord mayor whom one described as “quite intelligent”.
Cr Wilson did not respond to the specific allegations raised with him by the Advertiser, but said he would be happy to co-operate with any investigation.
“On the evening of the extraordinary meeting September 7, 2018 Mr Stapleton informed all councillors by email that he had made a referral to the Office of Local Government (OLG). Whilst I have not heard from the OLG, I would be more than happy to assist them with any inquiries,” Cr Wilson said.
The leaked report comes after a series of tit-for-tat accusations that have emerged at the council over the past month.
Mr Stapleton claimed he felt bullied by Cr Wilson during a meeting over allegations he overstated his experience on his CV and that it was retaliation for his investigation into “allegations of bullying and harassment made by staff”.
“In relation to our meeting this morning, I wish to place on record that you were shouting and speaking at me in an aggressive voice while you were shaking violently as your face turned red,” Mr Stapleton said in an email to Cr Wilson on Friday, August 31.
At an extraordinary council meeting on Friday, September 7, councillors resolved they did not accept the allegations made against Mr Stapleton but voted to suspend him pending an investigation into his hiring and background.
A council spokeswoman said the process of appointing an investigator had begun.
“Advice has been sought from a number of external agencies including the internal ombudsmen, Local Government NSW, and Office of Local Government and the council is finalising the appointment arrangements of an eminently qualified person to lead the reviews,” she said.
The independent investigator will be chosen by acting chief executive Sue Coleman, as delegated by the council at the September 10 meeting.
TIMELINE
June 25: CEO appointment hearings
June 26: Mark Stapleton appointed CEO
July 9: Mr Stapleton’s first council meeting as CEO. Letter from Cr Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian regarding Willow Grove is released to councillors, prompting leaking claims
July 13: Cr Wilson holds meeting accusing staff of leaking
August 9: Meeting between CEO and staff seeking feedback on working environment
August 16: Allegations of bullying against Cr Wilson are formally documented.
August 20: Investigator is appointed by Mr Stapleton to investigate claims
August 21: An investigator from FCB Workplace Law interviews employees
August 30: Claims of falsified CEO CV leaked to Fairfax
August 31: Meeting held between Mark Stapleton and Andrew Wilson. Mr Stapleton later accuses Cr Wilson of bullying and spitting in rage. Cr Wilson told the Advertiser he was not “aware of any of the details of any allegations concerning
September 3: Cr Wilson sends letter to Mr Stapleton demanding additional information on his employment background
September 3: Four witnesses who gave statements to the investigator withdraw their participation, ending the investigation.
September 7: Extraordinary council meeting is held and Mr Stapleton is suspended pending an investigation into his employment history and recruitment.