AOC review confirms allegations of a dysfunctional culture scarred by favouritism, fear and unfairness

AOC president John Coates says he’s not to blame for a dysfunctional culture tarred by fear, favouritism and open hostility in the organisation and is adamant he won’t quit.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH — 2017 AOC AGM held at the MCA in Sydney. John Coates retains his presidency at the AOC and talks to the media after the vote.

AUSTRALIAN Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates says he’s not to blame for a dysfunctional culture tarred by fear, favouritism and open hostility in the organisation.

Coates says he won’t quit following a damning independent review of the AOC which lifted the lid on poor workplace culture.

“Why should I resign?” Coates told reporters. “There has been no confirmation of bullying.

“There has been some criticism of senior leaders - I’m the president, I’m not the senior leader that is being criticised.

“There has been no treatment of the staff by me that is objectionable.”

Coates and chief executive Matt Carroll also confirmed Ian Chesterman as Kitty Chiller’s replacement as chef de mission for Tokyo in 2020.

An independent review of the AOC’s workplace practices confirmed allegations of a dysfunctional culture scarred by favouritism, fear and unfairness.

The report compiled by the Ethics Centre paints a grim picture as Mike Tancred’s career hangs by a thread in the wake of investigations into bullying claims against veteran media director.

He remains on full pay after standing down in April after former CEO Fiona de Jong, once the organisation’s brightest star, tabled claims of entrenched bullying.

Tancred was cleared of bullying de Jong — and instead severely reprimanded — despite threatening to “bury” her.

John Coates retained his presidency at the AOC earlier this year

An independent panel of former judges has also been investigating allegations Tancred allegedly told former AOC staffer Ryan Wells he would kill him.

The AOC has committed to adopt 17 recommendations from the Ethics Centre after a string of administrators, including the respected Sue O’Donnell, quit.

The workplace review, compiled after interviews and surveys with current and former AOC employees as well as with 45 national sports federations, failed to find evidence of a bullying culture at the organisation.

But it found there was a toxic environment marked by “senior leaders undermining each other, working around each other, and openly displaying hostility towards each other.”

Favouritism and unfair treatment were common concerns raised by staff.

“Some staff felt that the response to any mistakes that they might make was disproportionate and inversely calibrated to levels of seniority,” the report said.

“More junior staff described being exposed to: ‘public’ shaming ... the loss of privileges/opportunities, or threats of reputational damage.

Texts between former ceo, Fiona De Jong and her husband regarding being bullied by Mike Tancred. Supplied ABC News

“It was felt that more significant mistakes, made by senior staff and the executive, including those that have caused direct reputational damage to the AOC, were ignored.”

There were complaints about disparity in wages.

One anonymous staffer was quoted: “The finances don’t allow us to get CPI increases then you find out about generous retention incentive payments for senior staff in addition to their already high salaries ... people get rewarded for bad behaviour here.”

Tancred was promised a $125,000 bonus by Coates if he stayed in his job until November 2020.

Described as a “golden handcuffs” deal, Tancred was in December, 2015 guaranteed the $125,000 “retention incentive payment’’ in addition to any ­increase to his $330,610 salary if he remained with the AOC.

The Ethics Centre report said Carroll’s appointment in May is “seen as a hopeful sign that that the organisation is on a track to recovery. Finally, there is hope that the various investigations/cultural reviews will lead to positive change.”

Ian Chesterman replaces Kitty Chiller as the Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 @telegraph_sport pic.twitter.com/tAIHiD7apr

— Carly Adno (@CarlyW226) August 24, 2017

Carroll said: “This review provides us with the platform to reset the organisation. The AOC’s modes of operation that may at one time have served us well are being questioned and our organisational culture has come under scrutiny.

“The AOC Executive acknowledges the reality of the challenge we face in this area and we are committed to build a culture that is fit for purpose and aligned to our exposed values and principles.

“The review is robust in its observations and direct in its recommendations. The review poses challenges to the AOC Executive, Senior Management and staff. Challenges that the President and I are firmly committed to meeting. To this end, the Executive has resolved to implement all 17 of the review’s recommendations and has directed that the Review be made publicly available via the AOC website.

“The executive acknowledges to staff and stakeholders that there have been behaviours and practices that have not been aligned to the AOC’s values. I have a very strong view that you lead by the example you set. Not words, actions.”