Exclusive Melbourne club founder convicted over workplace bullying

A founder of one of Melbourne’s most exclusive men’s clubs — which boasts prominent AFL, political and business identities as members — has been convicted and fined for a string of serious workplace bullying cases at his Cheltenham security company.

A security company director and former police officer who shoved his wife in a shocking workplace attack has been convicted and fined for repeatedly bullying his employees.

John Moncrieff and his Cheltenham-based security company, Monjon Pty Ltd, were convicted and fined more than $115,000 after pleading guilty to one charge each of failing to provide a safe and without risk working environment.

Moncrieff — who made sexually suggestive and racist comments to his employees, threatened to cut their pay and made inappropriate contact with them — was fined $19,250 and Monjon a further $97,000.

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The ruling comes after WorkSafe was called to the company’s Bay Rd office in October, 2015 after Moncrieff was captured on CCTV shoving his now ex-wife Traci along a corridor in front of other staff.

In a second incident, Moncrieff refused to allow a worker to leave the office until she assured him she would not leave the company after the shoving.

A WorkSafe investigation found Moncrieff — the founder of an all-male network called The Brotherhood whose membership list includes business figures, AFL and soccer identities, police and politicians — led a culture of “entrenched bullying” at the company between April, 2015 and August, 2016.

Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court heard the investigation documented Mr Moncrieff’s violent episodes, including swearing, using racist language to describe his employees and encouraging a culture of managers speaking aggressively to their employees.

John Moncrieff has been fined over workplace bullying at his security business.

The behaviour left some workers psychologically damaged.

WorkSafe health and safety executive director Julie Nielsen said there was no excuse for the director’s “inappropriate, sexist, racist and demeaning behaviour”.

“Under no circumstances is it acceptable for managers or directors to abuse their position of power by acting aggressively or inappropriately towards employees,” Ms Nielsen said.

“Bullying can have long term health effects on workers that are every bit as serious as those sustained from physical injuries … WorkSafe will not tolerate behaviour of this nature.”

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In 2016, Moncrieff’s ex-wife told the Herald Sun her partner had a “big heart” and she did not regard the incident as an assault.

“At no stage have I ever felt in fear for my life or threatened by John Moncrieff,” she said during a phone conversation recorded by their lawyer.

“He is a very firm businessman and that is the reason why we’re a successful business.”

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