Whittlesea councillor Mary Lalios denies workplace bullying allegations

A WHITTLESEA councillor has denied allegations of workplace bullying despite receiving an official warning from chief executive Simon Overland.

Whittlesea Councillor Mary Lalios has denied allegations of workplace bullying.

WHITTLESEA councillor Mary Lalios vehemently denies allegations of workplace bullying at a Whittlesea Disability Network Committee Meeting earlier this month after having been given an official warning.

The South East Ward councillor was given the warning via letter from Whittlesea chief executive Simon Overland.

However, a witness at the meeting denies Cr Lalios did anything that warranted a complaint.

In the letter, Mr Overland sited “several sources” had referred Cr Lalios’ poor behaviour at the meeting back to him.

He said Cr Lalios’ questioning of an officer “was inconsistent with the Protocol for Councillor and Council staff”.

Mr Overland also wrote that Cr Lalios’ behaviour was “not appropriate” and “could also been viewed as workplace bullying”.

“You place yourself and the organisation at risk in conducting yourself in the manner reported,” Mr Overland wrote.

“Your line of questioning and demeanour was interpreted as critical of and disrespectful to the officer.”

It is understood, Cr Lalios was questioning the officer to justify and explain the basis on which Whittlesea 2040, the council’s strategic plan, is being undertaken.

Sources at the meeting said Cr Lalios, who is also president of the Municipal Association of Victoria, asked the officer “why is the first time I’m hearing about this plan”.

Mr Overland wrote to Cr Lalios that he was “surprised by the reported assertion that you are not aware of Whittlesea 2040”.

“It has been discussed numerous times with councillors,” Mr Overland wrote.

“It was a major part of the recent council retreat and significant reports were circulated to all councillors as part of the agenda.”

However a witness at the meeting, who did not wish to be named, said Cr Lalios did nothing that warranted a complaint.

“All she wanted to do was get answers to questions like a few up us did,” the witness said.

In a statement to Leader News, Cr Lalios said she “vehemently refutes the allegations”.

“I merely asked a question to clarify the status of Whittlesea 2025 (council’s earlier plan) as some people at the meeting expressed concerns with the officer’s response,” she said.

“I look forward to resolving any misinformation provided to the CEO as a matter of urgency.”

Cr Lalios said she “wished” Mr Overland had contacted her first before the letter was emailed to other councillors, directors and executive assistants.

“Due caution needs to be exercised by all parties when making such allegations,” Cr Lalios said.

Council Partnerships and Engagement director Liana Thompson said all councillors received an email containing Mr Lalios’ warning “as a reminder of how staff and councillors are expected to work together”.

“Councillor and staff interaction at the City of Whittlesea follows an internal working protocol that links to the Local Government Act and the Councillor Code of Conduct, which all councillors have signed and committed to following,” Ms Thompson said.

“The protocol outlines the expectations of staff and councillors interaction with the Code of Conduct detailing the process that is applicable to councillors.”

According to the Whittlesea Protocol for Councillor and Council Staff Interaction, councillors must not criticise staff in front of any external person or entity to the council.

It also states any concerns held by councillor about a member of staff must be raised with the chief executive, consistent with the legislative requirements of the Local Government Act.