AFL 2021: Independent reviewer appointed to look at league’s workplace policies

As it moves to improve its working environment, the AFL has an appointed independent investigator to look at its workplace policies at AFL House.

The AFL has appointed an independent investigator to review league policies, with the goal of improving a workplace that’s been rocked by serious bullying and harassment claims.

Businesswoman Rhonda Brighton-Hall will oversee the review into the AFL’s gender policies and look at how the league responds to complaints and place a greater focus on complainants’ welfare.

The AFL confirmed Brighton-Hall’s appointment to News Corp, in partnership with her consulting firm, Making Work Absolutely Human.

She will also be directly involved in AFL staff training around respectful relationships and help enhance the transition and wellbeing support services for outgoing employees.

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Gillon McLachlan is eager to continue the AFL’s “cultural change agenda” and strengthen talent pathways for women.

It’s understood the AFL has introduced other initiatives, including roundtable discussions with female staff members, while league chief executive Gillon McLachlan addressed staff several times on the topic in recent weeks.

McLachlan also wrote an extensive letter to all staff last week, when he mentioned continuing the AFL’s “cultural change agenda” and strengthening talent pathways for women.

Increasing the number of women working at the AFL and in senior positions there is also believed to be a priority.

The review follows explosive accusations in The Australian that 14 people quit working at the AFL after bullying, poor behaviour or harassment in the past nine years.

Eleven of those 14 signed confidentiality agreements, with part of Brighton-Hall’s role to remove any confusion around them.

McLachlan says the league is committed to building a safe environment and a culture of inclusion.

Four women told The Australian they were left feeling “suicidal” after difficult workplace experiences at the AFL.

News Corp journalist Michael Warner’s book The Boys’ Club has also lifted the lid on AFL practices and revealed claims of an “unsafe” work environment.

One woman alleged in the book that her “ranting” male boss locked her in an AFL House meeting room and even threw a pen at her head, leading to her resignation.

The manager kept his job despite another employee also complaining about his bullying behaviour.

The woman said she had subsequently dealt with depression and PTSD and became “suicidal” after her experience at the AFL.

AFL chairman Richard Goyder also communicated to all 18 club presidents — as a group and individually — that the league must “get better” with its treatment of women, and employees in general.

Goyder told the presidents the AFL’s separation agreements needed to be addressed, and that it must listen more to people who have had bad experiences working at head office.