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Workplace bullying whistleblowers shouldn't fear press hatchet jobs Workplace bullying whistleblowers shouldn't fear press hatchet jobs
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In 2006, waitress Brodie Panlock took her own life. Her suicide occurred after enduring a campaign of protracted bullying by her workmates – including being spat on and doused in fish oil.In 2006, waitress Brodie Panlock took her own life. Her suicide occurred after enduring a campaign of protracted bullying by her workmates – including being spat on and doused in fish oil.
The perpetrators and her employer were prosecuted and heavily fined – some four years after her death. Her death sparked a strong community response. As one news outlet described the situation:The perpetrators and her employer were prosecuted and heavily fined – some four years after her death. Her death sparked a strong community response. As one news outlet described the situation:
Related: Daniel Andrews defends decision to demote but not sack Adem SomyurekRelated: Daniel Andrews defends decision to demote but not sack Adem Somyurek
The four men who drove this woman to commit suicide were fined under vastly inadequate Victorian workplace laws. These cowards are worse than workplace bullies. They are thugs who should face criminal charges.The four men who drove this woman to commit suicide were fined under vastly inadequate Victorian workplace laws. These cowards are worse than workplace bullies. They are thugs who should face criminal charges.
The same news outlet opined that there “should be a change to the law to bring workplace bullying under more serious scrutiny”.The same news outlet opined that there “should be a change to the law to bring workplace bullying under more serious scrutiny”.
That news outlet was Melbourne’s Herald Sun. Subsequently campaigned, along with Brodie Panlock’s parents, for law reform. The important campaign succeeded and a new anti-bullying law, dubbed “Brodie’s Law”, was introduced in June 2011. That news outlet was Melbourne’s Herald Sun. Subsequently it campaigned, along with Brodie Panlock’s parents, for law reform. The important campaign succeeded and a new anti-bullying law, dubbed “Brodie’s Law”, was introduced in June 2011.
A subsequent campaign for further law reform was also successful, culminating in Bill Shorten introducing Australia’s first national anti-bullying law in June 2013.A subsequent campaign for further law reform was also successful, culminating in Bill Shorten introducing Australia’s first national anti-bullying law in June 2013.
The issue of workplace bullying touches many people in the community: the employees caught up in it, their families, friends and colleagues. Prior to the awful details of Panlock’s experiences, and indeed since that time, disturbing cases of bullying at work have been made public, across a range of industries.The issue of workplace bullying touches many people in the community: the employees caught up in it, their families, friends and colleagues. Prior to the awful details of Panlock’s experiences, and indeed since that time, disturbing cases of bullying at work have been made public, across a range of industries.
On May 21 this year, a 28-year-old-woman in a distressed state made a complaint of workplace bullying against her boss, a powerful political figure. Her employer acted swiftly and honourably, standing down both parties from work on full pay pending the outcome of an independent investigation by a former judge. On May 21 this year, a 28-year-old-woman in a distressed state made a complaint of workplace bullying against her boss, a powerful political figure. Her employer acted swiftly and honourably, standing down both parties from work on full pay pending the outcome of an independent investigation by a former judge.
The woman who made the complaint was named Dimity Paul. She had endured months of unreasonable conduct at work and feared retribution if she made a complaint. Yet she took the brave step of reporting the situation to her employer.The woman who made the complaint was named Dimity Paul. She had endured months of unreasonable conduct at work and feared retribution if she made a complaint. Yet she took the brave step of reporting the situation to her employer.
The man she made the complaint against was the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade in the Victorian state government, Adem Somyurek. Subsequently, another staff member also complained about his conduct.The man she made the complaint against was the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade in the Victorian state government, Adem Somyurek. Subsequently, another staff member also complained about his conduct.
It is safe to assume that in many cases of workplace bullying, by the time a victim summons the courage to speak up and make a complaint, their health has already been compromised. So how people are treated after making a complaint is of critical importance.It is safe to assume that in many cases of workplace bullying, by the time a victim summons the courage to speak up and make a complaint, their health has already been compromised. So how people are treated after making a complaint is of critical importance.
A former judge, Michael Strong, was tasked with investigating any allegations of conduct that could adversely affect the health, safety or well-being of Somyrek’s staff.A former judge, Michael Strong, was tasked with investigating any allegations of conduct that could adversely affect the health, safety or well-being of Somyrek’s staff.
Regrettably, while the investigation was underway, Somyurek and a small band of his anonymous political allies prosecuted a campaign against Paul.Regrettably, while the investigation was underway, Somyurek and a small band of his anonymous political allies prosecuted a campaign against Paul.
The campaign had two dimensions; derogatory material furnished to the investigator in the course of the investigation. Secondly, a sustained media assault was launched, principally from one outlet – the Herald Sun.The campaign had two dimensions; derogatory material furnished to the investigator in the course of the investigation. Secondly, a sustained media assault was launched, principally from one outlet – the Herald Sun.
In the course of the investigation, Somyurek submitted over 10 witness statements, the bulk of which were deemed irrelevant by Strong and did not address the allegations made against him. They came from people who had not witnessed the allegations, including, comically, his ministerial driver.  In the course of the investigation, Somyurek submitted over 10 witness statements, the bulk of which were deemed irrelevant by Strong and did not address the allegations made against him. They came from people who had not witnessed the allegations, including, comically, his ministerial driver.
Instead, the statements criticised Paul’s character, traversing her previous employment, apparent conversations and events going back seven years. Instead, the statements criticised Paul’s character, traversing her previous employment, apparent conversations and events going back seven years.
In tandem, the Herald Sun’s coverage alleged Paul had made her complaint in order to advance a factional dispute in the ALP. Paul was depicted variously by unnamed sources as frivolous, inexperienced, overly ambitious, disloyal and incompetent.In tandem, the Herald Sun’s coverage alleged Paul had made her complaint in order to advance a factional dispute in the ALP. Paul was depicted variously by unnamed sources as frivolous, inexperienced, overly ambitious, disloyal and incompetent.
The coverage included gratuitous and repeated use of photographs of her on the happiest day of her life – her wedding day. The effect of juxtaposing these joyous images with the coverage of a serious matter – an investigation into workplace bullying allegations – was to trivialise her complaint and to cast doubt about her motives. The coverage included gratuitous and repeated use of photographs of her on the happiest day of her life – her wedding day. The effect of juxtaposing these joyous images with the coverage of a serious matter – an investigation into workplace bullying allegations – was to trivialise her complaint and to cast doubt about her motives.
A front page article that appeared in the Herald Sun on 20 June 2015, and labelled an “EXCLUSIVE”, was headed “In Her Sights-How an ambitious adviser brought down a minister and plunged the Premier into crisis”.A front page article that appeared in the Herald Sun on 20 June 2015, and labelled an “EXCLUSIVE”, was headed “In Her Sights-How an ambitious adviser brought down a minister and plunged the Premier into crisis”.
By indulging Somyurek’s misguided and cowardly group of supporters while an investigation was underway, the Herald Sun has sent a powerful message to all employees contemplating taking a difficult decision to report bullying by their boss: if you blow the whistle, you risk a hatchet job in the full public glare.By indulging Somyurek’s misguided and cowardly group of supporters while an investigation was underway, the Herald Sun has sent a powerful message to all employees contemplating taking a difficult decision to report bullying by their boss: if you blow the whistle, you risk a hatchet job in the full public glare.
The outcome of the investigation has now vindicated Dimity Paul’s bullying complaint. It established that Somyurek bullied Paul – including by manhandling her. It also established that Somyurek was an unreliable witness and sought to vilify Paul during the investigation. A man in denial, Somyurek has resigned in disgrace.The outcome of the investigation has now vindicated Dimity Paul’s bullying complaint. It established that Somyurek bullied Paul – including by manhandling her. It also established that Somyurek was an unreliable witness and sought to vilify Paul during the investigation. A man in denial, Somyurek has resigned in disgrace.
Related: Victorian minister, Adem Somyurek, blames bullying allegations on union plotRelated: Victorian minister, Adem Somyurek, blames bullying allegations on union plot
The response of the Herald Sun? On 30 July, it published a column by its chief crusader on this story, James Campbell, calling into question the credentials of the investigator and the outcome he reached.  The response of the Herald Sun? On 30 July, it published a column by its chief crusader on this story, James Campbell, calling into question the credentials of the investigator and the outcome he reached.
Unlike the investigator, Campbell did not interview any witnesses before concluding that “poor Somyurek is toast” and that Dimity Paul had “turned on the waterworks for the cameras like a Masterchef contestant whose soufflé has failed to rise”. Journalism? Or causing further damage to the health of a bullying victim who has already suffered enormous distress.Unlike the investigator, Campbell did not interview any witnesses before concluding that “poor Somyurek is toast” and that Dimity Paul had “turned on the waterworks for the cameras like a Masterchef contestant whose soufflé has failed to rise”. Journalism? Or causing further damage to the health of a bullying victim who has already suffered enormous distress.
Had the Herald Sun set out to deliberately destroy the legacy of its commendable campaign in support of Brodie’s Law, it could not have done a better job. Long after this current crusade against a workplace bullying victim subsides and Dimity Paul gets back to work, employees in workplaces will invariably face the same questions that confronted Paul: how will I be treated if I complain? And is it worth it?Had the Herald Sun set out to deliberately destroy the legacy of its commendable campaign in support of Brodie’s Law, it could not have done a better job. Long after this current crusade against a workplace bullying victim subsides and Dimity Paul gets back to work, employees in workplaces will invariably face the same questions that confronted Paul: how will I be treated if I complain? And is it worth it?