11:30 am, Wednesday 13 December, 2006

Article from: AAP

FOUR Sydney-based RailCorp managers have been sacked and two others disciplined after a female employee complained of sexual harassment.

Anastasia Dhillon was a RailCorp secretary last year when she raised 116 complaints against seven managers, including sexual harassment and use of pornography in the workplace.

Ms Dhillon’s complaints and a 12-month investigation spurred RailCorp management to implement tougher procedures for dealing with harassment.

For privacy reasons, RailCorp declined today to reveal the identity of the managers involved, but said four had been dismissed, one suspended for three months without pay, and another reprimanded.

A seventh manager was cleared by the investigation.

Following the investigation, RailCorp chief executive Vince Graham announced the establishment of a new anti-bullying and harassment steering committee, of which he would be a part.

RailCorp also would introduce a new early invervention complaints management system, and education and training programs to raise awareness in the workplace, he said.

“The changes will improve grievance-handling processes in RailCorp and raise further awareness of these issues among managers,” Mr Graham said.

The disciplinary against the six managers, combined with the new grievance procedures, were a warning to all staff that “this kind of behaviour” would no longer be tolerated, Mr Graham said.

“I have previously indicated there is no place for bullying and harassment in any workplace,” he said.

“RailCorp … has a responsibility to do all it can to minimise this kind of behaviour and make sure there is appropriate support available when it does happen.”

A RailCorp spokeswoman said Ms Dhillon was on sick leave with full pay.

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