A confidential caucus agenda that was expected to be presented to MLAs Monday morning reveals more detail into how conclusions were reached in last monthSA国际影视传媒檚 investigation of workplace conditions at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
The document also reveals that the price tag for the entire exercise was $380,000 with the largest portion SA国际影视传媒� $142,125 SA国际影视传媒� going to investigative contractors Quintet Corporation. Other expenses included $106,031 for sole adjudication and $71,000 for additional staffing costs. The remaining money went to reimbursement for legal fees of complainants Steve Norn, Nicole Latour and for Clerk Tim Mercer at $29,770, costs for law clerk services at $15,221, mediation at $14,265, and additional costs for the integrity commissioner at $11,760.
SA国际影视传媒 obtained a copy of the agenda, which spells out how hired Quintet came to the conclusion that the Office of the Clerk was not a toxic or poisoned one but one where interviewed staff had disparate views and experiences. The document also provides more detail into the investigative portion of the work, which looked into specific allegations from chief electoral officer Nicole Latour, former research adviser April Taylor, Tu-Nedhe Willideh MLA Steve Norn and a fourth unnamed person.
The contractors interviewed a total of 33 participants as part of the workplace review, which included 30 current and former employees plus three other SA国际影视传媒渒nowledgeable individuals.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淨uintet did not investigate the veracity of the concerns raised by the participants,SA国际影视传媒� notes the document. SA国际影视传媒淔or example, Quintet did not test the quality of the evidence gathered or assess participantsSA国际影视传媒� credibility.SA国际影视传媒�
Among the more alarming findings related to relations between the Office of the Clerk and interactions with the high rate of new MLAs in the 19th assembly. Interviewees reported MLAs not fully understanding their roles, which has led to tensions.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome participants described MLAs displaying behaviours that negatively affected their work; they noted that this situation has worsened since the beginning of the 19th Legislative Assembly, given that there were an unusually high number of new MLAs that were elected,SA国际影视传媒� reads one finding. SA国际影视传媒淭hese participants reported unacceptable or disrespectful behaviours on the part of certain MLAs, ranging from what they described as harassing behaviour in social settings to displays of anger when denied a request and unreasonable expectations about the staffSA国际影视传媒檚 work.SA国际影视传媒�
The Office of the Clerk was also criticized in other areas, such as conflict of interest and staffing, as the clerk has the power to make direct appointments under Section 37 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome employees expressed frustration at seeing their SA国际影视传媒榙ream jobsSA国际影视传媒� filled with a direct appointment without being given the opportunity to be considered; this has resulted in resentment towards some of the appointees who have been referred to in some instances as SA国际影视传媒楾imSA国际影视传媒檚 Angels,SA国际影视传媒� with a few that they SA国际影视传媒榗an do no wrong.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�
Still other complaints included internal communications and adversarial relationships between clerks and other parts of the organization.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was described that an especially strained relationship exists between clerks and research advisers; this perception was held by most participants across different divisions within the organization,SA国际影视传媒� the document states.
In other areas, however, the Office of the Clerk garners positive feedback from interviewees pertaining to pride among employees working for the office and in the legislative assembly, a sense of belonging and support in areas of career development. The clerk was also lauded for leadership aspects and inclusiveness for Indigenous peoples.
