A summary report of the investigation into the Office of the Clerk of the legislature concluded that the office is not a toxic workplace and that three of four key allegations by complainants against clerk Tim Mercer were SA国际影视传媒渘ot founded.SA国际影视传媒�
Quintet Consulting Corporation, hired by the NWT legislative assembly earlier this year, reviewed accusations against Mercer for allegedly overseeing a toxic workplace and investigated specific complaints brought forward by chief electoral officer Nicole Latour, Tu Nedhe Wiilideh MLA Steve Norn, research adviser April Taylor and an anonymous fourth individual.
The first part of the summary report presented to MLAs on Thursday morning shows that while the workplace is SA国际影视传媒渄ividedSA国际影视传媒� and has SA国际影视传媒渁 lack of unity,SA国际影视传媒� it is not SA国际影视传媒渋n an overall sense, a toxic or poisoned one.SA国际影视传媒�
However the report points to SA国际影视传媒渧iews and experiencesSA国际影视传媒� of people having worked closely with the office presenting SA国际影视传媒渋mportant problems,SA国际影视传媒� including unresolved conflicts and unmanaged labour relations issues; concerns related to communication across the organization; difficult interactions with MLAs; clerks being viewed as favoured, leading to feelings of inequity for other staff; and conflict of interest and preferential treatment related to staffing.
SA国际影视传媒淏ased on the disparate views and experiences of some staff, these individuals likely perceive it to be a poisoned or toxic workplace,SA国际影视传媒� the report states.
The latter portion of the 25-page document summarizes issues raised by the four complainants, noting Latour accusing Mercer of abusing his power by trying to exert control over the legislatureSA国际影视传媒檚 Board of Management and by doing so, the entire legislative assembly. She also accused him of trying to negatively impact her office and of trying to remove her from her position because of her Indigenous ancestry.
The report states, however, that none of LatourSA国际影视传媒檚 accusations stood up to scrutiny. It points out that Latour never made a case SA国际影视传媒渢hat Mr. MercerSA国际影视传媒檚 conduct related to her race or any other prohibited ground of discrimination.SA国际影视传媒�
Taylor, who as a legislative assembly research adviser alleged that Mercer SA国际影视传媒渄enied her various opportunities and requests and negatively influenced her managers,SA国际影视传媒� was not found credible in her complaints either, the report concluded.
Norn, who on Feb. 15 held a news conference where he complained about SA国际影视传媒渁n ethical rotSA国际影视传媒� under Mercer at the legislature, accused Mercer of lashing out when MLAs tried to counter his perceived exertion of control and influence on the assembly. This was also deemed SA国际影视传媒渘ot founded.SA国际影视传媒�
However, a fourth unnamed person who accused Mercer of a breach of confidentiality SA国际影视传媒渞elated to previous investigations,SA国际影视传媒� was considered to have a legitimate grievance.
SA国际影视传媒淎fter careful consideration of all the evidence gathered, much of which was undisputed, it was determined that the complaint of the fourth complainant was founded,SA国际影视传媒� the report reads. SA国际影视传媒淢r. MercerSA国际影视传媒檚 conduct was found to be inconsistent with the applicable code of conduct and with the letter and spirit of the confidentiality requirements of the harassment-free and respectful workplace policy.SA国际影视传媒�
Next steps and clerkSA国际影视传媒檚 office action plan
MLAs received a copy of the report Thursday morning via email from acting clerk Glen Rutland, who explained the next steps that have to be taken to respond to the reportSA国际影视传媒檚 findings.
He said that the Board of Management is requiring the Office of the Clerk to create an action plan that is to be shared with MLAs and the public.
Rutland also said the law clerk is expected to review the investigation portion of the review to seek where redactions should be made so that the full report can be released publicly.
SA国际影视传媒淭he investigation report includes personal information of participants and third parties who were not participants,SA国际影视传媒� he noted.
Katrina Nokleby, MLA for Great Slave, said in an email that she had positive interactions with Mercer and his ability to bring members together.
SA国际影视传媒淚n my experience, I found the clerk to always be very helpful and supportive,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was apparent he has a goal of uniting MLAs and working towards the greater good of the assembly. This was particularly noticeable when I was a minister and the clerk worked towards facilitating the relationships between me and the regular MLAs.SA国际影视传媒�
Mercer statement
Mercer issued a statement on Thursday afternoon stating that he was pleased with the findings.
SA国际影视传媒淭he six-and-a-half months since the above-noted allegations were made have been difficult, not only for me but for my family, close network of friends and the staff of the legislative assembly,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 am pleased with the findings of the investigation and accept them fullySA国际影视传媒� I look forward to putting this matter behind me and moving on with my career in a productive way.SA国际影视传媒�
