General News
10 August, 2023
Workplace behaviour review concludes at Highview College
An independent review into workplace behaviour has concluded at Highview College, with several recommendations relating to conflict management, accountability and consultation. Highview’s board initiated the internal review into workplace...
An independent review into workplace behaviour has concluded at Highview College, with several recommendations relating to conflict management, accountability and consultation.
Highview’s board initiated the internal review into workplace behaviour in June this year to determine whether the school’s policies and procedures were being followed.
Melinda Scash, the school’s former principal, took a leave of absence while the review was underway, later resigning from her role before the findings were released.
The full review has not been publicly released, however a statement released by Highview College board chair Miriam Codognotto said there were no findings relating to any individual.
“It’s worth emphasising that the review was confined to workplace improvement. It was not the purpose or intent of the review to include the behaviour or performance of individuals,” she said.
“The board has received (FCW Lawyers) findings. In short, there were no findings against any person as this was not the purpose of the investigation.
“Several workplace issues were raised by staff and were considered within the confidential legal structure of the review for future redress.”
Undertaken by FCW Lawyers’ head of workplace relations Kim McLagan, the review recommends the school resource, recruit and empower a human relations function within the school and develop higher clarity in role function and accountability in employee’s roles.
It also recommends the school consult with employees, parents and other stakeholders to deliver the school’s mission in a safe, clear and caring manner, and creates better resources to manage conflict in a transparent, fair and generous way, according to the statement provided by the school’s board.
Ms Codognotto said many of the recommendations made in the review would require a “significant” cost in terms of time, money and resources, stating the school was committed to providing a “great workplace culture”.
“The board welcomes these and the other improvement recommendations put forward by Kim,” she said.
“Many of them will involve significant investment of time, money, and other resources.
“However, from the board’s point of view, a great workplace culture is non-negotiable as our students and staff must always come first.”