A staffer for Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government, over claims that she was “exiled” out of her job when she raised concerns of bullying.
Six weeks ago, Marles’ chief of staff Jo Tarnawsky went public with allegations that she was bullied by colleagues, which left her with suicidal thoughts.
Tarnawsky did not accuse Marles of bullying, but claims he did not properly address her concerns when she raised the issue with him.
The outgoing chief of staff also claimed that once she expressed her concern about the workplace behaviour, she was effectively blocked from being able to complete work, by being moved to a temporary project.
The ABC reported she is currently on “miscellaneous leave”.
Jo Tarnawsky files lawsuit against Federal Government
Today, the high-ranked staffer has dished out a lawsuit against the Federal Government for “adverse actions”, and claims that she was effectively frozen out of her job once she made the bullying complaint.
In a statement to the press, Tarnawsky’s said it had been 200 days since she spoke to Marles, and that her alleged bullying issue remains unresolved.
“It has now been more than 200 days since I raised my concerns privately with the deputy prime minister about bullying behaviour in his office. I was then exiled as a result,” said Tarnawsky.
“My workplace situation remains unresolved. Not a single member of the government has reached out to check on my well-being.
“After the window dressing of parliamentary workplace reforms has been put in place, the government is testing in real time what it can get away with.”
Tarnawsky directed her adverse action claim toward Marles, the Federal Government, and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Tim Gartrell. Gartrell is also not being accused of bullying the outgoing staffer.
Richard Marles has not commented on the lawsuit being taken against him by the staffer, but stated in October that he was “deeply sad” about the situation.
Lead Image: Getty
The post Deputy PM’s Chief Of Staff To Sue Government Over Claim She Was ‘Exiled’ After Bullying Complaint appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
