Rescue helicopter service cleared on safety despite substantiated harassment
Independent review found Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service safe, but 61% of staff with grievances were unhappy with complaints handling.
An independent review found the service had grown fast. Rapid growth created tension in people management and complaints handling.
The review found confirmed cases of sexual harassment that received poor responses. Of staff who raised formal grievances, 61 per cent were unhappy with the process.
And 59 per cent were unhappy with the outcome. The report found a gap between the service's zero tolerance policy and actual practice.
Some conduct described could lead to a hostile work environment for women, including sexist jokes and unequal treatment. The review concluded there were pockets of hostile conduct but not widespread toxicity across the organization.
Patient and operational safety were confirmed as safe. The board accepted 31 recommendations and apologized to employees who experienced bullying or harassment.
- 61%
- Staff dissatisfied with process
- 59%
- Staff dissatisfied with outcome
- 31
- Recommendations accepted
- October 27
- Report released
Why it mattersPoor complaints handling undermined staff trust in the system. This potentially put pressure on rescue teams and compromised the service's social licence with employees and the community.
AustraliaNSW Ambulance contract with the service ends May next year, so these findings may influence whether the five-year extension is renewed.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
