City of Nedlands under investigation for ‘inappropriate workplace behaviour' claims
WAtoday and 9News Perth can reveal more than 70 staff have quit in the last 18 months, prompting the workplace watchdog to scrutinise the besieged council for claims of inappropriate workplace behaviour.
One recently departed staff member, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, said some of the claims related to bullying and harassment in the office.
A WorkSafe spokesperson could only confirm the investigation was open, saying it was launched after the 'inspector [was] completing compliance checks relating to safe systems of work'.
Its inquiries have been under way since at least January, and 9News Perth reported on Wednesday the investigation would be completed within weeks.
The City of Nedlands was contacted for comment but did not respond.
It comes as sacked Mayor Fiona Argyle defiantly took to social media, a day after a baffling tirade where she claimed everyone loved dying children.
'All the cool girls get fired', Argyle posted to Instagram from her overseas location, in a reference to a self-help book.
The mayor was one of five councillors sacked by the state government, after another four resigned on the same day.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
35 minutes ago
- Perth Now
GPS monitoring for Mandurah teen who sent 100s of messages
A Mandurah teen will wear an ankle monitoring bracelet for a year after his need 'for closure' following a break-up turned into stalking. Singh Agamveer, 18, pleaded guilty at Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday to pursuing another with the intent to intimidate. This offence has a maximum penalty of two years in prison or $24,000 fine. Police Prosecutor First Class Cons. Kat Anderson told the court that Agamveer's ex-girlfriend ended their four-month-long relationship in May this year. She told Agamveer she did not want to speak to him. Despite this, Agamveer sent her 173 messages via Snapchat over a 24-hour period. When she blocked him, Agamveer began sending her messages via Instagram. After being blocked on Instagram, he began messaging the girl's mother. Agamveer also showed up at Top Floor Nightclub looking for the girl and asking mutual friends for her whereabouts. 'The messages were not threatening, but they were persistent, and not heeding her asking him to stop,' Cons. Anderson said. In all, Agamveer sent 460 messages and was served with a VRO on June 20. Agamveer's lawyer explained that this was her client's first relationship and said he was contacting the victim looking for 'closure'. His lawyer applied for a spent conviction as Agamveer hoped to complete an electrical engineering degree in the future. Magistrate Leanne Atkins took a long time considering a spent conviction. 'I do not find this a trivial offence,' Ms Atkins said. 'But you are of prior good character, and I do note your age… it is a difficult decision to make. 'But an 18-year-old should be able to get on with her life without 460 messages, so I am not prepared to exercise a spent conviction. 'It was a rude awakening for you to realise your behaviour was a criminal offence.' Ms Atkins said it was an extraordinary number of messages. 'She told you to stay away and you didn't, you were told by her what she wanted, but you wouldn't take no for an answer,' Ms Atkins added. 'She blocked you on one, so you went to another, she told you to leave her alone, she told you she didn't want you, and you didn't listen to her.' Agamveer was placed on a community-based order for one year, with program and supervision requirements, and will be subject to electronic monitoring during that time.
Sky News AU
17 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Aussie tourist tossed into filthy Thai jail cell over simple passport mistake as he issues grave warning to fellow travellers
An experienced Australian traveller has revealed he was tossed into a Thai jail for visiting the country one too many times. Benjamin, a seasoned Australian traveller, posted a video to Instagram where he shared his harrowing tale. Despite having no criminal history, Thai officials accused Benjamin of racking up too many passport stamps while entering the country - before throwing him into a grime ridden jail without any opportunity for an appeal. Thai officials suspected he was performing illegal "visa runs" - which would have extended his holiday visa, thereby allowing Benjamin to remain in the country for an additional 30 days. Visa runs - or "border runs" - involve travellers briefly leaving and re-entering the country to reset or extend their allowed stay period. The practice is now being cracked down on by Thai authorities. Benjamin said he had been touring south-east Asia for months and had entered the country numerous times, which gave Thai authorities the impression that he was attempting to evade new visa regulations. In his Instagram clip Benjamin said, 'I was denied entry and accused of doing visa runs, but I've never actually done one.' Benjamin told other would be visitors that Thailand had implemented changes to its travel rules and that tourists now needed ironclad proof of an onward journey out of Thailand. The Thailand immigration website states that evidence of an onward journey out of Thailand is necessary to be allowed entry into the country, and that even a bus ticket to a neighbouring nation is acceptable. However, Benjamin stressed he was not seeking to criticise Thailand or the Thai people but rather to alert tourists to be aware of the unseen risks. 'Before I go on, please understand I love Thailand and Thai people. This is not slander,' Benjamin said. 'I am just documenting my experience because that's what I do, and so others know the rules have changed since May.' Benjamin said the decision to lock him up was instantaneous and unalterable. 'They looked at my passport and saw too many stamps. I have been coming in and out a lot, and I don't deny that' Bejamin said. 'They made a decision. No appeals, just detention.' Benjamin said he was issued a 1,070 baht fine (AUD$50) and was taken to a crowded detention facility to 'shower with roaches.' 'They locked me in a detention centre packed with people and dormitory prison beds.' The man also had his passport taken from him and said it was now mandatory for those who had breached Thai immigration laws to be deported to the country they flew in from. He said the ordeal was extremely distressing and that it was becoming exceedingly common due to tourists being unaware of Thailand's strict travel regulations.
Perth Now
18 hours ago
- Perth Now
Aubrey O'Day claims Diddy influenced her surgery decisions
Aubrey O'Day has suggested Sean 'Diddy' Combs influenced her decision to get plastic surgery. The 41-year-old singer stars in Danity Kane, the band created by Diddy, and Aubrey has revealed how the hip-hop star influenced her decision to go under the knife. During an appearance on Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, Aubrey explained: "It started with being in a girl group. The demands I noticed of my looks. Diddy was ... this is a hard topic for me. I was the sexy one, and that needed to be who I was at all times." Aubrey admitted to having one big regret about her surgeries, describing her lips as being "very ducky". She said: "I immediately think of these f****** lips on the top of my face. "They're, like, very uneven, they stick out, they're very ducky. You know, not all surgeons are built the same and some don't have the balls to tell you we need to stop here." Diddy was recently found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution at a trial in New York. However, the music mogul was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Aubrey took to social media following the trial to express her concerns. She wrote on Instagram at the time: "I'm still unpacking the magnitude of it all. The cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable. It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs—only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury." Meanwhile, Aubrey denied having plastic surgery in a 2019 interview. The singer claimed at the time that she simply knew lots of beauty "tricks". Aubrey told Us Weekly: "I've had lip fillers and Botox. I put a lot of filters. I know all the tricks and I use them." The music star also insisted she's not bothered by criticism of her appearance. Asked if she's concerned by her critics, Aubrey replied: "Not at all. When I was 17 maybe. I think the worst comment I ever read, and then I didn't read any more, was, 'She looks like an old leather handbag that's been put in the dryer 15 times.' That was one of my faves."
