City in legal threat

Andrew Mathieson
City of Greater Geelong has threatened a former employee with legal action for airing claims of workplace bullying on a community radio station.
Pam Clarke made the claims as a special guest of co-host Pam Edwards and June Lyneham on their Pulse FM talk show, Common Bonds, in August.
The women discussed examples of bullying in Geelong workplaces, including City Hall.
“I named names at the City,” Ms Clarke admitted.
Ms Clarke said the City claimed she signed an agreement in July, 2006, not to discuss allegations of bullying after her sacking.
The City’s lawyers alleged she breached her obligations during the radio talk show.
Ms Clarke denied signing the agreement.
She said the City asked her to sign an undertaking before September 2 to ensure it would take no further action against her over the talk show but she had refused.
Ms Clarke said she was sacked while on sick leave after making several complaints about work conditions at City Hall.
“It was real nasty stuff what I was put through,” she said.
Ms Clarke said she had been on around-the-clock medication since.
Her solicitor was now dealing with the City threat.
“I might have to take it to court,” she said.
Ms Clarke, who was introduced on the talk show as Radio Pam to protect her anonymity, said she was outraged her identity had been revealed.
A letter from the City’s lawyers appeared under her door just days after the talk show, she said.
Ms Edwards, a retired Telstra union delegate, feared any legal action from the City would harm her talk show and The Pulse.
“As we are not employed by the radio, because we do this voluntarily, I would hate to think this would cause the loss of our show,” she said.
Ms Edwards admitted she was unsure what could be said on air but repeated bullying allegations against Telstra.
A spokesman said City Hall did not want to comment “on matters concerning individual staff members, including former staff”.