An external investigation has found evidence of a “toxic work environment” within the Vancouver School Board (VSB).
In September, Global News broke the story about allegations that some VSB trustees were bullying senior management, prompting two separate investigations.
READ MORE: Vancouver School Board trustees slammed with serious bullying and harassment allegations
Global News learned of the allegations through a memo sent to Education Minister Mike Bernier from the BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA). The letter stated the work environment at VSB has created “a toxicity, which fosters fear and a lack of a sense of safety.”
The allegations came several days after two VSB administrators — the acting superintendent and the acting treasurer — took leaves of absence at the same time. Four more administrators took leaves of absence in the days that followed.
The investigation report submitted by Roslyn Goldner of Goldner Law Corporation and released on Friday suggests the concerns about a toxic work environment set out in the BCSSA letter are, in fact, valid and the conduct of the board breached the requirement to provide employees with an emotionally safe and respectful work environment.
The report lists a number of factors that contributed to the development of a toxic work environment at the VSB, including the partisan composition of the board, the governance model adopted by VSB and the lack of consistent role definition among trustees.
Of particular significance, Goldner says, were the actions taken by certain trustees in relation to the school closure process and the staff recommendations related to that process.
In October, VSB voted to suspend the public process to close up to 11 schools.
By September, Goldner says it was “untenable for members of the senior management team to remain in the workplace.”
“The evidence gathered throughout this investigation supports the claims that members of this board routinely engaged in conduct toward one another that was uncivil, disrespectful and rude,” said Goldner. “Such conduct not only affected the ability of the board to function, but also affected individuals — who although not directly the target of the conduct — experienced the stress of a work environment marked by ambient bullying.”
Goldner says in addition to the ambient bullying, there was credible evidence that members of the senior management team were subject to direct bullying and personal harassment.
“There was evidence that staff competence and professional skills were undermined by this conduct,” she said. “This had an adverse impact on their ability to effectively work with the board and created a culture of fear in which staff felt vulnerable with regard to their job security.”
Goldner says she accepts the evidence that certain trustees’ public attack of the work of the senior staff related to the school closure process undermined and publicly embarrassed and humiliated the superintendent and the senior management team.
The report says many VSB employees agreed to participate in the investigation and each of the former trustees agreed to be interviewed. But it also says certain trustees did not agree the stress in the workplace was attributable to the conduct of the board.
The investigation was commenced by VSB in accordance with its obligations under the Workers Compensation Act. The investigation was not connected to the WorkSafe investigation initiated by the Minister of Education.
In response, Education Minister Mike Bernier said WorkSafeBC’s independent review of this matter is now also complete.
In October, Bernier fired the board for failing to pass a balanced budget and appointed an official trustee for the district.
“We have great confidence in the work of VSB staff and the official trustee,” said Bernier on Friday. “With the investigation done, it gives everyone a chance to focus on the exciting opportunities ahead for the upcoming school year.”
Meanwhile, Vision Vancouver’s elected trustees Dr. Joy Alexander, Patti Bacchus, Mike Lombardi and Allan Wong came out with a statement saying they are proud of their track record, adding they treated all VSB staff with respect and courtesy and did not participate in or witness workplace bullying or harassment.
-With files from Jill Slattery
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