WORKSAFE ACT has found that the Canberra Institute of Technology has breached its responsibilities in handling bullying and harassment complaints and will now have six months to improve its systems and procedures.

The allegations, dating back to 2009, were regarded by Worksafe  as “serious” on several counts; in some instances involving senior managers and staff with the accusers presenting medical evidence to “support their contention that they had suffered medical conditions as a result of the alleged behaviour”.

“The WorkSafe ACT investigation found that the CIT had breached its responsibilities under the Territory’s health and safety legislation,” ACT work safety commissioner Mark McCabe said.

“WorkSafe ACT’s inspector determined that the CIT does not have an adequate system for preventing or responding to allegations of bullying and harassment in the workplace.”

An Improvement Notice has been issued requiring the CIT to make a number of improvements to its systems and procedures regarding prevention and management of bullying and harassment of staff. They are required to comply within six months.

“We accept that our policies and procedures at the time these allegations arose have been found to be inadequate. And we unreservedly apologise for that,” CIT chief executive Adrian Marron said.

“These conclusions are a serious concern to me personally and as CIT Chief Executive. What we do together in addressing the report’s findings is critical and we will not allow anything to detract from this purpose.

“It is important that we uphold our values of quality, respect and integrity and a number of the report’s concerns are currently being addressed through CIT’s continuous improvement reviews.”

CIT has already established an Improvement Action Group in response to the investigation. The group includes executive level management and will produce a comprehensive plan to meet the Improvement Notice.