Adoption chief cleared of bullying

A former employee of Baaf Adoption and Fostering, who claimed
that she was bullied and harassed by the organisation’s chief
executive Felicity Collier, has had her case for constructive
dismissal rejected, writes Derren
Hayes.

Following five days of hearings, Croydon employment tribunal
ruled that there were no grounds for the constructive dismissal
claim made by Baaf’s former development officer Sylvia
Barker.

Tribunal chairman Brian Murphy also ordered Barker to pay
£2,000 towards Baaf’s legal fees, after what he called a
“misconceived” case.

The verdict is a particular vindication for Collier, who had
been criticised by Barker and other former Baaf employees during
the tribunal as having a bullying management style and creating a
“Kafka-esque” organisational culture.

In the final two days of hearings, Collier described the
accusations as “hurtful”, and said Barker’s criticisms had
been driven by her opposition to organisational changes.

Collier paid tribute to Barker’s 15-years of service for
Baaf, but said she was “totally averse to any criticism, and had a
tendency to interpret advice as a personal attack”.

The tribunal is due to issue details of its finding by
mid-January.