Adoption chief cleared of bullying

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

Following five days of hearings, Croydon Employment Tribunal
ruled that there were no grounds for the 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.

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

Collier said Barker’s criticisms had been driven by her
opposition to organisational change.