As people involved in the scandal Civil Aviation Authority, which is a timely lesson for us independent whistleblower system culture is essential for healthy, open organization.
According to news reports, in the past three years alone, 20 formal complaints have been filed against CAA, including allegations of internal security issues within the organization, bullying and sexual harassment. These complaints included criticisms of management personnel's behavior, especially concerns about helicopters and health and safety management personnel.
To make matters worse, CAA employees (speaking anonymously) said that they are cautious about reporting problems because it is a "culture of confidentiality and cover-up" and employees "do not trust the process."
A source said: "There is a lot of toxic atmosphere." There are "a lot of internal conflicts" and "a lot of bullying."
Recently, the Civil Aviation Administration was accused of causing five deaths in the fatal helicopter crash in 2015, misleading public statements.
Obviously, the situation for CAA has not been smooth sailing, but the criticism is deaf to the organization, at least as far as director Graeme Harris is concerned. He responded to the allegations in a defensive manner, questioning the whistleblower's motives, and claiming that CAA actually has a "very good" work culture and "very strong process" to handle complaints.
"I worry that someone will be extroverted and won't attract attention internally."
An Australian study recently reported on within the public sector called within the public service sector report: trust matters , found that almost all informants behavior actually initiated by reporting misconduct in the organization rather than external.
"External reports are considered to occur late in the process, usually when the organization fails to process the initial report."
"Ethical leaders encourage ethical behavior, including willingness to report internally," the report said.
"As a representative recognized by the organization, senior managers symbolize the organization and its values... By occupying the highest positions, the behavior of senior managers sets the tone for the integrity of the organization."
The report said that when it comes to controlling ethical violations, it is ultimately the responsibility of senior managers.
"Because it is the management's responsibility to prevent and correct ethical violations, the presence of such violations in the workplace may indicate that senior management has failed to uphold this responsibility, and it is recommended that the organization tolerate this."
CAA is required to solve several serious crashes in memory recently. The Fox Glacier helicopter crash in 2015 resulted in the deaths of five people. Before the crash was discovered, CAA had discovered that there were “significant and repetitive non-compliance issues” in the operator’s training system and management supervision. These issues are worthy of intervention, but Failed to intervene.
"The Civil Aviation Administration discovered serious violations of the operator training system and management supervision before the accident. However, CAA did not intervene and allowed the operator to continue to provide helicopter air operations." TAIC Chief Commissioner Jane Meares said.
"The Committee is concerned that there may be a wider range of safety issues, so that other civil aviation operators in the same period may encounter undiscovered or unresolved major non-compliance situations."
In addition, the 2003 aviation adventure crash caused 2012 deaths, and the 11-year Carterton hot air balloon crash killed 11 people-both centered on pilots, the Civil Aviation Administration has received complaints, and the Civil Aviation Administration has not stopped. fly.
Now, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Administration, Nigel Gould, has resigned-the Minister of Transport Phil Twyford has stepped in and promised that a senior official from the Ministry of Transport will work with the whistleblower Sit down, "Listen to them."
He said he will also "guarantee" the trust and anonymity of any CAA whistleblower.