Complaint procedure at RTE criticised

Unions at RTE have been asked not to co-operate with the procedures used to investigate allegations of bullying and harassment at the semi-State broadcaster.

The National Union of Journalists has written to the trade union group at the station suggesting that it should not co-operate with committees investigating bullying and harassment until the procedure employed to deal with complaints is reviewed.

The letter follows a complaint from journalist Ms Emer Woodfull that she was bullied by her boss, the Director of Radio, Ms Helen Shaw.

RTE says it has "every confidence" in Ms Shaw.

"The allegation dealt with in the process was one of bullying and harassment and was found to be without foundation," an RTE statement said. Ms Woodfull has requested that the case be put before an independent arbitrator. However, an RTE statement yesterday said "the process is now closed".

"RTE deals with any such allegations made by any employee, whatever their position, promptly and openly in an objective and impartial manner," it said. Ms Woodfull is on leave at present and was unwilling to comment yesterday. However, a friend said the former Five Seven Live presenter was "absolutely devastated" by the manner in which RTE had handled the case. She has retained a lawyer to represent her.

Ms Woodfull was told of the decision last Tuesday and did not present her weekly programme, Soundbyte, on Saturday morning.

The NUJ has refused to comment on Ms Woodfull's case. A spokesman stressed that the letter to the trade union group resulted from dissatisfaction with the manner in which RTE had dealt with at least four complaints.

The union nominates one representative on the committee that investigates complaints. The other two are nominated by the personnel department and management.