A senior academic at Fife’s troubled Adam Smith College has said there are ”real problems” at the institution.
Hugh Loughlan, who is the college’s curriculum head of theatre and arts, has spoken out amid allegations of bullying and harassment by a minority of senior staff.
It follows the resignation of Adam Smith chairman Graham Johnston, who stepped down from his position on the board of governors last week.
A website has been set up as a platform for campaigners seeking a major shake-up at the college. Among its aims is to see trade unions organise a vote of no confidence in the principal, Dr Craig Thomson.
An online petition in support of ”staff at Adam Smith College in their fight against a culture of bullying and harassment” and calling on the Scottish Government to suspend the principal and vice-principal had gathered almost 290 signatures by this morning.
Mr Loughlan said those behind the site were ”not enemies” of the college.
He said: ”The college’s remit is to offer appropriate education and job opportunities for all in Fife and beyond, and I firmly believe that members of staff who are now voicing their concerns are advocates of this college.
”It would certainly be helpful if the board and college senior management stopped trying to characterise this dispute as the result of a few disenchanted politically motivated individuals.
”Surely it is time to adopt a mature attitude, accept that there are real problems in the organisation and discontinue the tired PR mantra that all is well?
”We believe Adam Smith College is a good college, with 900 staff committed to providing excellent education as our success in HMIe reviews demonstrates.
”Day in day out, the college functions to a high standard despite a lack of proper leadership at the very top. But staff at the college have also complained of a culture that rewards bullying and victimisation.”
Those behind the campaign have alleged a report released under the Public Interest Disclosure Act uncovered ”a culture of bullying and harassment by a small group of senior members of college staff” and following an investigation the matter was effectively swept under the carpet to avoid two individuals being subject to disciplinary action.
At least three members of the college board are understood to have resigned as a result.
The Courier understands a recent Investors in People report indicated a dissatisfaction with management. Around half the workforce are understood to have responded to the survey last year. According to a source, when asked if managers inspire or motivate, 11 respondents said ”all” managers did, with 47 stating ”most” did and 173 ”some”. Of those who replied, 110 people answered ”none”.
The survey also suggested that managers placed insufficient importance on employees’ work-life balance, said the source.
Local MSP David Torrance demanded that the survey be made public.
He said: ”I think the college should come clean because this was a consultation carried out with their staff and the result was a poor report in relation to management and how management treated their staff. That should be made public by the college but it has been hidden away.”
On Monday, the college’s PR firm Halogen maintained its position that there would be no response to comments made on the website.
When Mr Johnston stood down last week he said: ”I am clear in my view that Adam Smith College now needs to appoint a chair whose term of office will allow them to lead the college through the period of change that will follow.”