By Karen O’Sullivan
Prominent Macedon Ranges leader Donna Fabris has broken her silence, revealing she was a victim of harassment, bullying and sexism when working for Ambulance Victoria.
Responding to recent media attention concerning a misogynistic culture within AV, Ms Fabris revealed she too had been the victim of a campaign of abuse that included having her phone number sprawled on the walls of public toilets along the Calder Freeway.
Ms Fabris was employed by AV for 17 years as a highly experienced clinician on the road, air wing, and as a senior manager.
“I loved my job, but in 2012 I had no option but to leave after many years of targeted harassment and bullying,” she said.
Ms Fabris said the toxic culture was evident from the beginning when she was recruited into AV in the 1990s. The recruiting doctor asked her to remove her bra, then during the physical examination he commented on her trim and taut figure, telling her she would find her husband in the job.
By 2009, as a senior manager, Ms Fabris said she was the victim of a targeted campaign by members of her own staff. She claimed the campaign included vexatious complaints and underhanded tactics that made it hard to investigate.
Ms Fabris has joined a chorus of employees to speak out about their experiences over the past week.
“It is extremely disappointing to hear that nothing has changed since I left,” she said.
“It is unconscionable that with all the reviews and restructures that have taken place, the toxic culture remains the same.”
Ms Fabris, a Lancefield resident, is the current president of the Kyneton branch of Zonta International, an organisation that empowers women and girls through service and advocacy.
She said as she began moving up the AV organisation she was accused of sleeping her way to the top.
“All because I was a highly motivated and ambitious women,” an angry and frustrated Ms Fabris said.
She said her troubles began when she was a developing manager. She believed upper management felt it was easier just to shuffle the decks than deal with problems.
Upper management appeared not to have the appetite for the work needed for real cultural change, Ms Fabris said.
“I recall spending many hours representing AV at Fair Work because paramedics challenged each first, second or third warning received for their appalling behaviour. Even though I witnessed much illegal and immoral behaviour,” she said.
Ms Fabris said some of the troublesome staff remained working at AV and were continuing their bad behaviour.
She hopes telling her story will in some way help bring about change.
“To the brave women and men that have come forward. You are not alone. To all paramedics, be respectful to your colleagues. It is much easier to be nice than have this ongoing fight. I wish you luck,” she said.
Ms Fabris will make a personal submission to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission that is to conduct a review of Ambulance Victoria at the request of AV CEO Tony Walker.
Mr Walker said bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination of any kind had no place at Ambulance Victoria.
“We will shine a light into the rotten corners in our culture, expose the behavioural undercurrents that have led to this point, understand the deficiencies in our systems that have enabled sexist and discriminatory behaviour and allowed abhorrent experiences to remain hidden,” he said.
“This is about changing our culture to ensure it never happens again.”
People who have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment can contact the commission’s Inquiry Line on 1300 292 153 for more information about their rights and how they can make a complaint.
– Karen O’Sullivan is a freelance journalist and former Channel 7 News Reporter
