Uni HR boss had 'target' on her back after opposing $400k direct hire

The University of Wollongong's chief people and culture officer, Alison Bourke, testified at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that she felt she had "a target on her back" after opposing a proposed direct appointment for a new vice-president role. The position was valued at nearly $400,000 annually and was intended for executive Alyssa White.

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a target on her back

Bourke told the ICAC inquiry that she became concerned as White, then chief governance officer, appeared to be involved in the creation and promotion of the role she was expected to fill. Bourke argued that the position should have been advertised and subjected to a competitive recruitment process. Her concerns escalated rapidly in late January, with competing plans for the role emerging within two weeks.

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to just do whatever a manager tells them to do

Further fueling her unease, Bourke's notes from February 6 recorded her feeling of having "a target on my back" for questioning the proposal. These concerns were amplified when Chancellor Michael Still reportedly told her that the human resources department's role was simply "to just do whatever a manager tells them to do." Bourke also sought independent advice regarding claims that the position had been evaluated, only to find that no such assessment had occurred, leading her to believe the claims were "false."

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false

Despite initial indications that the proposal might be delayed, with interim vice-chancellor John Dewar backing her concerns and alternative options being developed, discussions about the role resumed abruptly days later. Dewar had previously described the proposal as a "very, very bad idea" and a "terrible mistake," and expressed concerns that information reaching incoming chancellor Max Lu was being "tightly controlled."

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very, very bad idea