Ranger Danger !

It seems that working in the Sydney City Council division that polices parking in the city has become a health hazard - and the Council has known about this and done nothing since at least 2012.  Now the death of a senior Ranger is being investigated by both police and the coroner because it seems likely that the cause was suicide - and he had recently mailed an anguished letter to the Lord Mayor and his senior supervisor detailing the turmoil faced by those working in the divisions toxic atmosphere.

There have been other warning signals.  In 2014 a letter of resignation from another Council Ranger  complained of bullying, harassment and intimidation and described management as "spiteful, dishonest and inept ".   Council response has been to sweep the matter under the mat - and do nothing !

This dead Ranger had been in talks with his union and was on long service leave at the time of his death.  The Council insists that his death was not suspicious and was by "natural causes ", but this is not the view shared by either police or the coroner and there is an active investigation under way.  The Council conducted a tribute by way of a minutes silence at a recent meeting.

Working for statutory bodies such as councils usually offers a career path subject to clear guidelines. The ethos of the public service  prevails and promotions usually occur from within the organization - and are subject to review and challenge.  The usual practice is for a promotional opportunity to be made known and selection invited from those who consider they have the qualifications required.  A management panel examines each applicant and when a selection is made a loser may apply for a review on the grounds that his or her qualifications were not fully taken into consideration.   Confirming such promotions can be a lengthy process.

Such bodies are also known for "empire building ".  People tend to hold their positions for a very long period of time and because the ultimate management is a body subjected to regular elections by the public it's ever changing nature cements their hold on power.  In such situations, it is not uncommon for management style to become dictatorial and uncompromising.

In many cases, the root cause of disharmony can be attributed to politics.  Local government is very much influenced by political swings and after an election a council may change in polarity - and this may not suit those holding the levers of power within the council structure, or be in tandem with the views of the workforce.

Many councils are rife with discord between the direction decided by the elected body and the senior managers of council departments, which again is a third opinion held by the actual men and women who implement services at the community level.   When all three are pulling in opposite directions the workplace can become untenable.

There seems no doubt that the signals of  "Ranger Danger "" were clear and unmistakeable.  Facing the public and handing out unpopular fines is a stressful occupation, not entirely without physical danger.  There have been instances of punch-ups, and verbal slanging is an ongoing experience.  It is not helpful if Ranger management is uncaring and contrary in it's decision making process.

An overhaul of this division and it's practices is now essential  !