Council
9 December, 2025
Concerns grow over council’s workplace culture
Another former Wingecarribee Shire Council employee has added weight to concerns that senior management is doing nothing to address a serious problem in workplace culture.
Another former Wingecarribee Shire Council employee has added weight to concerns that senior management is doing nothing to address a serious problem in workplace culture.
As already reported by The Southern Wire, two former council employees have already raised allegations of bullying and harassment.
They say their concerns were raised with council’s general manger Lisa Miscamble or with Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick but nothing was done.
One of those employees said he resigned from council because he could no longer work in an environment where harassment was considered acceptable.
The other said he signed a Deed of Release “under pressure” to avoid formal termination.
Council has failed to acknowledge or respond to questions from The Southern Wire in relation to those allegations.
A third employee has now come forward saying that he left WSC because council’s workplace culture was far from satisfactory.
Hemanth Raju has told The Southern Wire that he resigned from council because he felt the workplace environment had become “unhealthy”.
He said this type of culture – in his view – would have a negative impact on council’s overall image.
Readers have labelled the allegations as “savage”, “appalling” and “unacceptable”.
One raised concerns that people who excel in their roles at council are targeted and thanked people for having the courage to speak out.
Former WSC floodplain engineer Sha Prodhan told The Southern Wire that he was harassed by a member of council’s senior management team and alleged the harassment continued after he made a complaint to council’s general manager.
Another former employee said he had experienced a pattern of targeted and unjust treatment from senior staff.
Emraul Kayes raised his concerns in letters to council’s general manager Lisa Miscamble and mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick but didn’t receive a response from either.
He said the departure of other council staff under similar circumstances to his own had significantly impacted on the organisation’s capability.
Editor's Note:
Wingecarribee Shire Council does not answer media questions from The Southern Wire. The GM or Mayor or GM have a standing invitation to respond to the allegations.
To share your experience if you are a current or former employee please contact confidential@thesouthernwire.com.au
The Southern Wire's publisher is a member of the MEAA, The National Press Club of Australia, LINA and we adhere to the standards of the Australian Press Council.
Read More: Southern Highlands