Thread by @MaryAnnOchota

An extraordinary statement from @JohnMuirTrust on their investigation into allegations of serious wrongdoing by their CEO @DavidBalharry. He is 'fully exonerated' & the focus now is to 'seriously address what we can do, to better protect staff from false allegations in future.’🧵

Here's the thing: when a small charity is riven by multiple senior staff members making seperate allegations, it indicates something is SERIOUSLY WRONG. Whatever your findings, humility from Trustees and Leadership is Step 1.

Robust processes need to be in place to protect staff coming forward with legitimate concerns as well as protecting staff from malicious allegations. The balance of protections needs to be in favour of less senior staff, always. Otherwise bad things and bad behaviour thrives.

It's the Trust's AGM on Saturday, which is good because members can ask all the questions. We deserve to know what's really going on.

.@thetimes @NorthernTimes & @MailOnline have all covered this evolving saga. I hope they continue to do so.

I've submitted some questions to the charity in advance. I've copied them below. If you're a member, I'd urge you to email @JohnMuirTrust with your questions, too.

At least 30 members of staff have left the JMT in the last 18 months, others are on long term sick leave. Please provide additional figures –
1. how many staff roles are currently unfilled?
2. Describe any common reasons about why staff are leaving in such high numbers.

3. Is the Trust a good place to work?
4. What work has been delayed, cancelled or is behind schedule due to staffing levels and retention of expertise? How do you plan to tackle this?
5. In 2022 the Trust advertised for a Head of Human Resources. The advert stated

“Are you an HR professional who believes that people are at the heart of every successful organisation? Do you have the skills to support a growing organisation to develop its people and processes through a period of change?

…This new role will…become an integral advisor to the leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to implement an HR function and create an HR strategy to support delivery of the Trust’s vision across the UK.”
Did you recruit someone for this role?

If not, why are you not actively recruiting for it now? Do you think a lack of internal HR function and strategy have contributed to the recent serious issues involving the CEO?

In today’s statement (31 Oct 2023) you say that the CEO, David Balharry, has been ‘fully exonerated’ and that ‘Following this investigation we will now seriously address what we can do, to better protect staff from false allegations in future.’

Is there an appeal process for staff members who made the allegations of wrongdoing?
What support will they receive?
Are there other lessons the board and management hope to learn from these events? (see my point about humility)

Words like ‘exoneration’ and ‘false allegations’ do not indicate a focus on rebuilding trust and collaboration with staff and partners.
Please explain how you intend to ensure that staff members and partners feel safe coming forward with legitimate concerns in the future.

I know that @ScotCharityReg have received a number of reports of concern from current and former staff and trustees. I hope @acasorguk will be able to support staff if the charity proves unable.
The full statement johnmuirtrust.org/whats-new/news…