ABC bullying was back in the news – and in the Industrial Relations Commission
– last week. But there’s more to the story than the issues under
discussion in the AIRC. The administration of the broadcaster’s
Asia-Pacific service is being talked about. And then there’s last
week’s Catalystprogram on “corporate psychopaths”.

“Is your boss manipulative?” Catalyst’s
introduction asked. “Intimidating? Totally lacking in remorse? Yet
superficially charming? Then you could be working with a workplace
psychopath. The latest figures suggest one in ten managers are
psychopaths, and this week Catalyst goes deep inside their minds…” ABC staff are splitting their sides with laughter. Catalyst researchers obviously didn’t have very far to look, they say.

They’re less amused by this memo:

MANAGING DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2005 ABC EXECUTIVE SCHOLARSHIPS

The
ABC Executive Scholarship Program is a major initiative to develop and
support excellence in management in the ABC. The awards have been
offered over the past two years to Executive Level 1-4 managers and
provide up to ten thousand dollars for development projects.

An
independent panel of judges have made their recommendations and I am
pleased to announce that the winners of this year’s awards are:

•
Tony Walker, Manager Digital Radio. Tony was awarded a scholarship to
attend the Edinburgh Radio Festival and investigate digital radio
operations and innovations in the BBC and commercial sectors.

•
Tom O’Byrne, State Editor, News and Current Affairs, South Australia.
Tom will add a two-week study program to an overseas holiday. He will
investigate the proposed overhaul of the BBC News structure and examine
change management strategies employed to achieve the transition.

•
Peter Ryan, Business Editor News and Current Affairs, New South Wales.
Peter will attend the General Manager program at the Australian
Graduate School of Management as a career development endeavour and to
broaden his managerial experience and knowledge.

I offer my
congratulations to our 2005 scholars and I know that they will bring
back into the ABC knowledge and ideas that will be of great benefit to
the organisation. I wish them every success in their endeavours.

O’Byrne has been in and out of the AIRC. Is that “of great benefit to the organisation”?