After nine years working for security giant SNP, Jamie McPherson thought he would get some understanding when his two-year-old daughter was suffering a near-fatal medical condition last month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the senior security guard says that he is still struggling to cope with the treatment he says he suffered from his employer.
According to a bullying complaint lodged with WorkSafe ACT, he told his boss that he needed time off work to be with his daughter, Tayla, who was facing surgery for a life-threatening enlarged adenoidal tonsil.
''I don't give a f--- about your daughter,'' his supervisor is alleged to have replied.
The guard has not been back to work since.
His union, United Voice, says that no effort was made to investigate Mr McPherson's grievance, a claim disputed by the company.
United Voice has also lodged a general complaint with the work safety watchdog, alleging there is a culture of harassment and intimidation at SNP, whose Commonwealth contracts in Canberra include Crimtrac, Medicare, the Attorney-General's Department, Customs, Defence and Foreign Affairs.
The union claims that the most likely to be victimised are guards refusing demands to work unreasonable hours or who speak out about being overworked or underpaid.
But SNP managing director Tony Roche told The Canberra Times that Mr McPherson's complaint had been taken seriously and the Sydney-based firm did not tolerate bullying from any staff member.
''In response to Mr Jamie McPherson's complaint, SNP Security conducted an immediate internal investigation,'' Mr Roche said.
''SNP Security has made every effort to work with Mr McPherson to ensure that he was happy with his working conditions.
''We have documented evidence of our internal investigation, which was conducted immediately.''
At his southern Canberra home with Tayla, who has recovered, Mr McPherson, who holds security clearances from his work guarding Defence Department offices, said he was looking for another job.
''Myself and my wife and my daughter are disgusted with this person's attitude towards anyone,'' he stated in his complaint.
''How could you say something like that? How could you?
''I myself over the years in this industry have had a lot of nasty things said to me but it's just part of the job, you still know in your mind no matter how worked up you are, you still know when to stop,'' Mr McPherson said. Noel Towell
