Sacked manager Glenn Howie told the Fair Work Commission last month he wanted a ''circuit-breaker'' to force the animal charity to act on alleged unfair treatment of staff by then ACT chief executive Michael Linke.

The former senior manager agreed in oral evidence to the commission that he had provided confidential information to a union and through discussions with the media, but defended his actions, which led to last September's publicity around the concreting of rabbit warrens at the charity's Weston headquarters.

''I wanted … the circuit-breaker to bring to the council and put pressure on the RSPCA council that Mr Linke was bullying staff, including myself, severely bullying staff … because their track record had showed they did nothing,'' Mr Howie said. ''He harassed them, he bullied them, he threatened them.''

A present staff member also told the public hearing that she felt threatened and harassed by the long-serving chief executive.

Mr Linke, whose resignation took effect in November, was not party to the proceedings and did not give evidence at the hearing.

When contacted by The Sunday Canberra Times, he firmly rejected all claims of bullying, harassment and threats, and said he would not have changed any part of his management style.

''I was highly regarded by staff and volunteers at the RSPCA and was often seen as the saviour of RSPCA ACT due [to] my passion for the cause of animal welfare and my business acumen,'' he said.

''Over the last 18 months of my time there, the RSPCA achieved a tremendous amount, and this achievement was down to my leadership.

''The RSPCA topped the rehoming rates for animals across the country … and we enjoyed record donations.

''This would not have happened if I wasn't a good leader and a good responsive and respectful manager.''

Counsel for the RSPCA told the commission Mr Howie, who was stood down in mid-September and sacked a month later, was not justified in raising his concerns outside the organisation and was impatient with the proper processes the council had put in place to address the serious allegations.

''The fact is, the council's processes didn't suit Mr Howie's motives,'' the barrister said. ''It didn't move quick enough. It was too fair.''

RSPCA ACT president Louise Douglas said the complaints from eight or nine staff in September, which covered issues including underpayment, staff welfare and management style, were now less likely to be raised.

''We have employed a new CEO and they have got to work on attending to creating the best possible workplaces following all of the correct processes,'' Ms Douglas said.

She declined to comment on the findings from last year's investigations into the staff complaints.

Fair Work Commissioner Barbara Deegan has reserved her judgment.