The Athlone Institute of Technology's management should undergo training in conflict resolution, the Labour Court has recommended after it considered long-running allegations of harassment and bullying involving two academics.
The dispute dates back to February 2002 when Dr Sheila McGree, an assistant lecturer in applied social sciences in the institute's department of humanities, submitted a research proposal for a Department of Education grant.
The court said she subsequently made a complaint under the institute's anti-harassment policy that the former head of department, Dr Niall McElwee, "had tried to sabotage the project and told lies in his efforts". She also claimed he had "unjustly maligned" her to other professionals both in and outside the institute. She said this was evidence of his "bullying and harassment".
The court decision, published on its website, says Dr McElwee "was not a party to this investigation and, the court was informed, is currently processing grievances on his own behalf" against Dr McGree. After Dr McGree made her complaint in September 2002, an investigating committee at the institute found there was no case of harassment or bullying.
The issue was referred to a rights commissioner, who recommended an external investigation. When that investigation was completed, Dr McGree appealed to the Labour Court.
She said her complaint had not been "taken seriously and that the investigation undertaken was not thorough". She said management at the institute failed to take disciplinary action against Dr McElwee.
The institute told the court the complaint had been dealt with in an "appropriate manner" in accordance with its anti-harassment policy and with best practice.
Following the initial rights commissioner hearing, Dr McElwee and Dr McGree agreed to an independent academic inquiry, which took place with the co-operation of both.
The court said the focus of Dr McGree's case appeared to be her dissatisfaction about the lack of disciplinary action against Dr McElwee. The court said it believed the external investigation had found in favour of Dr McGree "in relation to her behaviour regarding the research project management".