However, Moira Shire Council acting chief executive officer Matt Jarvis said it was committed to providing a safe and positive work environment.
ASU deputy branch secretary Tash Wark said the issues were very real and incidents of complaints were well above the industry average.
The online survey completed in 2022 found widespread dissatisfaction among Moira Shire employees.
Some of the findings included:
1. 91 per cent have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment in the workplace and zero per cent were satisfied with management’s response to issues reported;
2. 45 per cent have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment at work with zero per cent satisfied with management’s response to reported issues;
3. Nine per cent believe the current protections against bullying and harassment are adequate;
4. Only 36 per cent feel safe in their workplace; and
5. Zero per cent believe the current protections on workplace mental health and wellbeing are adequate at council.
Other findings included 54.5 per cent of responders believing that when considering their mental health and their working environment the situation is getting worse, in comparison to 45.5 per cent saying it is staying the same and zero percent saying the situation is getting better.
The survey was open to any ASU members working for local government in Victoria and according to the union the response rate at Moira Shire Council was one of the highest across all regional councils in Victoria.
However, Cobram Courier was unable to obtain the exact number of Moira Shire employees who responded to the survey.
Ms Wark said the survey results indicated a failure by Moira Shire management to protect their workers and signified a cultural problem along with a significant breakdown of grievance-handling procedures.
Of particular concern for Ms Wark was the lack of satisfaction workers had with the response by management to instances of workplace harassment.
“Of grave concern is the fact that not a single respondent to our survey was satisfied with the response of council to reported incidents of bullying or sexual harassment,” Ms Wark said.
Separate to the survey, the Australian Service Union is aware of 16 WorkCover claims at Moira Shire, dating back to 2020.
This compares with an average of two claims per annum prior to April 2020.
Ms Wark has described the amount of claims as appalling.
“It is an appalling record and points to the abuse, harassment and intimidation we see by management, where workers’ issues are ignored or treated with outright hostility,” Ms Wark said.
“This is one of the worst mental health and safety records of any council I’ve seen in Victoria in my two decades working in the union movement.”
Mr Jarvis said council was always committed to ensure the wellbeing of staff.
“(Council) has a number of initiatives and benefits that support the health and wellbeing of our staff,” Mr Jarvis said.
“Council also offer staff services provided by professional health and wellbeing organisations.”
As for maintaining policies and procedures to create a safe environment, Mr Jarvis said council worked closely with WorkSafe to ensure it maintained a safe workplace for all staff.
Mr Jarvis said any contact with the ASU was welcomed.
“Moira Shire Council looks forward to receiving the survey conducted by the Australia Service Union of its members and welcomes the opportunity to discuss the concerns raised,” he said.
Addressing the Commission of Inquiry Mr Jarvis said Moira Shire would continue to cooperate.
“All councillors and officers are cooperating with the Commission of Inquiry and council and the commission are fully aligned in preferred outcomes that will support our staff and help us to service the needs of the shire,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms Wark said the ASU was ready to help any worker seeking assistance.
“If any worker needs support, the Australian Services Union stands ready to assist,” she said.
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