Sally Rugg, the former chief of staff for Kooyong MP Monique Ryan, accepted a $30,205 Parliamentary Staff Allowance for overtime worked, which was offered due to the reasonable expectation of overtime during sitting weeks. Ms Rugg is now suing her employer over unreasonable work expectations and a hostile workplace.
to Dr Ryan’s job description, the role required flexibility and versatility, with 12-hour days during parliamentary sitting weeks. However, Dr Ryan also clarified that employees who often opt out of additional hours of work due to personal or family commitments have the option to reject the allowance.
Ms Rugg’s cover letter played a significant role in securing the position, as she demonstrated her understanding of the job’s importance and expressed her enthusiasm for contributing to urgent and lasting reform. The job description required managing the paid and volunteer staff, developing and executing a media strategy, drafting speeches, and providing expert advice on parliamentary, legislative, policy, political, and constituency issues.
Dr Ryan acknowledged that the workload was significant, given the budget for staffers had been reduced. While Ms Rugg had four electorate officers and approximately 2,000 volunteers to help ease the workload, Dr Ryan claimed that Ms Rugg did not work efficiently and delegated tasks ineffectively. Dr Ryan also noted that Ms Rugg was issued a formal warning after flying home from Canberra while knowingly infected with Covid.
Ms Rugg claims that Dr Ryan approached her and said she would terminate her employment in January, but Dr Ryan denies this allegation. Dr Ryan offered Ms Rugg a six-week severance pay should she choose to resign, adding that she could “spin it” and say that her employment “just wasn’t a good fit.”
The job description also outlined various responsibilities and requirements, including managing relationships with staff and stakeholders, developing and executing a media and communications strategy, providing timely advice on complex and sensitive issues, and demonstrating financial management skills.
The successful candidate would also have high-level leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work extended hours during parliamentary sitting weeks and on weekends.
»Sally Rugg accepts $30,205 Parliamentary Staff Allowance for overtime worked«
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