Deputy Premier Roger Cook denies ‘toxic’ workplace environment and ‘unfair dismissal’ of Sanja Spasojevic

Health Minister Roger Cook has denied there is a toxic environment in his electoral and ministerial offices. Responding to claims of a former employee that his offices were toxic environments, he told reporters the culture in his offices were ones of “positivity, productivity, inclusiveness and support” Long time staffer Sanja Spasojevic says she was sacked from his electoral office because of absence from work without authorised leave. An accusation she emphatically denies. She believes she was victimised and unfairly dismissed after working for Mr Cook for nine years. However, Mr Cook says this was not the case. “There were some workplace issues in relation to Sanja’s employment, as a result she was asked to make some explanations to the Department of Premier and Cabinet,” Mr Cook said. “Those explanations weren’t accepted.” Ms Spasosevic claims the issues weren’t raised with her until after she was told her “employment was no longer required” and told to pack her things and claims there was no procedural fairness. The matter is now before the WA Industrial Relations Commission. In an interview published in The West Australiantoday, Ms Spasojevic said her employment was terminated without warning in October last year because of disputed absences from work. But Ms Spasojevic said she had not been afforded any form of procedural fairness and attacked Mr Cook for his response. “Roger Cook’s refusal to take any form of accountability is disappointing and a betrayal,” she said. “It is not just a betrayal for me, but for many of the people working in politics who devote their lives to their Member and Minister, often placing them before their own needs and those of their families.” She said standards upheld in the public eye were not practised in reality or extended to employees. “The hypocrisy and toxic culture is what allows for serious misconduct to continue and it will continue until something is done, not just discussed,” she said. “I know there are many people that have suffered and will continue to suffer in the way they are treated, often being scapegoated, and taking the blame for their Members and Ministers. “I know that me standing up is my way of saying unheard voices need to be heard. “I will not be the first that has been treated this way, but I genuinely want to be the last.” Ms Spasosevic claims Mr Cook, who was a close friend, has not called her since that day to explain the decision or offer any comfort, describing her treatment as “brutal”. The West Australian is aware that one Labor candidate was so disgusted over her treatment he considered pulling out. “What has happened to you is a stark reminder to me of the worst parts of the Labor Party and why I left it for a period,” he texted her. “But you Sanja, you are a reminder of what is good about the Labor Party, you represent what everyone in the party should be and it hardens my resolve to fight for what’s right. You are in the right and do not deserve to be treated as you have.” Ms Spasojevic, 42, is the second of Mr Cook’s staff to be fired in controversial circumstances. His media adviser Jane Grljusich was sacked in November 2017 after she made a bullying complaint against Mr Cook’s then chief-of-staff, which included hurtful emails that referred to her as “Kim Jong Lard” and a text message that suggested she set up a GoFundMe to pay for liposuction. The staffer was cleared of any allegation of bullying following an internal investigation and the Department of Premier and Cabinet stated that both staff were engaged in “inappropriate workplace communications” The staff member resigned after the matter was revealed in the media. Ironically, Ms Spasojevic and Ms Grljusich were the two staffers invited by Mr Cook to attend his swearing-in ceremony as minister in May 2017. Ms Spasojevic has lodged an appeal to the Public Service Appeal Board over her treatment. She’s also complained to the Public Service Commissioner citing a lack of procedural fairness.