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Hi I am Chairman of a self managed strata scheme of 15 villa units. Our gardener verbally abused (raised voice and swore) at one of the committee members for not asking him to quote on a garden repair. We had a plumber do some work and had a landscaper re-do the paving but there was a small area of the lawn that was dug up. We had the landscaper replace this – the gardener felt he should of done the work (just the lawn repair) and was annoyed he was not asked to quote. We do ask him to quote on other garden related activities outside his mowing contract. The gardener has since verbally apologised to the committee member. However, the committee member does not feel this was sufficient and wants further action (though she has not specified this) as she now feels uncomfortable in the public areas when he is around. I have spoken to both of them – on the phone as I don’t live there permanently, but have not seen either face to face as yet. I think as she wants to pursue it the next step is for her to write a complaint about him to the EC. I would then write a letter to him to formalise it. I’m not sure I would put him on notice – but that is an option. Do you have any other suggestions or recommendations.
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I don’t wish to appear disingenuous, but really! OK the gardener shouldn’t have abused the Committee Member, but as he’s since personally apologised I’d be inclined to let it rest there!
Yes – I agree. The gardener has made a personal apology, what more does she want?
If the Committee member made a formal complaint, the EC would then be noting it, and the fact that an apology had been made. To what end?
As the saying goes – build a bridge and get over it.
Interesting and sticky situation. For myself when I work with my staff in Adelaide, I tend to see how things can be resolved amicably first before having to outrightly make a complaint and so on. After all the guy might have just been having a bad day.
Some owners don’t handle being (collective) employers very well. They seem to expect that anyone who upsets them for any reason should be sacked on the spot – a situation they would never tolerate in their own workplaces. The sense of entitlement that often comes with being a strata owner makes you think these people must have been raised in Downton Abbey rather than suburban Australia.
That said, it’s well worth large strata schemes looking at a dispute resolution program where people who have a complaint, legitimate or otherwise, against a neighbour or worker can have there say, be listened to and clear the air.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
So, it was once. Only once and there has been an apology. I’d leave it there. If it happened again, there might be a pattern emerging. If it happened yet again, some serious discussions need to be had.
Well from a different perspective, the guy is an employee and he should’ve known better than to bring his roaring temper out of storage to the person who’s paying him right? On the other hand, what else can he do to make amends? Short of docking his pay… But I think that’s taking things a bit too far already.
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