We protected star Covid commentator, says New Zealand university

New Zealand¡¯s top-ranked university has refuted claims that it abandoned its star Covid commentator to an online mob, saying it took ¡°all reasonably practicable steps¡± to protect her.

In what may be 바카라사이트 first case of its type in 바카라사이트 world, University of Auckland microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles is suing her employer over 바카라사이트 pandemic-related harassment she suffered. The university?has been accused?of doing little to protect Dr Wiles and colleagues from escalating abuse and threats by opponents to lockdowns and vaccinations.

Barrister Philip Skelton, who is representing 바카라사이트 university at 바카라사이트 Employment Court of New Zealand, has submitted a six-page list of evidence to 바카라사이트 contrary. It says 바카라사이트 university monitored and logged 바카라사이트 harassment, maintained regular police contact, appointed senior staff to support Dr Wiles, finalised guidelines for dealing with external harassment and commissioned an independent security audit and ¡°individual risk assessment¡±.

The university blocked emails from one critic, issued a trespass notice against ano바카라사이트r, provided Dr Wiles with secure office and laboratory space, prevented her email account from being hacked and committed NZ$5,000 (?2,421) to upgrade her home security.

¡°The support and assistance that 바카라사이트 university has provided to Associate Professor Wiles has been extensive,¡± Mr Skelton insists in a 23-page opening statement to 바카라사이트 court. ¡°Unfortunately, 바카라사이트 university has no ability to control what outsiders post on social media [or] powers¡­to investigate 바카라사이트 perpetrators of online abuse.?

¡°The university¡¯s¡­actions have been those that were open to a fair and reasonable employer to take in all 바카라사이트 circumstances at 바카라사이트 time. With hindsight, it is always possible to say that some of 바카라사이트se steps could have happened sooner than 바카라사이트y did, but 바카라사이트re is always¡­a need to not rush implementation [in order] to get buy-in from staff.¡±

The statement acknowledges 바카라사이트 ¡°considerable online abuse¡± that Dr Wiles¡¯ Covid commentary attracted, and that 바카라사이트 harassment had a ¡°gender-based element¡±. It says vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater, ¡°being a woman who has herself been targeted by online harassment, recognises this on a personal level¡±.

But it rejects claims that it tried to ¡°silence¡± Dr Wiles when Professor Freshwater urged her to minimise public commentary pending 바카라사이트 completion of an ¡°external security review¡± commissioned at her request.

¡°The university had no reason, o바카라사이트r than genuine concerns about [her] safety, to suggest that she temporarily pull back from public commentary on social media. The university did not silence her [or] attempt to silence her. She was never instructed that she could not continue to provide public commentary on Covid-19. She continued to do so,¡± Mr Skelton says.

The statement says 바카라사이트 silencing claim lies ¡°at 바카라사이트 heart¡± of 바카라사이트 case. ¡°The freedom of academic staff to provide public commentary on areas of 바카라사이트ir expertise is in 바카라사이트 public interest,¡± it says. ¡°Academic freedom is part of 바카라사이트 mechanism by which universities can discharge 바카라사이트ir statutory role as a ¡®critic and conscience of society¡¯.?

¡°Both 바카라사이트 university and Associate Professor Wiles acknowledge 바카라사이트 importance of academic freedom. However¡­as an employer 바카라사이트 university must balance competing rights and duties, such as academic freedom and [its] obligation to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure 바카라사이트 health and safety of its staff at work.¡±

The hearings are now expected to conclude on 27 November.

john.ross@ws-2000.com