Interesting feedback, I am employed in a state government organisation that must always remain undisclosed. I am protected under the provisions of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003, better known as whistleblower protection.

So when I was allowed to take outside employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I took this as leave without pay. I had returned to Australia for offshore rotation, that is paid leave and I was in Australia so I volunteered for Worldskills judging of apprentices in a skills competition. So when the rest of the guys returned to work on Monday, the question came up if OHalloran was there. There was already discussion that I was to be abused by some, based on very loose office discussions as it was discussed that I would volunteer this weekend.

The discussion was all he was talking about was the Congo, naturally I am not there to defend myself – not that I would anyway. I don’t care about their clicky office gossip, I really don’t rate this type of behaviour. I did discuss it, these guys did ask me and I responded to their questions. However, actions speak louder than words and on my return to the office, someone was sitting at my desk as they had issues with their desk. It was no problem, I didn’t consider asking him to return to his desk, I just said I will take a desk outside of the office. 

I just started work, I pretty much didn’t talk to anyone, I did not initiate any conversations – I just got on with it. I certainly didn’t discuss my overseas adventures and, if asked, I kept my answers short and to the point. So based on this behaviour witnessed by everyone in my workplace, there was no substance to these claims. Of course, malicious office gossip is rarely based on fact, so I may find the actual events and what is talked about in office gossip morph into reality.