Governance for an organisation like the Essendon Football Club is an overarching set of principles that apply equally to management as it does to club members. The Essendon Football Club have posted their Code of Conduct on their website under “governance”.
Threatening employees based on their religious beliefs is against the Essendon Football Club’s Code of Conduct. It applies throughout an organisation and specifically states applying to employees.
“when dealing with any club employees, players or officials) to refrain from: Engaging in or endorsing any form of threatening conduct, or vilification … on the basis of …religion,”
The Board of Essendon Football Club essentially vilified Andrew Thorburn, the new CEO, for his Christian religious beliefs. They attacked him for a 2013 pastor’s sermon from his church, (years before he attended).
They then asked him to choose between his commitment to his church, and the Essendon Football Club. The Board of the Essendon Football Club, headed by Dave Barham, President, forced Andrew Thorburn into making that choice and forcing a resignation.
People are hired based on their abilities and character. Their performance is what is assessed, not the words of a pastor that spoke at a church before they attended. The witch hunt that Dave Barham conducted is in today’s terms of corporate governance is called “religious vilification”. The Board of Essendon Football Club created that vilification. They have now created an unsafe environment for all employees of faith. They need to step down beginning with Dave Barham, the President.
Essendon Football Club—Members Code of Conduct
Consistent with the values of Essendon FC, all members are required:
- To conduct themselves towards the club and players in ways that are respectful to all, lawful and in the spirit of the game;
In relation to Essendon matches, social media channels and events (or when dealing with any club employees, players or officials) to refrain from:
- Engaging in or endorsing any form of threatening conduct, or vilification or abuse on the basis of race, gender, religion, disability or sexuality;
- Any acts of violence, disruptive behaviour or use of offensive or abusive language or gestures;
- To comply with the terms of entry at any venue in relation to any club matches or other club activities; and
- To conduct themselves in a manner that does not damage (or have the potential to damage) the reputation of the club, its members or supporters.
Then the EFC really shot themselves in the foot, breaking their own laws by sacking a person that went to a Christian church. Yes, a Christian church that had a ‘controversial’ speech before this guy attended.
Our painful premier Dan Andrews pushed this of course. He has to lose his seat on Victoria’s election date: 26/11/2022