Drumbeat in Lienz

“Loss of trust”: District governor recalled

The Lienz district authority has been in turmoil recently.

(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

A bang in East Tyrol: District governor Olga Reisner was dismissed by the provincial government on Thursday due to "an irreconcilable loss of trust". Reports from the official inspectorate and staff representatives had identified "deficiencies in leadership and communication issues". Employees had previously made serious allegations.

The Lienz district administration is said to have been seething for some time. In a recent letter to the media, employees made serious accusations against district governor Olga Reisner. Psychological violence and bullying were alleged. The fact that the house has been in disarray for some time was revealed at the beginning of the year when the entire staff committee resigned.

BH Lienz district authority

(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

Supervision started with investigations
In a statement issued by the state in March, it was stated that the employer had commissioned the supervisory authority to immediately investigate "the allegations in question". 

"Irreconcilable loss of trust"
Then came the bombshell on Thursday: "Following the presentation of the final report by the supervisory authority by the director of the provincial office, Herbert Forster, and on the basis of a report by the staff representatives, the Tyrolean provincial government decided to dismiss the head of the Lienz BH due to an irreconcilable loss of trust on the part of the employees and the employer," it said in a press release from the province.

(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

The supervisory authority had carried out extensive and costly investigations in order to verify the anonymous allegations. "In the process, the employees of the Lienz BH made extensive use of the opportunity to talk to the staff representatives and the supervisory authority," it continued.

Such a decision is not an everyday occurrence and anything but simple. However, there is no doubt that a great deal of trust has been lost within the BH Lienz.

LH Anton Mattle

Bild: Christof Birbaumer

"A decision like this is not an everyday occurrence and anything but simple. However, there is no doubt that a great deal of trust has been lost within the Lienz district administration. For us as the province of Tyrol, it is very important to offer all employees a working environment that is characterized by cooperation and respect," explained Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP).

Investigations still underway
According to the province of Tyrol, the final reports by the supervisory authority and staff representatives identify "deficiencies in management and communication issues". Reisner remains an employee in the state service. A final "assessment of any misconduct under employment law" or "matters relevant under criminal law" cannot yet be made due to ongoing investigations by the disciplinary authority and the Innsbruck public prosecutor's office.

The appointed deputy district governor Bettina Heinricher is now acting as deputy head of the Lienz district authority and the position of head of the authority will be advertised immediately.