Early this morning I read the detailed “charge sheet” that the AFL published to justify their allegations about the Essendon Football Club and particular people associated with the club. This blog is NOT about sport – it is about professional behaviour….

Let’s forget about the non-professionals involved and focus on the actions of Dr Bruce Reid, employed as the club doctor. I think it makes a great case study and should provide food for thought for all professionals.

The challenges for Dr Reid began when he became aware of some practices that he was not comfortable with. He raised those concerns, verbally and then, a few days later, in writing with two key officials (55,56)*.

In response, the club proposed a series of protocols that would address Dr Reid’s concerns (57). Again, this seems like a sensible step.

However, matters became more difficult when the protocols were not followed, for example, adding drugs to the supplement program without Dr Reid’s approval (71). How should a professional behave when an agreed process is not followed? It is not easy to decide between continuing to solve the problem from the inside, seeking further professional guidance or stepping away entirely.

The professional situation became even more challenging when the command to cease the program was ignored (99-102). Where did that leave Dr Reid? He was in an unenviable position and chose to stay. He is now accused of “conduct unbecoming” and “bringing the game into disrepute”.

It may be easy now to sit in judgment but the considerations faced by Dr Reid were, like many professional situations, complex in nature:

• The conflicting responsibilities to clients, employer and the public
• The confidential nature of business dealings
• Lack of clarity about the facts of the situation
• The gradual deterioration of the situation over time.
• The tension between trying to help and just giving up
• Personal commitment to people, employer and/or industry

These are hard questions and I think it is now clear that Dr Reid got them wrong. It is, however, a lot more difficult to decide how and when he should have changed his behaviour. Before you cast stones at Dr Reid, therefore, I would invite you to reflect on what you would have done – and when.

 

* Figures refer to the numbering of the AFL’s “Statement of Grounds” for ease of reference.