Tom Switzer quits CIS after sexual harassment claim

Former head of influential think tank the Centre for Independent Studies Tom Switzer has quit after he was accused of sexually harassing a staff member.

Staff at the right-leaning think tank were informed on Tuesday that Switzer had resigned as a senior fellow with the CIS “effective immediately”.

Left: Tom Switzer. Right: Emilie DyeCredit: Instagram/Wolter Peeters

“As you are aware, CIS is facing a challenging workplace dispute in the Fair Work Commission,” new CIS executive director Michael Stutchbury told staff in an email on Tuesday.

“The pressure of this process has affected both the CIS and Tom personally.

“After careful consideration, Tom has decided it is in the best interests of CIS that he resign effective immediately.

“We acknowledge his contribution to the organisation and wish him well for the future.”

Loading

His departure comes after this masthead last month revealed Emilie Dye, who until recently had worked as a marketing and research analyst at the centre, alleged in Fair Work documents that Switzer rubbed her leg, told her she had a “great arse” and described himself as “a very sexual guy” on a night out.

He categorically denies the claims against him, and previously told this masthead that CCTV footage of the alleged incident during a night out at Alfie’s Bar in Sydney’s CBD, was a “card up my sleeve” while declining to give a copy.

He has been contacted for comment.

The CIS has been rocked by the allegations against Switzer, as well as Dye’s claims about the way the think tank’s leadership handled the complaint. She alleges the think tank engaged in retaliatory conduct against her after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement over the alleged incident.

Switzer stood down as head of the centre after the complaint, a decision he said he had already made, and was made a senior fellow. He has continued to appear on panels for the think tank.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the centre said: “The CIS is currently engaged in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission, and Tom Switzer has decided that it is in the best interests of the organisation for him to resign.”

The think tank has previously said it believes it responded to the complaint appropriately and complied with “all requirements of the agreed resolution” with Dye and Switzer.

This masthead previously revealed CIS chairman Nicholas Moore had apologised to Dye after the alleged incident, and that chief operating officer Dearne Cameron had thanked her for handling it with “integrity and professionalism”.

But Dye alleges in Fair Work documents that the think tank engaged in “retaliatory” action after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement by launching an investigation into her conduct. The investigation came after the CIS said she had been accused of engaging in “conversations of a sexual nature in the workplace” and discussing “sexual relationships”.

This masthead also revealed last week that, despite senior CIS staff viewing CCTV footage of the alleged incident in the weeks after Dye’s complaint, she had never been informed about its existence.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

Most Viewed in National

Loading