Cancer Council Queensland faces wrongful dismissal lawsuit over alleged bullying and workplace dysfunction

A research boss at Queensland's peak cancer charity has alleged its chief executive bullied her, and their workplace relationship became so dysfunctional she was told to not contact him directly, according to a lawsuit.

The lawsuit filed by Sandi Hayes, former director of research at the Cancer Council Queensland, marks the latest upheaval for a charity supporting thousands of patients and raising tens of millions of dollars annually.

Cancer Council Queensland is defending the lawsuit and said an investigation found no wrongdoing by chief executive Matt Gardiner. The defence filings allege Dr Hayes had been hostile and disrespectful in a top-level meeting, and was sacked after her and Mr Gardiner's office vibe deteriorated to the point psychological health was at risk.

Started in 1961, the charity helps cancer patients through counselling, accommodation, a wig service and research into areas such as early cancer detection.

It had in 2025 posted a worsening financial situation, high staff turnover and internal gripes.

While latest accounts are yet to be released, the council has now proclaimed financial performance had surged, and it was providing more services and record research investment.

Wrongful dismissal lawsuit

Mr Gardiner declined interview requests but told the ABC in a statement: "Cancer Council Queensland is becoming increasingly effective, increasingly influential and increasingly capable of creating a future where fewer Queenslanders experience cancer."

Mr Gardiner, who started in February last year, also said: "For more than a year, a small group of former employees have pursued a campaign of damaging rumours, misinformation and unsupported allegations."

The Courier-Mail in October last year first detailed a spate of staff departures and concerns, including one employee in a widespread email complaining of a "shift away from emotional, psychosocial and financial support — the very services that have defined [the organisation's] compassion and impact".

The ABC can reveal further upheaval since.

Among that is Dr Hayes claiming she was wrongfully dismissed in an ongoing Federal Circuit Court lawsuit filed against the council, Mr Gardiner and recently appointed chairman Todd Everitt.

Her filings said she had allegedly levelled complaints against Mr Gardiner, including to board members at the Brisbane Club or over a Microsoft Teams chat.

That included discussing in April last year Mr Gardiner's communication and alleging "integrity and trust issues including equity issues" about his "relationship" with another person at the organisation.

But the joint defence claimed Dr Hayes's concerns then were about the chief executive's work-style and technical understanding of research, and Dr Hayes's gripes were not a complaint under workplace laws.

Both sides' filings detailed versions of clashes such as an argument during budget planning, or about executive titles.

At one stage, Dr Hayes said a staffer sought approval to opt out of a "Pride Month" computer-screen display due to his strong Christian beliefs. Mr Gardiner rejected the request and, according to the defence, said: "Some people will need to think about whether their personal values align with the organisation's values."

Bullying allegations

Dr Hayes's lawsuit also detailed facing several accusations against herself as matters progressed, such as about her conduct at an August meeting with nine organisation executives.

The defence filings alleged an internal investigation determined Dr Hayes had been hostile and disrespectful then, particularly toward the chief executive, while also criticising "two discreet comments" Mr Gardiner had made.

By October last year, Dr Hayes, who at one stage took temporary leave, had alleged bullying and inappropriate behaviour from the chief executive and the other person at the organisation, her lawsuit claimed.

That same month, Dr Hayes was told communications between herself and Mr Gardiner must temporarily be emailed via the human resources chief.

The defence filing stated this was based on Dr Hayes's medical advice, Mr Gardiner had received the same instructions and the no-contact directive would uphold both executives' "psychosocial safety".

Court documents also said a commissioned investigation into Mr Gardiner and the other person at the organisation "did not substantiate" allegations raised. Dr Hayes's lawyers could not obtain a copy of it.

Despite mediation attempts, Dr Hayes was ultimately fired this February. The defence filings alleged this was because Dr Hayes could not work with Mr Gardiner without "giving rise to a health and safety risk".

The organisation and Dr Hayes declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Service questions

The spat contrasts with the council's uplifting public presence; its Facebook page profiles people walking or dancing around athletic tracks for its Relay for Life charity event. Volunteers sell yellow daffodils in another fundraising effort.

The organisation told the ABC service levels had risen: providing 26,575 bed nights last year at accommodation centres, up 8.6 per cent, and financial counselling services for 287 people, up 23 per cent.

It added psychological counselling sessions had been decentralised to reach more people.

The council also said a recent staff engagement result — which consolidates 12 answers — lifted to a "good" 4.1 out of 5.

But one source with knowledge of the organisation said an internal review in February this year indicated staff satisfaction levels had dropped.

That same month, an employee allegedly emailed others describing trying to alleviate pressure on its psychological counselling service, saying some waiting periods were up eight weeks.

The organisation did not dispute either account.

At a town hall meeting last December, then chairman Robert Gregg told that meeting the organisation had needed reform. "Things had to change," he said.

He also argued Mr Gardiner had copped blame for changes previously in train. "Matt's a victim of the journey," he said.

The council said staff turnover had been at 42 per cent in the 2025 financial year, improving to 31 per cent last financial year when it employed 185. That is above typical non-profit organisation turnover rates reported by overseas employment and service agencies of between 19 per cent and 21 per cent.

Cancer Council Queensland lost $4.1 million in financial year 2025, with fundraising slightly down while administration, support services and research expenses rose.

The organisation, above a picture of smiling volunteers holding small teddy bears, in August reported its "strongest" operating result in five years. It has not yet released accounts but said last financial year's profit was $3.24 million.