Channel Seven slams accusations that its HR department was unfair to junior staffer
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Audio has emerged of a Channel Seven cadet journalist being dismissed just days after she made a complaint against an older male colleague.
At the time, Amy Taeuber complained about the male reporter for making “sexist” remarks about her marital status, and calling her a “lesbian”.
Taeuber, 27, produced a phone recording that was aired on the ABC’s 7:30 Report, which shows she was told to leave the building immediately after being presented with bullying allegations against her.
The cadet was presented with a series of written allegations during a meeting with Seven's HR department.
She was also allegedly told her phone and Seven identity pass would be taken away, that she was immediately suspended from duty, and she could not log out of her computer.
"I feel like this is humiliating me for making a complaint in the first place, and it's really disgusting," said Taeuber during the meeting.
Taeuber said she felt “very victimised, to be honest.”
“I’ve worked so hard to get this job and I know people are just trying to get rid of me now and it’s just really upsetting,” she said.
Moreover, it was later allegedly revealed that the victim of the bullying was Taeuber’s friend and a fellow cadet, Peter Fegan, who had not made any complaint against her.
It was also alleged that Seven had gone through Taeuber’s emails and found evidence of her talking about Fegan.
The ABC reported that Seven began investigating Taeuber over a number of pranks the cadets had played on each other, which had been uploaded to YouTube.
Moreover, early in the meeting the HR manager had ordered Taeuber's support person, chief of staff Lesley Johns, to leave the room. When Johns protested, she was cut off.
After Taeuber asked for a statement of the person making the allegations of bullying against her, the HR manager said: "OK, so how do we want to plan your exit, Amy? I do understand that we don't want to make it humiliating for you."
In February this year, it was reported that Taeuber has settled her legal row with the network out of court.
Taeuber filed an adverse action claim in the Federal Court Circuit after mediation through Fair Work Commission failed following her dismissal.
HRD contacted Channel Seven for comment, and a spokesperson said in a statement that the program broadcast on 7.30 was neither “accurate nor balanced” and the allegations aired were not put to Seven for reply.
“Had they been, Seven would have made clear that the termination of employment was made pursuant to a breach of contract, and the former employee was represented by two successive firms of lawyers and the union,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that there was an investigation into alleged breaches of Amy Taeuber’s employment contract.
“Seven’s HR team did not try to build any case against her and their investigation was not related to any complaint made by Amy about other staff,” said the spokesperson.
“It is untrue to say that she was not represented. The matter proceeded to mediation, where she was again represented, culminating in a deed of release which contained a confidentiality provision.
“We are surprised by the allegations six months after the signing of a mutual agreement and settlement. Her complaint was fully investigated and resolved.
“A public apology was issued by the person who has been transferred to another newsroom. Nothing of this issue was raised by her law firms at the time.”
Channel Seven claim Amy was not sacked during the telephone call which she recorded and which was broadcast on 730 as the ABC has suggested.
"She was suspended and given a chance to respond to the allegations. It is customary practice that employees under investigation be suspended."
Following that telephone call, Channel Seven claim allegations about Amy’s conduct were fairly put to her in writing and she was asked to respond in writing and stood down during the interim to allow her time to do that.
The spokesperson said Seven has a long history of providing career opportunities and promotion of the more than 2,500 women who work for the organisation in Australia.
“We reject completely the claim we do not act fairly and supportively at all times with members of our staff.”
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At the time, Amy Taeuber complained about the male reporter for making “sexist” remarks about her marital status, and calling her a “lesbian”.
Taeuber, 27, produced a phone recording that was aired on the ABC’s 7:30 Report, which shows she was told to leave the building immediately after being presented with bullying allegations against her.
The cadet was presented with a series of written allegations during a meeting with Seven's HR department.
She was also allegedly told her phone and Seven identity pass would be taken away, that she was immediately suspended from duty, and she could not log out of her computer.
"I feel like this is humiliating me for making a complaint in the first place, and it's really disgusting," said Taeuber during the meeting.
Taeuber said she felt “very victimised, to be honest.”
“I’ve worked so hard to get this job and I know people are just trying to get rid of me now and it’s just really upsetting,” she said.
Moreover, it was later allegedly revealed that the victim of the bullying was Taeuber’s friend and a fellow cadet, Peter Fegan, who had not made any complaint against her.
It was also alleged that Seven had gone through Taeuber’s emails and found evidence of her talking about Fegan.
The ABC reported that Seven began investigating Taeuber over a number of pranks the cadets had played on each other, which had been uploaded to YouTube.
Moreover, early in the meeting the HR manager had ordered Taeuber's support person, chief of staff Lesley Johns, to leave the room. When Johns protested, she was cut off.
After Taeuber asked for a statement of the person making the allegations of bullying against her, the HR manager said: "OK, so how do we want to plan your exit, Amy? I do understand that we don't want to make it humiliating for you."
In February this year, it was reported that Taeuber has settled her legal row with the network out of court.
Taeuber filed an adverse action claim in the Federal Court Circuit after mediation through Fair Work Commission failed following her dismissal.
HRD contacted Channel Seven for comment, and a spokesperson said in a statement that the program broadcast on 7.30 was neither “accurate nor balanced” and the allegations aired were not put to Seven for reply.
“Had they been, Seven would have made clear that the termination of employment was made pursuant to a breach of contract, and the former employee was represented by two successive firms of lawyers and the union,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that there was an investigation into alleged breaches of Amy Taeuber’s employment contract.
“Seven’s HR team did not try to build any case against her and their investigation was not related to any complaint made by Amy about other staff,” said the spokesperson.
“It is untrue to say that she was not represented. The matter proceeded to mediation, where she was again represented, culminating in a deed of release which contained a confidentiality provision.
“We are surprised by the allegations six months after the signing of a mutual agreement and settlement. Her complaint was fully investigated and resolved.
“A public apology was issued by the person who has been transferred to another newsroom. Nothing of this issue was raised by her law firms at the time.”
Channel Seven claim Amy was not sacked during the telephone call which she recorded and which was broadcast on 730 as the ABC has suggested.
"She was suspended and given a chance to respond to the allegations. It is customary practice that employees under investigation be suspended."
Following that telephone call, Channel Seven claim allegations about Amy’s conduct were fairly put to her in writing and she was asked to respond in writing and stood down during the interim to allow her time to do that.
The spokesperson said Seven has a long history of providing career opportunities and promotion of the more than 2,500 women who work for the organisation in Australia.
“We reject completely the claim we do not act fairly and supportively at all times with members of our staff.”
Related stories:
Former employee abandons legal fight with Seven West Media
Does your workplace have a ‘macho mentality’?
FWC clears university for dismissing employee who sent abusive email