She has been on leave from her role since June 7 last year owing to a personal illness her lawyers say was suffered in the course of her employment. The parties attended mediation on May 18 but failed to reach a resolution,the Federal Court heard on Tuesday.
In documents filed in court,Georgealleges she was denied a safe workplace by Ten and that her complaints to senior managers about conflicting directions from managers,a high workload and a fraught working relationship with political editor Peter van Onselen were left unresolved.
Among her complaints to managers was that van Onselen engaged in conduct that was unsupportive,“belittling and passive aggressive”. She alleges in her statement of claim that her manager,network executive editor Anthony Murdoch,told her in late 2019 or 2020 that the station’s Parliament House bureau culture had always been “toxic” and that she needed to learn to “deal with it”,a claim denied by Ten.
Loading
George alleges she told van Onselen in a text message in February 2020 that she and another reporter “moved our lives to be a part of a kick-ass team – your team – and don’t feel particularly supported,respected or even welcome there some days”.
She claims she subsequently met with Murdoch,who told her that van Onselen rejected her complaint of being unsupported,disrespected and unwelcome,and van Onselen expected her to apologise to him. “Peter is batshit crazy but we just have to get used to it,” she alleges Murdoch said. Ten denies those claims.
George is seeking declarations that her employer contravened the Fair Work Act,along with compensation for loss and damage and a pecuniary penalty.