Lorna Jane Faces Allegation of Workplace Bullying
Wednesday 16 September 2015 @ 11.06 a.m. | Industrial Law
Amy Robinson, former store manager of popular gymwear brand Lorna Jane is filing a legal claim against her former employer for covering up the bullying she suffered about her weight from other staff members. Ms Robinson is claiming up to $500,000 of damages for the pain and emotional suffering she endured in her six months with the company.
Background to the Case
Ms Robinson alleged that she was frequently bullied, harassed and demeaned during her work by her colleagues and that this series of abuse was covered up by upper management. Shine Lawyer’s Kimberly Allen, Ms Robinson’s legal representative, argues that Ms Robinson was also under an unacceptable amount of pressure and forced to work long hours in an understaffed store. Ms Robinson, who is a sized 14, explained that there weren’t too many girls who were over a sized 10 working in the stores and that they were all young and attractive. Consequently, she is constantly ridiculed for her weight and was advised to skip lunch on occasions.
Lorna Jane Takes to Facebook
Lorna Jane spokeswoman Belinda Zordan says that Lorna Jane vehemently denies these allegations and reiterates that the company has never been the subject of any legal claims during its twenty six years of operation. The company took to Facebook to defend itself by creating the hashtag #tellthetruth with the following comment:
“We proudly employ more than 1300 women across Australia and pride ourselves on the positive culture within out business,” Lorna Jane said in the now-deleted Facebook post.
We believe the claims that are being made are grandstanding on the claimant’s behalf and Shine Lawyers. We are very disappointed by what has been reported by the media, as this does not reflect the actual claim being made which relates to a workplace injury and direct management of the claimant, in which Lorna Jane acted swiftly when the business was notified.
Lorna Jane is an Australian company that has worked hard for 26 years to empower women and build a brand and working environment that provides progressive career paths, innovative mentorship and a positive culture that has forged one of Australia’s most successful fashion brands.”
The comment has since been removed but not before it received media backlash, accusing it of being a bullying campaign in itself. The company was accused of rallying its Facebook supporters to bully Ms Robinson.
Communications and social media expert Catriona Pollard told SmartCompany that "hashtags are generally used by brands to make content trend or go viral but if that occurs, the company can no longer control it, they are handing it over to social media”.
The case is yet to be heard in the courts and tribunals for determination.
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