A Channel Seven reporter has allegedly been stood down over mental health concerns, just days after she instigated a class-action lawsuit against the network.
According to The Australian, the senior on-air reporter was placed on enforced leave from the Melbourne newsroom.
Seven allegedly claimed she exhibited concerning behaviour, such as parking in the wrong staff spot during a weekend shift, questioning colleagues about their experiences at the network during work hours, and rummaging through the chief of staff’s desk drawers.
She also joked ‘Everyone thinks I’m crazy’ after advocating for higher wages during a union meeting.
The reporter has now allegedly been banned from returning to work until she passes a mental health assessment with a Seven-appointed psychiatrist.
Seven has defended its decision and told the publication that they suspended the journalist as they were ‘concerned about her welfare’.
A Channel Seven reporter has allegedly been fired over mental health concerns, just days after she instigated a class-action lawsuit against the network
The reporter informed her fellow staff in an email last week: ‘I’ve got three little kids at home and I’m still battling with [Seven News boss] Ray Kuka over his demands to make me endure a medical assessment.
‘I’d really urge you to sign on to the Adero expressions of interest page … so that we can have strength in numbers.
‘Be prepared for (management) to go through your emails and listen to your conversations. Opt for WhatsApp and Signal over text messages or work emails.’
It comes as employment litigation firm Adero Law is investigating a class action over two major claims against Seven West Media, which owns the Seven Network.
As part of its analysis, the law firm has spoken to more than 20 current and former Seven staff and requested several personnel files.
Caitlin McIvor, a senior associate at Adero, told the Australian Financial Review her team is preparing the potential suit against the media giant, though it is yet to be filed.
Her clients have accused Seven of underpaying staff, misclassifying roles, denying paid breaks, and failing to compensate overtime hours.
The first claim under investigation will focus on allegations that Seven paid some of its experienced journalists and producers a ‘Level Five’ salary, just one rung above cadet or entry-level journalists.
The senior, female on-air reporter was placed on enforced leave from the Melbourne newsroom
The base rate for a Level Five employee was between $55,100 and $65,500, plus extra loading if the person works enough hours — as agreed on in the enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) settled in 2022.
There was also a ‘personal margin’ included in the salary but some staff alleged this was slashed as the base salary was increased, which negated any pay rise.
Some staff have alleged their extra pay was absorbed by Seven as part of an ongoing effort to cut costs, as it faces ongoing advertising revenue losses.
A spokeswoman for Seven West said the company rejected the accusations.
‘Seven West Media is confident it is paying its news and current affairs employees appropriately and in line with the enterprise agreement and legislative obligations,’ she said.
Secondly, Adero is investigating whether a recent Federal Court ruling on backpay could affect Seven employees.
Last month, in an unrelated case, the Federal Court ruled employers must keep detailed timesheets for salaried staff, which include overtime.
The decision saw Coles’ backpay estimates jump from $31million to $250million, while Woolworths’ increased from $486million to $1.2billion.
If the law firm successfully proves Seven violated the 2022 EBA, it could result in a massive backpay bill. About 1,200 employees were party to the document.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .