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ARTICLE · 15 MAY 2014

Large payout in recent bullying case for employee returning from maternity leave

Cooper Grace Ward
Cooper Grace Ward
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Cooper Grace Ward

Cooper Grace Ward

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Employers must respond to all workplace bullying complaints and have policies and procedures to manage workplace conduct.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Belinda Winter
Belinda Winter
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In the recent case of Keegan v Sussan Corporation (Aust.) Pty Ltd1an employee was awarded just under $240,000 in damages after being bullied for 11 days.

This case demonstrates how important it is for employers to proactively respond to all workplace bullying complaints and have policies and procedures in place to manage workplace conduct.

A new manager at Sussan's Cairns Central retail fashion store was found to have bullied an employee returning from maternity leave.

The alleged bullying conduct included:

  • excluding the employee from business discussions;
  • ignoring her offers of assistance;
  • unwarranted criticisms of her past and present performance;
  • repeatedly speaking in an 'aggressive and nasty' tone; and

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