Super Retail chief executive Anthony Heraghty presided over a dysfunctional workplace, improperly spent company money on travel and even spat on senior employees as he yelled at them, according to explosive claims contained in court filings.

Mr Heraghty and Super Retail – which operates the Rebel Sport, Supercheap Auto, BCF and Macpac retail chains – are being sued in the Federal Court by former legal chief Rebecca Farrell, who wants the company to honour a severance deal she says they reached. Ms Farrell has also alleged she was bullied and harassed at work.