Seven’s former news reader Talitha Cummins settles unfair dismissal claim for undisclosed sum

FORMER Weekend Sunrise news reader Talitha Cummins, 36, has settled her unfair dismissal claim against the Seven Network for an undisclosed sum.

FORMER Weekend Sunrise news reader Talitha Cummins has settled her unfair dismissal claim against the Seven Network for an undisclosed sum.

Cummins, 36, was suing her former employer in the Federal Circuit Court for damages after she was dumped from the weekend slot after having a baby.

Talitha Cummins was suing her former employer for damages after she was dumped from the weekend slot after having a baby.

She was seeking compensation from her employer of 12 years for loss of income, damages for hurt and humiliation as well as pursuing penalties for breaches of the Fair Work Act.

But at the first court date this morning her lawyer Sam Lavery from Laxon Lex Lawyers said the parties had come to a confidential financial settlement.

Cummins was seeking compensation from her employer of 12 years. Picture: Brendan Smith

Ms Cummins will not return to the Seven Network.

The confidential settlement gets rid of one legal drama for Seven which is embroiled in two civil cases with former employees in the NSW Supreme Court

The network has taken a massive public relations hit over its nasty legal dispute with Amber Harrison, the ex-mistress of CEO Tim Worner, who they are trying to slap with a gag order to stop her from speaking about the affair.

Seven is also trying to recoup $8.02 million by their former Commercial Manager of programming John Fitzgerald.

Seven has taken a hit over its nasty legal dispute with Amber Harrison, ex-mistress of CEO Tim Worner.

It is alleged Mr Fitzgerald stole the money by making fake invoices and then paying his private companies out of the company’s coffers.

In the case of Ms Cummins, court documents lodged by her lawyers claim the journalist was marginalised after giving birth when she was told, while still on leave, that on her return she would no longer be the Weekend Sunrise newsreader.

Instead, she claims she was told by Director of News Craig McPherson that she would become the 5am newsreader on the same rate of pay of $1400 a week.

Director of news and public affairs at the Seven Network, Craig McPherson. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Ms Cummins baulked at the role, telling Mr McPherson it did not suit her family responsibilities and involved more hours at the same rate of pay.

Ms Cummins then recruited lawyers, who wrote to her employer stating she was protected from unfair treatment due to family responsibilities under the Sex Discrimination Act.

Seven’s lawyers responded by saying Ms Cummins’ employment statement changed from permanent to casual employee when she took on the Weekend Sunrise newsreader role in 2014.

Seven claimed that as she was a casual employee she was not eligible for parental leave and her employment had ended when she took time off to have her baby.

The case will return to the Federal Circuit Court for a final mention in May.

A Seven spokesman said, “We are pleased this has been amicably resolved and wish Talitha all the best.”