Sacked Channel 9 journalist Amanda Paterson fights for job in unfair dismissal claim
A senior Brisbane media figure accused of making an inappropriate comment about network “dickheads” as she was sacked late last year is fighting to get her job back.
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Nine Entertainment’s former Queensland News boss has had her complaint of unfair sacking mentioned for the first time in the Fair Work Commission.
Amanda Paterson’s case against Nine Entertainment Co Pty Ltd and ex boss Fiona Dear was listed for an in-chambers hearing in Brisbane before Nicholas Lake, a deputy president of the FWC.
Ms Paterson, who was not at the FWC for the hearing, has accused Ms Dear, Nine’s director of news and current affairs, of unlawfully sacking her on November 7.
Paterson, who worked at the TV network for more than 30 years including a stint as a reporter with nightly tabloid show A Current Affair, alleges the media company unfairly used the anonymous findings of its cultural report released on October 17 to terminate her.
The Fair Work claim alleges Paterson was told her failure to complete workplace training modules, the handling of a contract extension of one of a staffer who reported to her at the network, and an inappropriate remark made in an address to staff at a ratings party about Nine getting “rid of all the dickheads” amounted to serious misconduct.
She is seeking unspecified damages and her job back as boss of newsrooms in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Darwin.
Brendan Hockings has been appointed by Dear as Ms Paterson’s replacement.
Ms Paterson claims the reference to “dickheads” was a lighthearted reference.
Nine’s Brisbane employees were called into a last-minute meeting on November 7 and were told it would be Ms Paterson’s final day without further explanation.
The cultural report uncovered a culture of bullying and sexual harassment at Nine, and made 22 recommendations to address the media company’s various workplace issues.
Ms Paterson is represented by workplace lawyer John Laxon.
The Courier-Mail has contacted Mr Laxon for comment.
Originally published as Sacked Channel 9 journalist Amanda Paterson fights for job in unfair dismissal claim
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