‘Boys club’ culture at Domain before Antony Catalano resignation: report

A MANAGER at Domain Holdings complained that some women were allegedly belittled at the company shortly before its chief Antony Catalano’s shock resignation, it has been reported.

Former Domain Holdings chief Antony Catalano. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

A MANAGER at Domain Holdings complained about the “boys club” culture at the listed company shortly before its chief Antony Catalano’s shock resignation in January, it has been reported.

A male manager formally complained to the human resources department that some women were called “doll” and “babe” and “subjected to behaviour that’s nothing short of bullying”, the Australian Financial Review is reporting.

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Antony Catalano in Sorrento shortly after he resigned. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“It’s like working in an office in the 1980s. I recently witnessed a disgraceful display of such in a meeting where, when questions were asked about why a certain event was taking place, my [female] boss was yelled at, belittled and spoken to in a completely unprofessional way,” the AFR is reporting the man as saying.

“In no uncertain terms, it is a total ‘boys club’ in Melbourne,” the male manager wrote in late December.

“I have witnessed female colleagues made to feel uncomfortable because of names like ‘doll’, ‘babe’ and subjected to behaviour that’s nothing short of bullying,” the man is reported to have complained.

“Others in my team report men telling them to ‘smile’, being ‘perved at’ and being objectified,” the manager is reported to have said.

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A spokeswoman for Fairfax told the AFR that she wouldn’t say if the complaint played any role in Mr Catalano’s resignation.

The AFR also reports one senior Domain employee saying:

“In Melbourne, several people have left due to the ‘boys club, culture and I know there are problems with bullying in the sales team.”

Catalano with his wife Stefanie on Derby Day. Picture: Aaron Francis

That employee told the AFR that no sexual harassment had been reported against Mr Catalano or his executives.

According to the AFR after giving a rousing speech and mixing with staff, Mr Catalano and several executives kicked on after Domain’s Christmas party at Prahran’s Emerson Hotel going to a hotel nearby that had been rented.

The Herald Sun has reported that high-powered class action lawyers are keeping a “watchful eye” on Domain after the shock exit of its chief Antony Catalano two weeks ago sparked a plunge in the company’s value.

The resignation of Mr ­Catalano only two months after listing with shareholders shocked the real estate and media sectors as he was the brash executive identified with the company’s rise.

It is also believed the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is keeping an eye on the matter.

Catalano, with Alex Waislitz and Jon Adgemis in the Lexus marquee on Derby Day last year. Picture: Aaron Francis

Asked at the time if the sudden departure only eight weeks after it hit the Australian share market could lead to a class action, law firm William Roberts Lawyers said it was watching the situation.

“(We are) aware of the recent announcements associated with Domain Holdings, together with the price movements,” the firm said in a statement.

“We are keeping a watchful eye on the company.”

It is believed Mr Catalano only revealed the decision to the board after he came back from his Christmas break and it quickly moved to tell the market.

But the surprise exit, only eight weeks after the company listed, has angered some ­investors.

The nation’s peak mum-and-dad shareholder group, the Australian Shareholders Association, said the controversy raised questions about why these discussions did not occur at the time of the float.

Fairfax took full control of Mr Catalano’s Metro Media in 2015 in a $72 million deal that saw his company rolled into Domain.

The media company in February last year revealed ­Domain would be spun out with Fairfax shareholders being given one Domain share for each 10 shares they held.

When he resigned, the 50-year-old Mr Catalano — who has eight children from three marriages — said if he remained in the top job it would put pressure on his young family.