Fremantle’s off field turmoil continues after HR head made redundant

Fremantle has made redundant the head of its human resources, who handled the sexual harassment complaint against Ross Lyon.

Fremantle has made redundant the head of its human resources, who handled the sexual harassment complaint against Ross Lyon.

Nicole Horrocks has left the club after eight years, with the club denying that Ms Horrocks was involved in a disagreement about how to handle a staff matter in recent weeks.

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She left the club on Wednesday and the club “went into damage control,” a source said.

It was expected that Ms Horrocks would be forced to sign a confidentiality agreement as part of her redundancy package.

A former insider said on Thursday: “It’s amazing how many good people have left.”

The club sent out a statement on Thursday, confirming Ms Horrocks’ departure.

It also released that David Pitts, the former general manager of business operations, left last month.

“General manager of human resources Nicole Horrocks has departed the club after almost eight years of service, with the role being made redundant,” the statement said.

Fremantle Dockers head coach Ross Lyon. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty

Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said the departures were part of a “planned administration team restructure.”

“Undertaking a restructure of our administration team provides us with the opportunity to ensure that we are best placed to serve our members, supporters and stakeholders for the future,” he said.

“On behalf of everyone at Fremantle, I want to acknowledge the significant contribution Nicole and David both made to Fremantle during their time at the club.”

Ross Lyon, club president Dale Alcock, centre, and Steve Rosich, right. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Ms Horrocks was general manager of human resources at Fremantle for the past three years.

Before that she was the club’s HR manager for five years.

She has also been a board member at the WA Sports Federation for the past two years.

Ms Horrocks was involved in the handling of a sexual harassment complaint against Lyon.

She was in the room several years ago when a young employee complained about the way she was allegedly treated by Lyon at a club function, including referring to her “budding boobs”.

The junior staff member who complained was pregnant at the time.

The woman left the club but came forward again last year with evidence of her complaint.

An AFL investigation into the incident exonerated Lyon and found no sanctions were necessary.

Fremantle paid out more than $100,000 to the woman earlier this year, which the club said was to resolve an employment dispute.

The Herald Sun sent a list of questions to Fremantle, including whether Ms Horrocks had a dispute with Lyon before her departure, whether the club had any other female executives, and what the club thought of her handling of the Lyon complaint.

A club spokesman said: “There was no dispute. There was no disagreement over staff.”