Lorna Jane fights ‘fat-shaming’ workplace bullying lawsuit

LORNA Jane denies bullying an employee who claims she was “fat shamed”, and says she should return to work, as their $548,000 legal battle gathers steam.

Lorna Jane opens the Gold Coast’s first Active Living Room at Coolangatta’s The Strand. Pic supplied by PR for We Love in Gold Coast Eye

FITNESS label Lorna Jane has denied that it “fat shamed” a store manager who claims to be too traumatised to return to work.

Amy Louise Robinson filed a $548,000 legal claim against the fitness retailer in Brisbane last month, claiming management tried to cover up the bullying and harassment she allegedly suffered from other staff.

But the gym wear retailer has hit back in a defence filed in the District Court, rejecting Ms Robinson’s claim that she is too unwell to return to work, the Courier Mailhas revealed.

The company argues that Ms Robinson, 39, has failed to return to work without a valid excuse, rejecting her claims it is responsible for her mental disorder and incapacitating haemorrhoids.

Ms Robinson, who is a size 14, seeks compensation for pain and suffering over “offensive and demeaning remarks” about her weight.

Shine Lawyers’ Kimberley Allen told AAP her client had been targeted over her weight by another employee during a six-month stint at the Brisbane Airport DFO store from July 2012.

“Not only did management ignore the bullying and allow Amy’s suffering to be prolonged, we allege that they actively covered it up,” Ms Allen said.

Receptionists working for Lorna Jane sometimes double as fitting models.

She said Ms Robinson had been forced to work long hours and quizzed about her health and exercise regimen to make sure she fit the “move, nourish, believe” mantra.

“I’m a mum with kids, and a senior staff member would constantly suggest I skip lunch, or make offhand comments about my lifestyle choices,” Ms Robinson told the Courier Mail.

“(Some staff) would often skip meals and live on coffee, and (they) tried to encourage us to do the same thing.”

The company had advertised online for a “receptionist/fit model” to complete administrative duties as well as help the design team fit sample size garments, provoking an angry reaction from online readers.

Founder Lorna Jane Clarkson dismissed the furore over the job ad, saying claims that all Lorna Jane staff were slim and attractive were “crazy”.

Meanwhile, the company has also been forced to defend claims it ripped off a Brisbane teen’s Instagram photo for its latest range of T-shirts.