‘Devastating’: Top Woolworths exec sues after 100-hour work weeks, cancer diagnosis
A senior Woolies exec is suing the supermarket, alleging she was hospitalised and diagnosed with cancer after being subjected to 100-hour-plus work weeks.
A senior Woolworths executive is suing the supermarket chain in federal court, alleging she was hospitalised after being subjected to 100-hour-plus work weeks — before being passed over for promotion due to a cancer diagnosis.
Miwah Van, chief growth officer at Woolworths Group, alleges she was in line to become chief executive of Woolworths New Zealand and later potentially the top job before her career track was derailed by health issues.
She attributes this to “relentless workloads” from 2019 to 2021, averaging 86.5 hour weeks and many exceeding 100 hours.
This “extreme overwork” led to multiple hospitalisations, including episodes of unexplained swelling, temporary loss of vision and a suspected mild stroke.
In March 2022, at the age of 39, Ms Van was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer, an aggressive variant.
“A caring and compassionate employer would have been there to support her, but that wasn’t to be,” Harmers Workplace Lawyers said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Despite receiving this devastating diagnosis, she continued to be significantly overworked, and was ultimately discriminated against because of her cancer. She was removed from key internal senior executive groups, without consultation and directed to attend important meetings remotely.”
According to her claim, Ms Van had been promised on numerous occasions a significant promotion to chief transformation officer (CTO).
But despite maintaining an “exceed” performance rating, she was denied the CTO role shortly after her cancer surgery.
Then-Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci allegedly explicitly linked the decision not to offer her the CTO role to her cancer diagnosis, telling her “this is the moment … where you must behave appropriately” and also that the cancer diagnosis was “awkward”, Ms Van alleges.
The claim further states that Ms Van continued to be overworked even after her cancer treatment.
Between February and May 2023, while still undergoing chemotherapy, she alleges she was burdened with others’ workload and stripped of resources.
She alleges that when she raised concerns, then-CTO Jane Danziger’s response was “I know it’s not ideal and puts strain on your team”.
After five consecutive weeks averaging 107 hours of work, Ms Van was hospitalised for three days with serious health complications, she alleges.
“No one should be penalised or diminished because of their health, disability or a cancer diagnosis,” Ms Van said in a statement.
“Facing a life-threatening illness is already an uphill battle, but to also experience discrimination, retaliation and marginalisation in the workplace is devastating. I raised my concerns through the proper channels, but instead of support, I was met with impossible demands and the loss of my career.
“I am bringing this case not just for myself, but for every employee who deserves dignity, fairness, and respect — no matter their health status or disability.”
The claim size is expected to be large given her senior role, career impact and the alleged significant harm imposed by Woolworths.
Woolworths confirmed it was “defending a claim filed in the Federal Court of Australia by Miwah Van, a senior executive in the group”.
“Ms Van is currently on leave from Woolworths Group,” a spokesman said. “Given the matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate to provide any further comment.”
Mr Banducci stepped down as CEO of Woolworths Group in September 2024.
In March this year he became CEO of TEG, the parent company of Ticketek.
Mr Banducci has been contacted for comment.
The case is listed for a case management hearing on November 28. Woolworths had not yet filed a defence.
