Netflix denies allegation it ‘dissolved’ woman’s job while on maternity leave

A Netflix senior manager is suing the streaming giant over allegations the company dissolved her job while she was on maternity leave.

A senior Netflix manager is suing the streaming giant over allegations the company dissolved her job while she was on maternity leave.

The case was heard in the Federal Court on Friday with Vanessa Hughes claiming the company was “restructuring” and her role would be eliminated.

Ms Hughes claims she was then told none of the new roles created in the restructure would suit her.

Vanessa Hughes went on parental leave on September 2023. Picture: LinkedIn

Netflix has now defended her claims in court documents seen by news.com.au, saying that Ms Hughes was told she would be again considered for redeployed once she returned from maternity leave.

“The Applicant’s position was made redundant,” Netflix’s response states, which was filed into the court on Friday.

“The decision to make the Applicant’s position redundant was made for legitimate business reasons and was not made for the reasons alleged by the Applicant.”

Ms Hughes is seeking compensation for economic loss and general damages. Picture: iStock

In its response, Netflix also raised several “concerns” regarding Ms Hughes’ performance, which resulted in her not being chosen for the new roles post-restructure.

“These issues included ongoing failures to share relevant information with stakeholders in a timely manner, take on and adapt to feedback from such stakeholders, act proactively, lead the marketing function effectively as a decision-maker and provide value input as a decision-maker,” the documents state.

The company said it considered Ms Hughes for the new roles but made an “initial assessment” she did not have the required “skills and expertise” and that other employees also affected by redundancies were more suitable.

Ms Hughes’ lawyer Mia Pantechis told news.com.au she denied the concerns and noted that her client received a ten per cent pay rise at the end of 2022.

“Netflix’s response to the proceeding highlights that Ms Hughes was not given genuine or equal consideration for roles because she was on parental leave and exercised her rights,” Ms Pantechis said.

“There are vacant roles now which she has the skills and experience to perform, and would have a legal right to return to if her parental leave was at an end. Ms Hughes alleges that the timing of the restructure is designed to deny her of that return to work guarantee.”

Ms Hughes is seeking a declaration from Netflix that it contravened the Fair Work act through its actions, and that it pays compensation for economic loss and general damages to her.

A giant Squid Games doll was placed at Circular Quay as part of a marketing campaign for the series. Picture: Netflix

Ms Hughes’ LinkedIn says she also led a campaign which saw a ‘portal to the Upside Down’ installed at Bondi Beach. Picture: Supplied

Before the restructure, Ms Hughes was working as a film & series marketing manager for the streamer’s Australia and New Zealand team, and was responsible for leading marketing campaigns for shows and films produced or screened by Netflix.

According to her LinkedIn, Ms Hughes led the marketing campaign that saw a giant Squid Game doll placed at Circular Quay. She also led an activation for the series Stranger Things at Bondi Beach.