Bullying and harassment allegations levelled against Virgin Australia boss Jane Hrdlicka

Bombshell allegations of workplace bullying and harassment have been levelled against Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka in court documents by the airline’s former chief pilot.

Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka is facing serious allegations of bullying and harassment by her former chief pilot.

Allegations of bullying and harassment have been levelled against Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka by the airline’s former chief pilot.

In court documents obtained by The Australian, it is alleged Ms Hrdlicka “engaged in workplace bullying” against Michael Fitzgerald, the former chief pilot and general manager of flight operations.

Captain Fitzgerald outlined the allegations in documents filed to the Federal Circuit Court on Tuesday, claiming Virgin Australia “bullied and threatened” and raised “false claims” of alleged misconduct that were withdrawn following his dismissal in March.

In a statement provided to The Australian, Virgin Australia said Captain Fitzgerald’s employment was terminated “following multiple independent ­assessments of his fitness to work”.

Before his dismissal, Virgin Australia had supported Captain Fitzgerald during a seven-month period of paid absence, the airline said. “The allegations against ­Virgin Australia’s CEO were raised on December 24, 2021, ­investigated by an external party in January 2022, and were not substantiated,” the airline said.

Ms Hrdlicka is not a respondent in the proceedings.

Former VA chief pilot Michael Fitzgerald. Picture: LinkedIn

The court documents allege the 30-year veteran of the aviation industry was forced to seek medical advice in July 2021 and subsequently went on leave.

Three months later, Captain Fitzgerald was allegedly told by the airline’s chief operating officer, Stuart Aggs, that “the CEO (Ms Hrdlicka) had lost con­fidence” in him and “it would be better for everyone if he didn’t ­return to his role and moved on”.

The airline told The Australian Mr Aggs “was ­responsible for making all decisions in relation to Mr Fitzgerald’s employment” and that Captain Fitzgerald met Ms Hrdlicka on a one-on-one basis only twice “as part of a professional development initiative to support the improvement of his performance”.

Court documents say Captain Fitzgerald was sent ­redun­dancy options via text message six days later, on October 25 last year; two months later, an “application for an order to stop bullying” was filed with the Fair Work Commission.

Virgin Australia then filed a show-cause notice, alleging IT ­security breaches in February 2022 and threatened his dismissal.

“(Captain Fitzgerald) claims that he was further bullied and threatened with show-cause proceedings on 25 February, 2022,” the documents state.

“There were in fact no security breaches. (Captain Fitzgerald) merely sourced non-confidential emails addressed to him in compliance with FWC directions to file all materials and documents.”

One hour and 25 minutes prior to a directions hearing before the Fair Work Commission on March 1, Captain Fitzgerald states, he was terminated. “(Virgin Australia) ­injured (Captain Fitzgerald) in his employment, namely by continuing to bully and threaten him, and by raising false claims of alleged misconduct, which (the airline) withdrew/discarded on 1 March, 2022,” documents state.

Captain Fitzgerald said he was discriminated against on the grounds of his impairment – which he states is a mental health injury caused by Ms Hrdlicka’s “bullying and harassment”.

The matter will be heard in court on 13 June. Captain Fitzgerald is seeking ­reinstatement.