Oil Search sued for damages over bullying in NSW Supreme Court by former executive Ayten Saridas
The woman in line to become Oil Search’s chief financial officer has filed damages for mental anguish, distress and physical injury during her short tenure.
Oil Search has been sued by its former finance boss with the gas giant's top executives accused of bullying, physical and psychological intimidation and harassment.
Ayten Saridas left the company on December 1 after just three months in the role as chief finance designate, which allegedly included a shouting match with Oil Search’s then chief executive, Keiran Wulff.
Ms Saridas filed a statement of claim in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday demanding damages for mental anguish and distress and physical injury due to psychological strains along with costs following an alleged breach of her employment conditions.
She claims she was subjected to “bullying, intimidatory conduct, both physical and psychological, harassment, belittlement and disrespectful conduct at the hands” of Mr Wulff and ex-chief financial officer Stephen Gardiner.
Oil Search said it denied the claims and will be “fully defending” the lawsuit.
“We can confirm that we have been served with a claim by Ms Saridas. Oil Search denies the claims made by Ms Saridas and will be fully defending the matter, when it comes before the Court. Otherwise it is not appropriate to comment on matters which will be the subject of evidence and consideration by the Court,” an Oil Search spokesman said.
The bombshell lawsuit has landed at a delicate time for Oil Search as it works to sell its $21bn merger with Santos to shareholders, ahead of a critical vote on December 7 that requires 75 per cent approval to get a deal over the line.
With an independent expert raising concern the company could be handed over too cheaply to its major oil and gas rival, Oil Search approached Santos over boosting its share of the mega deal, The Australian reported, but was rebuffed by its South Australian suitor.
Just weeks prior to her exit, Ms Saridas sent a letter to chairman Rick Lee saying her position had become untenable.
“Unfortunately there has been a number of events, circumstances, statements and behaviours which I have found disturbing and unacceptable, not only in relation to me, but also others. I have been treated with disrespect, belittled in front of others, lied to about certain events and bullied by the CEO and the incumbent CFO. These actions have made me feel intimidated, disrespected and has substantially undermined my ability to transition into the CFO role,” Ms Saridas said in her letter to Mr Lee dated November 12, 2020.
“Of greatest concern is that we do not have a safe environment to call out poor behaviours by the CEO or others, which are in direct breach of our values and code of conduct. This has created an unhealthy workplace that is affecting me and others both personally and professionally.”
Mr Wulff abruptly resigned from the Papua New Guinea LNG producer on July 19 following issues raised over bullying including a whistleblower complaint in mid-June, sparking an investigation which found evidence of inappropriate behaviour.
Sources told The Australian in August the internal whistleblower included in their complaint fears that Mr Wulff’s tight relationship with Mr Lee may prejudice any probe into the issues while also accusing the chairman of acting as a de facto executive.
Ms Saridas said she was concerned about Oil Search’s balance sheet but failed to get a fair hearing by executives at the company.
“My early assessment on the balance sheet was that critical and urgent actions needed to be taken by the company to address the substantial risks that had not been communicated or addressed with the Board fulsomely. However, when I aired my views with the CEO and the incumbent CFO, they dismissed my professional assessment, undermined my expertise and belittled me both privately and publicly,” the letter stated.
“My assessment of the actions that needed to be undertaken has since been endorsed and supported by independent financial advisors. These events have weighed on me tremendously over the past few months and has adversely affected my health and wellbeing.”
Ms Saridas also aired concern over the chairman’s comments to analysts that Mr Wulff’s behavioural issues were unrelated to her departure.
“This statement was egregiously untrue, as the conduct of Wulff was central to the plaintiff’s departure,” the claim stated.
A statement by former Oil Search investor relations head, Ann Diamant, who described Ms Saridas’ appointment as “disastrous” and an individual who “had to go” was also egregiously false, according to the court document.
The legal battle is set down for a directions hearing on February 2, 2022.