Jackie O Files $82M Wrongful Termination Suit Against KIIS Radio
Jackie 'O' Henderson has initiated a legal action in the federal court, demanding compensation of at least $82,250,000 for the wrongful termination of her 10-year contract with KIIS radio. The lawsuit targets the licence holder of the station, where she co-hosted a highly successful show with Kyle Sandilands.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The legal proceedings come just four weeks after ARN Media, the owner of KIIS, terminated Henderson's contract. This action follows closely on the heels of Sandilands' own federal court hearing against the media company. On March 3, ARN announced the immediate removal of the duo's breakfast show from the airwaves, citing Henderson's claim that she could no longer work with her on-air partner of 25 years.
In a statement to the ASX, ARN Media confirmed that Henderson's Fair Work claim alleges the termination constituted adverse action. The statement detailed that Henderson complained to ARN about Sandilands allegedly bullying her, with incidents reported on February 20 and prior to an on-air event that led to her departure from the show.
Details of the Allegations
On February 20, Sandilands mocked Henderson's interest in astrology, prompting a distressed-sounding Henderson to leave the studio and not return. Henderson raised concerns about her psychosocial health and safety while working with Sandilands, as outlined in the ASX statement.
The legal claim asserts that terminating her contract after she made bullying complaints violates the Fair Work Act. Specifically, it alleges that the complaint letter involved the exercise or proposal to exercise workplace rights, and the contract was terminated because of that, in contravention of section 340 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Additionally, the lawsuit accuses ARN's March 3 announcement of including misleading and deceptive statements under the Australian Consumer Law. ARN has stated it disputes these claims and will defend the proceedings in court.
Company Response and Further Developments
The proceedings have been filed against Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a subsidiary of ARN that holds the licence for KIIS 106.5 Sydney. Sandilands has been approached for comment but has not yet responded publicly.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in the Australian media industry, particularly around workplace relations and contract disputes. It underscores the legal protections available to employees under the Fair Work Act and the potential consequences for companies facing allegations of wrongful termination.
As the situation unfolds, it will be closely watched by industry observers and legal experts, given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the substantial financial stakes. The outcome could set precedents for similar cases in the future, affecting how media companies handle internal disputes and employee complaints.
