Jackie O left ‘psychologically unwell, humiliated’ by Sandilands’ alleged bullying

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson was left “psychologically unwell, defamed and humiliated” as a result of consistent and ongoing bullying at the hands of Kyle Sandilands, a letter from her lawyers alleged in new documents filed to the Federal Court.

The company failed in its duty of care by exposing her to Sandilands’ conduct over a prolonged period and that as a result, she could no longer work with him, the letter alleged.

But despite the claims, ARN said Henderson declined to help facilitate the company’s attempts to investigate bullying complaints made against Sandilands dating back to September, and her manager later told the company the issue was resolved.

Details of the explosive letter sent by Henderson and her lawyers the day after the now-infamous February 20 on-air blow up, which formed the basis of ARN’s decision to axe her contract, have now been revealed for the first time in ARN’s defence, filed to the Federal Court late on Tuesday amid dual unfair dismissal suits lodged by both Henderson and Sandilands.

Both Sandilands and Henderson are suing their former network after it tore up their contracts, which were worth a combined $200 million over 10 years, in two stages in March.

Henderson is alleged to have asserted she was the subject of “systemic and ongoing patterns of bullying and disrespectful behaviour”, according to the documents.

“The mere fact that this behaviour is frequent and has been continuing for a prolonged period of time also goes to demonstrate that the Group has not taken the required action to act in compliance with its obligations to provide a safe place of work,” the letter said.

“The simple fact is that our client has been attacked and bullied on live prime-time radio. There is evidence that she has endured persistent and relentless bullying by Mr Sandilands well before the 20 February 2026 incident which despite numerous opportunities, the Group has failed to adequately address both at law and ethically.”

ARN’s lawyers also said the February 20 incident was not isolated or accidental, but part of “a persistent course of workplace bullying and harassment of Ms Henderson” that she “had complained” about, and which added to the wider accusation of serious misconduct against Sandilands, leading to his ultimate dismissal. The company said the February 20 incident alone amounted to serious misconduct.

The incident, and Sandilands’ conduct, “affected or compromised” their existing services agreement by causing “serious and imminent injury to CBC’s business”. Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is the licence holder for KIIS FM – the company which engaged both Sandilands and Henderson through their services agreements, and where the show was broadcast.

ARN’s defence alleges that Sandilands had “repeatedly bullied” Jackie ‘O’ Henderson in the workplace before their partnership disintegrated on live radio in February, telling his co-star to “get your f—ing shit together” following another on-air dispute in September 2025.

Sandilands is alleged to have told Henderson he had carried the show by himself for more than a year during the verbal conflict which allegedly escalated off-air.

“Don’t f—ing bother coming back until you’ve got your f—ing shit together like a normal person. I’ve been carrying the whole show for a f—ing year … I’m just left here with a limp d-ck in my hand,” Sandilands allegedly said according to the documents.

“Kyle, that’s a bit rough. Like, f—en hell, I haven’t done anything to cop it,” Henderson said following the spray from Sandilands, who said he had repeatedly tried to bring up her lack of engagement and “rescue the show”.

“Too bad if it’s rough, that’s what I’ve been dealing with you for the last 12 months. Not interested. Not connected,” Sandilands said.

“You wanna know the truth, here’s the truth. Today’s the first day you’ve ever paid any attention or had to carry anything in the opener, and it’s all shit,” Sandilands said, according to the documents.

ARN alleges that after complaints made about Sandilands in mid-September, and after the company tried to follow up on those complaints, Henderson’s manager Gemma O’Neill told KIIS station manager Derek Bargwanna that no further action was required.

The radio network has defended its decision to axe both stars in the series of documents, arguing that Sandilands had destroyed his relationship with Henderson and that he had breached his contract through a persistent course of workplace bullying and harassment of Henderson. It said that Sandilands breached its own work, health and safety policies, code of conduct and respect in the workplace policies. It also alleges his actions toward Henderson in February breached the NSW Workplace Health and Safety Act.

Filed earlier this month, Henderson’s own statement of claim documented two alleged separate incidents when she had complained about Sandilands’ behaviour towards her after broadcasts in August and September, during which he is alleged to have berated her similarly to that on February 20 this year.

Henderson is demanding more than $82 million, claiming the station breached workplace rules by effectively retaliating against her after she exercised her rights to complain about Sandilands. The company has asserted that its services agreement with Henderson demanded she co-host a show with Sandilands, and that by refusing to work with him, she was in breach of that contract.

Both Henderson and Sandilands are suing ARN for allegedly improperly tearing up their contracts, with their combined claims totalling more than $160 million. Both cases will be heard in the Federal Court on Friday in dual case management hearings.