Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Radio host Jackie “O” Henderson has launched legal proceedings against KIIS FM, claiming she is owed at least $82m following her sacking.
In a statement to the ASX on Tuesday, ARN Media said that Henderson was following in the footsteps of her former colleague co-host Kyle Sandilands in suing the network.
Henderson is alleging that her termination — which came in the wake of an on-air blow up with Sandilands — represented adverse action.
According to the statement, Henderson sent a “complaint letter” to KIIS’s parent company saying she “cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands” and made psychosocial, health and safety and bullying complaints.
The company said that Henderson alleged she was sacked because she exercised her workplace rights.
Henderson is claiming compensation of “at least” $82m, payment of a pecuniary penalty, as well as interest and costs.
According to the statement, the proceedings have been filed in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, an ARN subsidiary.
ARN said it intended to fight the lawsuit.
“ARN disputes the claims,” the company said in a statement.
“It intends to defend the proceedings.
“Given the early stage of the matter, ARN is unable to reliably estimate the outcome or any potential financial impact.”
Sandilands has also launched action in the Federal Court, claiming unlawful termination after his $100m, 10-year contract was ripped up.
Sandilands’ contract was torn up in the wake of an on-air blow up with Henderson in February, during which he told her she was “off with the fairies”.
Henderson left mid-show, telling Sandilands she would “never say things like that” about him.
Sandilands’ contract was terminated shortly afterwards.
The Federal Court was told last week that Sandilands is seeking immediate reinstatement, as his lawyers asked for an expedited hearing.
Court documents tendered on behalf of Sandilands argue he often played the role of the “dominant and abrasive personality” on the Kyle and Jackie O Show, and that his comments to his co-host were “congruent” with the “robust character” that the network ‘desired”.
“Mr Sandilands generally performed the role of the dominant and abrasive personality who was deliberately outrageous and often offensive, whilst Ms Henderson played a moderating role as a warmer and more emotionally attuned character,” the documents say.
Henderson’s $100m contract was axed by ARN after she told her bosses she could no longer work with Sandilands.
The court was told last week that Sandilands was seeking to be put back on air.
