Legal stoushes see UM accused of sexual discrimination and Seven exec Boland seeking exit
Before the court battle between James Warburton and former employer the Seven Network has even been resolved, the media and marketing industry is set for two more big employment cases.
Over the easter break, it was revealed by The Australian that Adam Boland, the former executive producer of Seven’s Sunrise, is also involved in legal action to be released from his contract with the network.
And media agency Universal McCann, now rebadged as UM, is being sued by former GM Jennifer Davidson. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Davidson’s complaint relates to her being made redundant after maternity leave and allegedly being refused permission to return part time.
Boland is seeking to be released from a two-day-a-week contract with Seven which came into force after he stepped down from the helm of Sunrise and The Morning Show.
This really annoyes me re: Part timers.
So many women have children then want to come back part time. And thats great, priorities change. But the role you did before you left doesnt. If it took 5 days a week to do before it does not all of a sudden become a 3 or 4 day a week role.
Why should the company (and other staff) then be required to carry the burden of picking up the slack?
Will probably get totally shouted down for this comment, but this is a commercial fact of life.
In my experience as a senior manager, because part time working parents have less time in the office they are far more efficient at time management and prioritization than full-time staff members. From the moment they get to the office till the moment they leave they are generally head down churning through the work. Unfortunately, because of this unfair stigma; and in some cases prejudice, they often feel more pressured than full-time staff. Effectively, the bottom line is they more often than not deliver more for less remuneration.
(Edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons)
Dear “not sexist, a realist”
Your comments could not be further from the truth.
It’s this exact attitude that make working mums feel inadequate….. and usually one that comes from men or, those baron media wenches who’ll never have a life outside of media!
I’ve worked with plenty of mums who put more effort and pride into their work than those without kids. That’s a fact.
Perhaps one day if you’re fortunate enough to have kids of your own you’ll gain a more in depth understanding and appreciation for those slack working mums out there!