Seven boss Tim Worner’s affair with staffer exposed as legal battle rages over payments
Seven West Media paid a six figure settlement to a former member of staff who had an affair with CEO Tim Worner, it has been claimed.
The payment to former executive assistant Amber Harrison, which was accompanied with an apology, emerged after details were sent to media outlets including Mumbrella.
Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner apologised for his conduct
News of the affair and a subsequent battle over payments broke over the weekend after a salacious and detailed email from the former EA to SWM’s Pacific Magazines former boss Nick Chan was widely circulated among journalists.
Seven confirmed a payment out of sympathy was made to the executive assistant, and that Worner, who is married, had apologised for his conduct.
Harrison, who was Chan’s EA, said in the email that she and Worner began the affair in December of 2012, meeting frequently at her apartment as well as at Seven West Media conferences and events such as The Australian Open Tennis.
“I knew he was married. It was never about love, it was about sex and power,” Harrison said.
The relationship began to unravel after PacMags’ management operations were transferred to SWM’s Pyrmont headquarters at the end of 2013 and Harrison found herself having to deal with Worner in the workplace on a regular basis. The tension resulted in her claiming to have had an emotional breakdown.
In July of 2014 Harrison was informed she was being investigated by the company over allegations of credit card misuse.
The investigation resulted in her termination, leading to a battle between Harrison and Seven with Harrison retaining legal counsel to fight the allegations.
Harrison claims she was able to account for most of the disputed credit card expenditure. “Seven have backed me into a corner and I can’t get out of it but I refuse to be bullied and intimidated,” she claimed.
Seven has declined to comment on the allegations about its conduct towards Harrison, alleged in the email, but it is believed to be contesting her claims.
So, Ms Harrison it was about sex and power for Mr Worner. What was it about for you? True love? Altruism?
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What has he done wrong that cannot be just categorised as an extra marital affair. That’s something for him, Ms Harrison and his family to sort. While not condoning his actions, what business of SWM is it? Life’s hard. People make mistakes. He’s apologised.
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She was paid $100,000 hush money and now is talking, I suggest Seven take her to court to get the hush money back. As a share holder I suggest they start a recovery immediately, as shareholders we demand it!
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