“This is humiliating me”: 7:30 reveals audio of Seven cadet suspension

ABC’s 7:30 has broadcast audio of a phone conference in which former Seven cadet reporter Amy Taeuber was ordered to leave Seven premises immediately after allegations were made against her by a Seven staffer.

Taeuber, 27, had made complaints about sexual harassment by a male colleague but claimed the tables were turned on her instead.

In the audio Taeuber is presented with written allegations made against her, by persons unknown, and suspended from work. An HR manager instructs her to hand over her phone, not to use her computer and exit the building immediately.

“So, no touching the IT. Back to the desk, get your handbag, straight out of the building,” she says.

When Taeuber asks who has made allegations against her the HR manager told her to “put it in writing” and refused to engage with any further questions. But the cadet said she felt “very victimised, to be honest”.

“I’ve worked so hard to get this job and I know people are just trying to get rid of me now and it’s just really upsetting,” Taeuber said.

“I don’t really deserve any of this for standing up and having a problem with someone calling me a lesbian.”

According to ABC, Seven alleged she had bullied her friend, cadet Peter Fegan, in emails. But 7:30 revealed he had not made a complaint about her, and described them as workplace pranks.

Sister Kate Taeuber told ABC, “He went straight to his news director and human resources and said, ‘You know this is ridiculous. I don’t understand why my name is being involved. I’ve never made any complaints about Amy, she’s my friend. I want my name taken off it.’

“And [Seven] just said, Sorry, it’s none of your business’.”

Last night former Seven Adelaide news director Terry Plane described Amy Taeuber as a gun reporter.

“She was a real chaser. She was dogged, she was persistent …really, what every news director likes,” he said.

The audio also revealed Taeuber was not allowed a support person during her phone conference with Seven Human Resources with Chief of Staff Lesley Johns instructed to leave the room.

“OK. It’s really disappointing. She’s a cadet who is—” Ms Johns said

“Lesley, if you want to talk to me about this matter, we can do it at another time, but it’s not appropriate at this stage,” the human resources manager said.

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance spokeswoman Katelin McInerney told ABC staff should be made aware of allegations against them before meetings of this nature.

“And certainly [they] should be provided at that time, with the opportunity to bring in a support person or contact [their] union for further advice,” she said.

“Certainly it does seem there have been breaches in this matter and that this cadet was not treated with the same rights that she is afforded under her enterprise agreement and under the Fair Work Act.”

During the meeting Taeuber insisted, “I feel like this is humiliating me.

“For making a complaint in the first place, and it’s really disgusting.

“This is disgusting. I’ve done nothing wrong.

“I’ve not done any of this and I’m requesting to have the statement of the person who made these allegations.”

But the human resources manager replied, “OK, so how do we want to plan your exit, Amy? I do understand that we don’t want to make it humiliating for you.”

Taueber settled her claim with Seven in February and avoided a public trial, entering into a confidential settlement after she hired profile lawyer John Laxon.

7:30‘s audio again raises questions about workplace culture within Seven following the headlines surrounding CEO Tim Worner’s affair with former executive assistant Amber Harrison.

Updated: Seven has now issued a longer statement as follows:

Amy Taeuber and Seven entered into confidential settlement deed earlier this year.  Because it is confidential, we cannot disclose its terms. It was comprehensive in terms of all allegations and claims.

On the processes involved:

1. Amy was not sacked because she made a complaint about anyone.
2. Her complaint was fully investigated and resolved.  A public apology was issued by the person and he now works another newsroom.  Seven has policies in place on appropriate workplace behaviour.
3. Amy was not sacked during the telephone call which she recorded and which was broadcast on 730 last night as the ABC has suggested. She was suspended and given a chance to respond to the allegations.  It is customary practice that employees under investigation be suspended.
4. Following that telephone call, allegations about Amy’s conduct were fairly put to her in writing and she was asked to respond in writing and stood down during the interim to allow her time to do that.
5. Amy immediately sought legal advice and was represented throughout by her lawyers.
6. Amy responded to the allegations through her lawyers.  Meetings were held and letters were written.
7. Amy’s employment was eventually terminated 2 months later after taking into account the responses which were given.

There was an investigation into alleged breaches of Amy Taeuber’s employment contract.

Seven’s HR team did not try to build any case against her and their investigation was not related to any complaint made by Amy about other staff.  

The program broadcast on 7.30 on Monday night on the ABC was neither accurate nor balanced. The allegations aired were not put to Seven for reply.

Had they been, Seven would have made clear that the termination of employment was made pursuant to a breach of contract, and the former employee was represented by two successive firms of lawyers and the union.

It is untrue to say that she was not represented. The matter proceeded to mediation, where she was again represented, culminating in a deed of release which contained a confidentiality provision. 

We are surprised by the allegations six months after the signing of a mutual agreement and settlement. Her complaint was fully investigated and resolved.  A public apology was issued by the person who has been transferred to another newsroom. Nothing of this issue was raised by her law firms at the time.

The program broadcast on 7.30 on Monday night on the ABC was neither accurate nor balanced.

The allegations aired were not put to Seven West Media for reply.

Had they been, Seven would have made clear that the termination of employment was made pursuant to a breach of contract.  This did not occur during the recorded conversation broadcast by the ABC last night, but many weeks afterwards following meetings and discussions when the former employee was represented by two successive firms of lawyers and the union. It is untrue to say that she was not represented.

The matter proceeded to mediation, where she was again represented, culminating in a cash settlement and a confidential deed of release. 

Seven has a long history of providing career opportunities and promotion of the more than 2,500 women who work for the organisation across Australia.  We reject completely the claim we do not act fairly and supportively at all times with members of our staff. Being a supportive employer that promotes and demands a caring workplace befitting a creative company, Seven will not tolerate standards that fall short.

On the MEAA statement today: We look forward to discussing the issues raised by the MEAA and the facts of this specific matter as soon as possible.  It should be noted that Seven News has been at the forefront of a successful cadet program which has seen the graduation of seven cadets over the last year to become reporters with the network.  Seven West Media has a program in place to promote young people across all of its platforms.