Ex-Living Room producer to sue 10

Former Living Room executive producer Maria Michael is suing Network 10 over allegedly unpaid redundancy entitlements.

The Age reports she launched a Federal Court claim on August 31st, after being made redundant after “more than 30 years of continuous service.”

Her lawyers claim 10 contravened the Fair Work Act by paying her severance pay equating to 12 weeks’ pay but she has suffered loss in the order of “78 weeks’ pay, being the sum of $393,371.10.”

Lawyers also claim 10 took adverse action against her in contravention of the Fair Work Act after she “exercised her workplace right” to complain or ask a question about the amount she would receive in redundancy entitlements.

Ms Michael was made redundant in May, along with head of sport Matt White, head of comedy Paul Leadon and journalists at lifestyle site 10Daily.

Maria Michael is well regarded, having steered The Living Room for years when it was produced by WTFN, before changes within the network led to it being revamped and produced in-house. Her other credits include Bondi Rescue, Family Feud and Pointless.

Her lawyers allege 10 said “it would pay her 14 weeks’ pay in lieu of notice, and 16 weeks’ pay for severance pay, upon the termination of her employment”, but it was reduced to 13 and 12 weeks respectively, after she “complained” or “inquired” about the 16-week figure.

This amounted to an alleged loss of five weeks’ pay compared with the previous offer, or $25,216.10.

“As the claim is to be decided by the court, we have no comment to make,” a 10 spokesperson said on Friday.