Flight Centre caught in workplace bullying case

Australian travel agency Flight Centre is at the centre of a case of corporate workplace bullying, with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers filing action against the company in the Federal Court.

Employment Law Principal Josh Bornstein said the action was filed under the Fair Work Act’s adverse action provisions - laws which play an important function in protecting whistleblowers from victimisation and retribution.

“In this case, our client blew the whistle on extreme bullying behaviour at Flight Centre and, as a result, was victimised, demoted and ultimately lost his career with the company,” Bornstein said.

“The fact that a company which has won awards for being an excellent employer has tried to sweep this under the rug, ignoring obscene and belittling bullying in its own ranks and then turning on those that try to expose it, reflects an unacceptable work attitude.”

The case centres on claims that Richard Barnes, a former high-performing Assistant Manager of the Student Flights Frankston Store, became concerned by aggressive and bullying behaviour of the Store Manager (Ms Kelly Gallasch) towards another employee. Of particular concern to Barnes were comments Gallasch made to several workers saying a fellow employee was “useless”, “stinks” and saying to the employee “no wonder your husband left you”. Gallasch attempted to make the employee wear a degrading ‘boob apron’ to a work awards night because of low sales.

Despite Barnes making several complaints about Gallasch’s behaviour, Flight Centre failed to take action to stop her bullying behaviour, and after Barnes stood up for his colleague, he was also targeted by Gallasch. Bornstein said the case demonstrates that bullying can occur in all workplaces at all levels and reinforces the need for National Workplace Bullying laws.

“At the moment, there is no law that directly addresses workplace bullying and makes it illegal,” he said. “Even Brodie’s Law is not really a bullying law as it deals with stalking. It can only apply in a small percentage of cases of extreme physical bullying.”