A former accounts and office manager has resolved her case against class action firm Bannister Law alleging she was required to work while on leave and was fired after complaining about bullying.
The Fair Work Act case by Nicola Glover was dismissed by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Tuesday, about a year after it was served.
Bannister Law principal Charles Bannister on Wednesday confirmed the matter had resolved. Lawyerly has contacted Glover for comment. The terms of the dismissal were not known at the time of publishing.
According to the suit, Bannister required Glover to work while on leave, and fired her after she raised complaints about bullying and “the running of the firm’s trust accounts”.
Glover, who worked at the firm’s Darling Point office before her employment was terminated in May 2022, sought damages and pecuniary penalties for hurt and humiliation.
Her suit claims she suffered a mental health workplace injury at the end of April 2022, which was subsequently processed as a worker’s compensation claim. She was deemed unfit for work between May 6 and May 27, the suit claims.
Glover alleges that on May 6, Bannister sent an email asking her to complete payroll and other work. Bannister allegedly contacted Glover again on May 19 in relation to further work while she was still on leave, and was “highly critical” of Glover for inserting an incorrect email address in Bannister’s letter head.
Glover was terminated on May 20, after she raised concerns about bullying, as well as concerns about superannuation and “the running of the firm’s trust accounts, amongst other things,” according to the suit.
She alleges that Bannister took adverse action against her for exercising her right to personal leave and worker’s compensation, as well as her right to raise concerns about discrimination.
It is also alleged that Bannister discriminated against her and failed to accommodate her mental health disability by requiring her to work while on leave and criticising her for mistakes.
Bannister told Lawyerly at the time of filing that the firm would defend itself against the lawsuit.
“All allegations are strongly denied,” he said.
Glover was represented by GLR Law, but the firm ceased its representation in April.
Bannister Law was represented by McArdle Legal.
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