Former NOVA Entertainment employees are planning a class-action lawsuit against the media company that operates commercial radio networks around the country, Variety Australia has reported.
The publication reported that at least 15 former NOVA Entertainment employees are part of a proposed lawsuit alleging claims of workplace misconduct including bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
Lawyer Kristian Bolwell – principal of Sydney based firm WorkLawyers – is preparing the lawsuit and confirmed that he has been approached by former employees and that he is “assisting them to resolve their issues, potentially on a class basis.”
The allegations are mainly about one senior executive, while additional allegations involve multiple leaders within the media organisation, according to sources who also revealed the lawsuit could reach court “within weeks.”
NOVA Entertainment owns and operates Nova and Smoothfm radio networks, Adelaide’s FiveAA, Central Coast’s Star 104.5, a podcast network, as well as 97.3FM in Brisbane in a joint venture with ARN.
In a statement to Variety, NOVA Entertainment said: “NOVA Entertainment is not aware of the filing of any class action or other legal proceedings related to alleged workplace misconduct. NOVA Entertainment has not been served with any court documents nor has it been contacted by any legal firms in relation to any proposed class action.
“NOVA Entertainment endeavours to ensure our workplace is free of bullying and harassment, whether based on an employee’s sex, race, religion, disability or any other characteristic.
“In May 2021 we implemented Speak Up!, a new whistleblower program for employees to report any forms of misconduct as well as a new partnership with Your Call, an independent confidential service that provides a channel for reporting conduct and behaviour that falls short of our expected standards.
“We encourage anyone with concerns to contact the service,” the statement concluded.
NOVA Entertainment is owned by Lachlan Murdoch‘s Illyria Pty Ltd. Mediaweek is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Murdoch.