Mining exec ‘sexually harassed’ staffer at Market Herald director home

afr.com:

An unnamed senior mining executive sexually harassed a female staffer from Gumtree and HotCopper operator, The Market Herald, at the house of the company director Gavin Argyle, according to fresh allegations made in the bitter feud for control of the Perth-based business publication.

Former Market Herald managing director Jag Sanger has alleged in the Federal Court that Mr Argyle ordered the unlawful surveillance of his and the female employee’s emails shortly after he escalated her complaint about harassment during a private function at Mr Argyle’s home.

Jag Sanger is seeking damages over what he says was his unlawful termination from The Market Herald. Ross Swanborough

The claims form part of an unlawful termination case Mr Sanger has launched against the Herald in which he accuses the business of sacking him in part because he escalated the harassment complaint.

Herald chair Alec Pismiris said in a statement: “We reject these claims and as appropriate we will defend ourselves through the court process.”

The Herald, in legal action filed earlier this year, is suing Mr Sanger over the undisclosed hiring of his ex-wife and payments made to her. Mr Sanger claims the hiring was disclosed and payments were authorised by the chair.

Among the explosive claims contained in the latest statement of claim, filed last month, Mr Sanger alleges he was pushed out of the company for requesting a formal incentive scheme, which angered Mr Argyle.

Mr Argyle described Mr Sanger’s request in text messages as an “ill-conceived proposal”, and claimed the then-managing director would “take (his) bat and ball home in a dummy spit”.

Mr Argyle went on to say his “care factor was zero” and referred to similar pay requests he had received,