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Global commercial real estate and investment management company JLL will face legal proceedings from its now-former head of human resources in Australia, New Zealand, and south-east Asia, who says she was let go despite her having given “appropriate advice on the handling” of a sexual harassment investigation.
Julie Skinner, JLL’s ex-regional HR head, is set to sue her former employer, which is dealing with the fallout from an external investigation into the company’s cultural issues and procedural failures associated with alleged misconduct.
In a statement provided to HR Leader, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers principal Mia Pantechis (pictured) said that Skinner “denies any wrongdoing”.
“She discharged her duties dutifully and responsibly. Despite giving JLL appropriate advice on the handling of the sexual harassment investigation, and being told she was not under investigation, she was terminated in haste during a period of annual leave after raising multiple concerns about JLL’s actions,” she said.
“Our client will be taking legal action against JLL, including pursuant to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).”
HR Leader has sought clarification from Maurice Blackburn as to whether proceedings will be filed with the Fair Work Commission or in the Federal Court of Australia.
According to Skinner’s LinkedIn page, she had been the head of HR in Australia, New Zealand, and south-east Asia for nearly three years.
The looming proceedings follow JLL’s response to an external investigation, conducted by global law firm Clyde & Co, into its Australian business.
The company said, in response to the law firm’s report, it is implementing a “comprehensive plan that includes stronger leadership, clarified governance, enhanced training, and open and transparent communication” business-wide, which has been supported by actions including: the appointment of Luke Billiau as interim CEO in Australia and New Zealand and the appointment of a new HR leader to bolster the company’s centralised employee relations function.
The latter, the company’s statement read, will have a “more robust investigative capability”.
JLL global executive board member Richard Bloxam said: “We acknowledge there were significant shortcomings in certain areas of our business, especially related to inappropriate behaviours which were further exacerbated by poor executive decision making and lack of compliance with established policies and protocols. For that, we apologise to our people, our clients, and the Australian business community. We are taking responsibility for these failings and are taking clear and necessary actions.”
Billiau said: “Our current focus is on supporting our people and rebuilding trust with our clients, partners, and stakeholders. We are determined to uphold a safer and more accountable organisation for the long term. We know that trust must be earned, and this work will continue until meaningful change is embedded in everything we do.”
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When a company terminates an employee's job for improper or illegitimate reasons, it is known as an unfair dismissal.
Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Momentum Media’s professional services suite, encompassing Lawyers Weekly, HR Leader, Accountants Daily, and Accounting Times. He has worked as a journalist and podcast host at Momentum Media since February 2018. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
