For the second time this week a former SBS journalist has lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Commission, after suddenly losing their job earlier this month.
Marion Ives, who had worked in casual and part-time roles at the broadcaster for seven years, was told she would not receive further shifts the day after she shared an article critical of SBS from her personal Facebook page, provoking an angry response from a senior member of the newsroom.
While SBS initially declined to comment, the network subsequently rejected that the decision to deny Ives future shifts was linked to the fact she shared the article.
In a statement issued today, Ives confirmed she was receiving assistance from media union the MEAA.
“An unfair dismissal application has been made to the Fair Work Commission. I am being assisted by the MEAA and look forward to having SBS's actions tested,” the statement said.
“As the matter is now the subject of proceedings, I have no further comment."
It’s been a tough week for the multicultural broadcaster, with Scott McIntyre filing a discrimination claim with the Fair Work Commission on Monday.
McIntyre lost his job as a sports reporter after he issued a series of tweets critical of Australian and allied actions in the First and Second World War.
Maurice Blackburn, who are representing McIntyre, said the reporter had been unfairly dismissed on the grounds of political expression, prohibited by Section 351 of the Fair Work Act.
“The case is not about whether Mr McIntyre’s opinions are correct or not. It will focus on whether the views expressed by Mr McIntyre constituted political opinion and whether SBS terminated his employment for expressing these views,” a statement issued by Maurice Blackburn said.
“It is alleged SBS took action without a proper investigation and consideration of all relevant issues. It will be contended that Mr McIntyre had an unblemished work record and if a proper process had been followed, he would still be employed in his chosen career.”
After being told she would not receive further shifts, Ives emailed her colleagues to say goodbye.
“I wasn’t given any concrete reasons, but today I was told ‘budget constraints and reviews of staff’ mean no further casual shifts,” she said.
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