Fat-Shamed Lorna Jane Employee Has Psychological Issues, Court Told

Fat-Shamed Lorna Jane Employee Has Psychological Issues, Court Told

A former employee of women’s fitness wear chain Lorna Jane who claims she was sacked for being overweight has finally had her day in court as she seeks a reported $550,000 in compensation.

The long-running saga between the former sales assistant, Amy Robinson (right in photo above), and her former employer finally landed in the Brisbane District Court yesterday.

Robinson, who is a size 14, claims she was belittled because of her size while working at the Lorna Jane store at the Brisbane airport DFO from July to December 2012. Robinson also claimed she was made to do unfair hours by her bosses. She claims her treatment led her to have “psychiatric injuries” and she has been unable to work since and is now seeking the mega payout.

However, yesterday the court heard of a psychological assessment of Robinson by a Dr Ursula Oretel that suggested Robinson had a borderline personality disorder that made it difficult for her to work alongside other people.

The report noted that Robinson was “extremely sensitive with interactions with others, quick to feel she is being treated inequitably, and tends to hold a grudge even if the perceived affront is unintentional”. The comments reported on a number of news sites.

Under cross-examination by Lorna Jane’s legal team, Dr Oretel said Robinson had a tendency to become “grievously affronted” by tasks she saw as meaningless and that would make it “extremely difficult” for Robinson to hold down a job.

It was revealed that Robinson was a single mother and has long suffered from anxiety and depression issues, including post-natal depression, domestic violence and financial stresses.

Dr Oretel added that Robinson’s medical history would make if difficult to ascertain how much her experience at Lorna Jane had contributed to her mental state. The hearing continues in the Brisbane District Court before Judge Gregory Koppenol.




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