Former Seven West Media (SWM) sales executive Lisa Squillace is all set to join Network 10 in February next year, following a legal battle against her old employer.
The stoush between Squillace (pictured above) and SWM began in October, when the former sales exec sent a letter via her law firm Laxon Lex expressing her concern about being discriminated against for being pregnant, after being overlooked for a promotion at SWM.
Squillace was hoping to snag the role of Seven’s network director of sales, which was left vacant by Adam Elliott in March last year. However, Seven’s Brisbane sales director at the time, Natalie Harvey, ended up landing the gig.
Having missed out on the role, Squillace informed SWM that she was looking to take up a position in Network 10’s new in-house sales team, but the two parties have since been battling in court over when Squillace could join 10.
The non-compete clause in Squillace’s contract with SWM was six months, and B&T understands SWM offered to reduce that to two months. However, Squillace declined the offer and planned to start at 10 straight away.
Court documents issued on Monday show that SWM has been ordered to pay Squillace $69,867.14 gross, less applicable tax, with no order regarding legal costs.
Squillace will not be able to start work at 10 until after 5pm on 10 February, which is in line with the reduced two months that SWM offered.
Furthermore, B&T understands that despite the $70,000 payout being rubber-stamped by the Federal Court, the two parties had already settled on the amount during negotiations outside court.
B&T also understands Squillace’s discrimination claims against SWM were not brought up in court.
Both SWM and 10 declined to comment when contacted by B&T.
