A SENIOR executive at the centre of a $9 million unlawful dismissal lawsuit against Pacific Brands has herself been made redundant, along with some of her staff.
A SENIOR executive at the centre of a $9 million unlawful dismissal lawsuit against Pacific Brands has herself been made redundant, along with some of her staff.
The group general manager of human resources, Melanie Allibon, will leave the company next financial year, most likely in late September. A Pacific Brands spokesman said responsibility for human resources was to be delegated to the company's three divisions, and that Ms Allibon's redundancy was unrelated to the lawsuit.
''Melanie is a fantastic HR executive who has been integral in not only the transformation of Pacific Brands but also putting this HR structure in place,'' he said. Up to 10 human-resources staff at Pacific Brands' head office will also lose their jobs.
Ms Allibon, a HR high-flyer whose resume includes stints at Amcor, Foster's and BHP, was hired in 2008 and is a member of Pacific Brands' senior executive team, one level below chief executive Sue Morphet.
Last year she worked on Pacific Brands' new ''One Business'' structure, part of Ms Morphet's three-year plan to transform the company from a local clothing manufacturer to a business controlling a portfolio of branded goods made in China.
Ms Allibon is mentioned several times in Federal Court papers filed by the former managing director of bra division Berlei, Sally Berkeley, who is claiming almost $9 million compensation after being sacked by Pacific Brands in December.
Ms Berkeley alleges Ms Allibon defended underwear head Ross Taylor, who Ms Berkeley claims bullied her.
The bullying allegation is denied by Pacific Brands, which does not accept Ms Berkeley's version of events and has vowed to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
According to court documents, Ms Allibon allegedly told Ms Berkeley, ''There is no more money, you take the role or you don't,'' after being asked for a pay rise to go along with a new position as general manager of intimates and women's underwear.
At the same meeting, in October, Ms Allibon allegedly supported Mr Taylor over a ''quite negative'' email from Ms Berkeley containing feedback from her staff, who had also missed out on pay rises. Earlier that morning Ms Allibon allegedly told Ms Berkeley that Mr Taylor was ''crying in a hotel room in Parramatta, devastated'' by the email.
''I don't know if Ross can get over this, or if we will be able to work together now,'' Ms Allibon allegedly told Ms Berkeley at the meeting.
The case has yet to come to court, with a directions hearing set for July 22.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What recent staffing changes did Pacific Brands announce?
Pacific Brands confirmed that group general manager of human resources Melanie Allibon will leave the company next financial year (most likely in late September) and that HR responsibility will be delegated to the company’s three divisions. The company also said up to 10 human-resources staff at its head office will lose their jobs.
Who is Melanie Allibon and why is her redundancy significant for investors?
Melanie Allibon is Pacific Brands’ group general manager of human resources, a senior executive hired in 2008 with prior roles at Amcor, Foster’s and BHP. She was a member of the senior executive team one level below CEO Sue Morphet and helped implement the company’s ‘One Business’ structure, so her redundancy is notable for investors tracking Pacific Brands’ leadership and transformation plans.
What is the $9 million unlawful dismissal lawsuit involving Pacific Brands?
The lawsuit was filed in Federal Court by Sally Berkeley, the former managing director of Berlei, who was sacked by Pacific Brands in December and is claiming almost $9 million in compensation. Ms Berkeley’s court papers mention Melanie Allibon and allege bullying by underwear head Ross Taylor; Pacific Brands denies the bullying allegations and says it will vigorously defend the case.
Has Pacific Brands said the HR redundancies are related to the unlawful dismissal lawsuit?
A Pacific Brands spokesman said Melanie Allibon’s redundancy was unrelated to the lawsuit. The company has attributed the change to delegating HR responsibility to its three divisions.
What role did Melanie Allibon play in Pacific Brands’ ‘One Business’ transformation?
According to the article, Allibon worked last year on Pacific Brands’ new ‘One Business’ structure, part of CEO Sue Morphet’s three‑year plan to transform the company from a local clothing manufacturer into a business managing a portfolio of branded goods made in China.
When will the legal case against Pacific Brands progress in court?
The case has not yet come to full trial; the article reports a directions hearing is set for July 22.
What allegations are made in the Federal Court papers mentioned in the article?
Federal Court papers filed by Sally Berkeley allege she was bullied and refer to interactions involving Melanie Allibon and Ross Taylor. The papers include alleged quotes from Allibon about pay and team dynamics. Pacific Brands disputes Berkeley’s version of events.
What should investors watch next after these developments at Pacific Brands?
Based on the article, investors may want to watch the outcome of the Federal Court directions hearing on July 22, any company updates about the HR delegation and redundancies, statements on the unlawful dismissal claim, and progress on the One Business transformation. The article does not provide any ruling or financial impact from the lawsuit.
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