PERPETUAL has denied sexually discriminating against former employee Fiona Dunn and told the Federal Court yesterday that chief executive David Deverall had offered her a high-level job comparable to her previous role, which was made redundant during a restructure.
A Perpetual spokeswoman said yesterday that, despite the formal court process, the company believed that further discussions with Ms Dunn could resolve the dispute. Any settlement is likely to be confidential.
Ms Dunn, who joined Perpetual in January 2004, launched proceedings in the Federal Court in April this year, claiming the firm had a "boy's club" culture and that her position in the wealth management division was made redundant while she was on maternity leave. "I have been subject to stress, anxiety, professional humiliation and left in a state of total disbelief that in this day and age, I have been the subject of blatant and unashamed discrimination and bullying, and that this is institutionalised in the very organisation for which I strived so hard for its success," Ms Dunn said in court documents.
Perpetual, in documents filed yesterday, said all senior staff in the wealth management team were affected by the 2007 restructure, and that it wanted to retain Ms Dunn and was disappointed that she "was not prepared to consider the alternative position offered to her".
Mr Deverall personally offered her the role, which would involve "a significant level of direct exposure to the board", a "high level of responsibility" and opportunities for further promotion, the court documents state. "The position was comparable to the position previously performed by (Ms Dunn) in terms of remuneration, seniority and responsibility, save for the number of persons reporting to her."
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