Former Sony Music employees reportedly considering class action lawsuit
12 former Sony Music Australia employees are reportedly considering launching a class-action lawsuit against the company.
Criminal lawyer Lauren MacDougall confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald‘s Nathanael Cooper that the former Sony Music employees had contacted her amid Sony Music’s investigation into its Australian offices’ workplace culture.
“I have been approached by a number of women who were seeking legal advice in relation to claims of bullying and harassment during their time at Sony Music Australia,” MacDougall said.
“I would encourage any other women or men to come forward. Depending on how many people come forward and what they have to say there is the potential of a class action.”
Although MacDougall, of MacDougall and Hyde Lawyers, could not confirm the form the class action would take, allegations of harassment, bullying and discrimination at the company have been widely reported on.
As reported by Cooper for SMH last week, Sony Music’s corporate New York headquarters has expanded its investigation into the allegations by engaging an Australian-based external counsel.
According to SMH, at least one of the women who contacted MacDougall about the class action has also appointed her law firm to act on their behalf in Sony’s investigation.
One woman, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that she did not feel comfortable dealing with the company on her own.
“Sony Music has let us down time and time again, many of us don’t feel safe speaking with the organisation or its local counsel,” she said.
“It’s comforting to know there is finally someone out there representing our rights that can support us in navigating the complexities of this process.”
A spokeswoman for Sony Music declined to provide SMH with a comment on this matter.
The news comes after Sony Music Australia’s former CEO Denis Handlin exited the company, with his son and vice president of A&R Pat Handlin following.
On top of that, senior vice president of strategy, corporate affairs and human resources Mark Stebenicki has also been stood down.
There is no evidence that Denis Handlin, Pat Handlin or Stebenicki have been accused of wrongdoing as part of the investigation.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.