Staff at Rebel Sport and Supercheap Auto owner Super Retail Group intend to sue the company over an alleged secret affair between its CEO and former head of HR.
Two current employees, represented by Harmers Workplace Lawyers, are expected to allege chief executive Anthony Heraghty had an undisclosed relationship with the company’s former chief human resources officer, Super Retail Group said in a statement to the ASX on Friday.
That role was last filled by Jane Kelly, who left the company in November 2023 after seven years in the job.
Super Retail Group expects the employees to claim between $30 million and $50 million in losses and damages between them.
The employees will also make allegations of bullying, inappropriate company travel, unsatisfactory record management, victimisation and adverse treatment, and members of the corporate team having unreasonable workloads, insufficient resources and restricted access to information.
The company, which also owns Australia’s largest outdoor retailer BCF and adventure apparel brand Macpac, intends to defend the claims against it and has enlisted law firm Allens to act on its behalf.
It says an investigation into the allegations, supported by independent external advisers, found them to be unsubstantiated.
In a statement, Harmers said Super Retail Group’s ASX announcement contained “major inaccuracies”.
Shares in Super Retail Group plunged 5 per cent to $13.14 on Friday afternoon.