A senior executive who worked at Woolworths for eight years claims she was made to work through her holidays, paid a third of a comparable male colleague’s salary, and bullied by her manager.
In an application lodged to the Federal Court in March, Jane Frewen, who held senior facilities management roles at Woolworths’ 360 – a division responsible for store renovations, fit outs and operations – also alleged she faced whistleblower retaliation, constructive dismissal and a hostile work environment.
“For years, I raised concerns through the proper channels, only to have them dismissed or turned back on me,” she said in a statement issued by Harmers Workplace Lawyers on Monday.
“I came forward because I believe what happened to me is not isolated – and because others deserve better. I hope that by speaking out, other women in corporate Australia feel empowered to do the same.”
Frewen alleged she was regularly required to work more than 60 to 90 hours a week, denied title and pay changes despite managing growing responsibilities, and experienced treatment consistent with a “boys’ club” culture.
“Ms Frewen is also aware of a male colleague in a comparable role who was paid approximately three times her salary,” her lawyers said.
A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed the company had received Frewen’s claim. “Woolworths intends to defend the case,” the spokesman said. “As the matter is before the courts, we are unable to comment further.”
In her concise statement filed to the Federal Court in March, Frewen said there was, at the very least, “a culture of favouritism”, including an internal recruitment process in which an individual who was part of the “boys’ club” was effectively pre-appointed to a role.
Frewen also alleged she was typically required to work a minimum of 12 to 14 hours on weekdays and one day on weekends, worked every holiday period over the past six years of her employment, did not receive time back and had any requests for backfill rejected or challenged. “Even while on leave, [Frewen] was consistently required to work, and her attendance was required at meetings … even when other team members were available,” the statement read.
Another ex-senior executive at Woolworths, Miwah Van, sued the supermarket giant late last year, alleging she was overworked to the point of ending up in hospital and was overlooked for a promotion after being diagnosed with cancer. Woolworths is defending the case, which was also brought by Harmers.
Frewen claimed that about August or September 2022, she was told her title would change from “director of facilities” to “managing director”. But she alleged that never occurred, despite her requesting a review of her title on three separate occasions.
Frewen also claimed she was subjected to a “sustained and severe pattern of bullying and harassing conduct” by her direct line manager, Woolworths 360 managing director Rob McCartney.
Several examples were listed in the concise statement including a team meeting in which Frewen mentioned a new policy proposal that had been commended by industry bodies and McCartney allegedly replied, “no offence, it is like turkeys voting for Christmas” in reference to that policy.
Frewen also alleged she was directed by McCartney and a senior HR executive, to appoint an individual as the NSW state facility manager despite it being well known that the person lacked the necessary skills to fulfil the role.
“When [that individual] faced performance issues, Mr McCartney implied it was due to [Frewen’s] management, asking at one stage, ‘Why was he performing before he came to your team and now he isn’t?’ in an overly angry and accusatory manner,” the concise statement reads.
McCartney also often pressured Frewen to cancel work orders to meet budget targets, “in blatant disregard of potential safety concerns”, Frewen alleged.
Frewen also claimed that, following the death of a contractor in 2022, there was no proper recognition of the “significant emotional impact”, or any support provided to her, after she was made responsible for co-ordinating funeral arrangements, providing ongoing communication and support for the deceased’s family.
Frewen claimed she was effectively forced to resign in February 2025, and finished with the company. She is suing Woolworths for adverse action, breaches of the Corporations Act, and a breach of Australian consumer law and contract.
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Millie Muroi is the economics writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. She was formerly an economics correspondent based in Canberra’s Press Gallery and the banking writer based in Sydney.Connect via X or email.
