Bullying alleged at executive level in WIN TV

An explosive affidavit filed in the Federal Court has highlighted a dysfunctional relationship between billionaire Bruce Gordon and his son Andrew, the executive chairman of WIN Television.

The Australian Financial Review reports the affidavit emerged in a case where a former general manager at WIN Television is suing the company claiming the firm engaged in deceptive conduct.

Rod Hockey, who worked at WIN for 27 years,  is suing the company for close to $400,000. The GM role was made redundant in early 2011 and he accepted the role of network director of production, but he resigned in February last year. He claims he was entitled to be paid out the balance of his contract.

Hockey claims he was on the receiving end of bullying behaviour from Bruce Gordon including a July 2010 phone call in which Gordon abused him for 20 minutes.

Andrew Gordon is alleged to have criticised his father regularly and to have tried to shield Mr Hockey.

Bruce Gordon is alleged to have undermined his son as early as 2007, when he told Mr Hockey to “keep me informed” as he left for his Bermuda home.

Andrew Gordon told the court on Monday that he had told Hockey: “I would just about resign if his contract was not paid out accordingly.”

Source: The Australian