Two senior former executives from global real estate firm JLL are suing a major newspaper, claiming its reporting led to their sudden dismissal and the loss of millions in expected income. They argue the newspaper misrepresented private conversations and workplace conduct, resulting in damaged client relationships and the end of their careers.
The conflict began after a national paper published stories alleging inappropriate language and incidents involving the pair in a company WhatsApp group. Although only one article named them directly, the executives say their identities were clear to many within the property industry. Following the stories, their employment was terminated and JLL lost significant clients including Goodman Group and Charter Hall.
According to court filings, the former executives describe the articles as inaccurate and damaging. They claim the stories portrayed them as regular perpetrators of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. They argue most claims were false or exaggerated and based on unverified internal rumours from sources with personal grudges. They estimate their combined lost future income ranges between $5 million and $15 million.
After publication of the articles, JLL ordered an external legal review. However, the review reportedly did not include interviews with the two executives before they were dismissed. The company acted quickly by announcing their termination and launching workplace reforms, which appears to have been an attempt to protect its reputation.
This lawsuit highlights the fine line between media scrutiny and employment action in corporate controversies. The newspaper defends its reporting as essential for exposing unhealthy workplace culture. However, the executives argue the reporting led to a hasty dismissal and significant financial loss, raising broader concerns about media accountability and employer fairness.
