July 21, 2018
ANZ comments on Fairfax Media story
ANZ today provided comments on a story that appeared in Fairfax Media about legal proceedings in New York involving a former employee.
The story detailed an inappropriate line of questioning from external lawyers acting on ANZ’s behalf regarding the former employee’s private life. It took place during a deposition in New York last year as part of an ongoing legal dispute.
ANZ provided Fairfax Media the following comments:
- We are disappointed this line of questioning was put to our former employee by our external lawyers handling the matter in New York.
- We are aware that the law and practice in the United States is different to Australia, however the questioning was not consistent with our culture or values and we don’t consider our former employee’s past sexual history or her being the victim of sexual abuse relevant to our defence.
- We have spoken with our external lawyers in New York, and can assure our former employee that we will not be raising these matters as part of the trial.
- ANZ has zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior in the workplace and has strong policies in place.
ANZ can also confirm that the external lawyer in question has switched law firms and is no longer involved in the case.
Media Release