A senior manager at Prime Super, a multibillion-dollar pension fund, is facing allegations of sexual harassment from several colleagues. One former employee, Estelita Evans, claimed in court that she was made redundant after lodging complaints about repeated unwelcome advances from the manager, Brian Coombe. The allegations were detailed in court documents submitted to the Federal Circuit Court and reported by The Australian Financial Review.
Evans, who has since settled with the firm, alleged that Coombe engaged in inappropriate behavior, including touching her inner thigh, professing his love, and commenting on her marital status during a 2023 Christmas lunch at a winery in Victoria. Another employee also reported similar unwanted advances from Coombe, according to Evans’ claims.
Details of the Allegations
Evans stated that despite initially apologizing, Coombe later handed her a “lover letter.” She reported these incidents to her superiors but felt her actions were scrutinized instead of supported. Evans alleged that Prime Super failed to follow through on promises to provide her with counseling support.
In February of the following year, Evans expressed to managers her distress over being accused of having a physical relationship with Coombe, which she denied, asserting her commitment to her marriage. It remains unclear whether Coombe continues to be employed at Prime Super, a fund with approximately 150,000 members formed from the merger of four regional funds in the 1990s.
Company and Legal Responses
Prime Super has denied the allegations and declined to comment further, citing the confidential resolution of the matter. A spokesperson stated,
“The matter has been resolved on a confidential basis. Consequently, it is not appropriate for Prime Super to make any comment.”
Evans’ legal representatives, McDonald Murholme, also refrained from commenting on the case.
Evans claimed she filed four complaints over the subsequent year regarding her mental health struggles and the company’s handling of the situation. She also accused Prime Super of micromanaging her in retaliation for her complaints.
Implications and Further Developments
Upon returning from personal leave in September 2024, Evans feared potential restructuring under the new chief executive, Raelene Seales, might lead to redundancies. Although initially reassured of her job security, Evans and two others were made redundant in February, just five months later.
Evans alleged that Prime Super breached general protections under the Fair Work Act by taking adverse action against her, failing to address her complaints adequately, and dismissing her for making those complaints. She claimed the company subjected her to an unclear and unsupportive process regarding her harassment complaints, jeopardizing her employment and financial security.
Context and Broader Implications
This case highlights ongoing challenges in addressing workplace harassment, particularly in large organizations. The allegations against Coombe and Prime Super underscore the importance of robust mechanisms for handling such complaints and supporting affected employees. Experts suggest that companies must prioritize creating safe environments and ensure transparency in their processes to prevent similar incidents.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Prime Super will address these allegations internally and what measures will be implemented to prevent future occurrences. The case serves as a reminder of the critical role that workplace culture and leadership play in fostering a respectful and supportive environment for all employees.
