Lorna Jane says it did NOT bully and 'fat shame' a size-14 former employee who is suing the fitness label for more than $548,000 after claiming she was told to 'skip meals and live on coffee'

  • Former Lorna Jane store manager Amy Robinson is suing the fitness label
  • Ms Robinson claims she became suicidal after being 'fat shamed'
  • She said staff were encouraged to skip meals and live on coffee 
  • Ms Robinson is claiming more than $548,000 in compensation 

By Nicole Low For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:14 EST, 8 October 2015 | Updated: 17:04 EST, 8 October 2015

Active wear label Lorna Jane has rejected claims by a former employee that she was picked on because of her weight and had become ‘decrepit and suicidal’ as a result of being ‘fat shamed’.

Amy Robinson, who is a size 14, is suing Lorna Jane for more than $548,000, The Courier Mail reported

Ms Robinson, 39, said working as a store manager at Lorna Jane for six months in 2012 left her with mental health issues.

Not a size 8: Amy Robinson, who is a size 14, is suing Lorna Jane for more than $500,000. She claims her former employer bullied and 'fat shamed' her, causing her to become suicidal

Not a size 8: Amy Robinson, who is a size 14, is suing Lorna Jane for more than $500,000. She claims her former employer bullied and 'fat shamed' her, causing her to become suicidal

The mother-of-three said she was bulled and demeaned at the clothing retailer which she claims expects its employees to look like ‘gym bunnies’. 

Ms Robinson claims her boss picked on her because of her weight, bullied her on social media and called her offensive names.

She said the alleged bullying triggered a ‘mental disorder’ and a ‘major depressive episode’, and she 'has chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and (depression)'.

According to Ms Robinson, she was forced to carry heavy boxes at work, and suffered from painful haemorrhoids as a result.

She said undergoing an operation to correct the problem left her with a constant need to use the toilet, which 'interfere(s) with the ability to … work'.

Lorna Jane has denied the allegations, saying Ms Robinson 'remains employed by' the company and has 'failed to return to (work) ... despite being fit for work'. 

Centre of controversy: Fitness mogul Lorna Jane Clarkson's company is being sued by a former employee who claimed she was bullied about her weight and forced to work in unsafe conditions

Centre of controversy: Fitness mogul Lorna Jane Clarkson's company is being sued by a former employee who claimed she was bullied about her weight and forced to work in unsafe conditions

Allegations made: The former store manager said staff members were encouraged to skip meals, drink coffee and hit the gym to fit Lorna Jane's 'move, nourish, believe' fitness philosophy 

Allegations made: The former store manager said staff members were encouraged to skip meals, drink coffee and hit the gym to fit Lorna Jane's 'move, nourish, believe' fitness philosophy 

The clothing retailer said Ms Robinson did not suffer from the symptoms she claimed to have and was capable of working. 

Ms Robinson earlier said that her entire life had been affected as a result of working for Lorna Jane.

‘There is not one area of my life that has not been impacted by this. From family relationships to my children being affected - seeing their mum go in and out of hospital and the anxieties they have today because of it,' the ABC cited her as saying.

'I'm a mum with kids, and a senior staff member would constantly suggest I skip lunch, or make offhand comments about my lifestyle choices,' Ms Robinson said.

She also told The Courier Mail that some staff would 'skip meals and live on coffee and (they) tried to encourage us to do the same thing.'

'We were meant to be nourishing our bodies but we were never allowed to do that.'

Ms Robinson said she went from being a strong and resilient person to being decrepit and suicidal, the ABC reported. 

It is not the first time Lorna Jane has come under fire.

The clothing retailer was criticised in July when it advertised for a ‘size small’ receptionist.

Under fire: Lorna Jane has been the centre of controversy before after posting a job advert for a receptionist/fit model with specific body measurements 

Under fire: Lorna Jane has been the centre of controversy before after posting a job advert for a receptionist/fit model with specific body measurements 


Legal team: Ms Robinson is working with Shine Lawyers in her law suit against the fitness label 

Legal team: Ms Robinson is working with Shine Lawyers in her law suit against the fitness label 

 

Before the courts: A Lorna Jane spokeswoman said they would not respond to the allegations at this point because it is before the courts, save to say they would defend the matter

Before the courts: A Lorna Jane spokeswoman said they would not respond to the allegations at this point because it is before the courts, save to say they would defend the matter

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