"Estate agency accused of sexual harassment, discrimination by former director", 7 Apr 2018

A Melbourne real estate franchise stands accused of overseeing a misogynistic and sexually inappropriate culture...Summer Salvato alleges male directors at Sweeney Estate Agents repeatedly harassed her and discriminated against her, and her complaints were not properly investigated.  In a claim lodged in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, she claims Sweeney chief executive and founding partner Darren Dean repeatedly made inappropriate comments...Mr Dean told Domain that the allegations would be denied and defended in court.  Ms Salvato...claims the behaviour escalated...following a work-related event...Ms Salvato, 38, claims the harassment caused her panic attacks, anxiety, depression and insomnia and she had not been able to work since...Ms Salvato’s claim alleges breaches of the Equal Opportunity, Sex Discrimination and Fair Work acts...Mr Dean denied claims in the lawsuit that Sweeney did not have a human resources department or an adequate system to deal with complaints of sexual discrimination or sexual harassment...