Two former senior executives at global property giant JLL have launched legal action against the company, claiming they were unfairly dismissed and defamed over unproven allegations of workplace misconduct.
Former Head of Industrial and Logistics Agency Peter Blade and former National Head of Industrial Brokerage Greg Pike are seeking millions in damages, alleging they were “named and shamed” in the media before JLL had concluded an internal investigation or made any findings against them.
According to The Australian Financial Review, Blade and Pike said they were instructed not to respond to “damaging and untrue allegations” that surfaced in a newspaper report and subsequently faced hostility from colleagues who wanted them removed from the company.
Court filings reveal the executives were accused of making inappropriate remarks in a work-related WhatsApp group and boasting about visiting a strip club. However, the men maintain that these claims were never substantiated or put to them formally. The allegations have not been proven, and both former executives deny any wrongdoing.
The filings further allege that one of the men was “assaulted and verbally abused” by a coworker amid mounting workplace tensions.
Despite JLL’s termination letters stating that their dismissal was unrelated to any specific conduct findings and that the investigation was still underway, the pair argue that the company’s public apology and statements about cultural failings created a false impression of guilt.
“The contradiction between these communications is stark,” their legal statement reads. “It creates the false and damaging impression that our clients were found to have engaged in misconduct when, in truth, no allegation was ever put to them.”
JLL, which has admitted to “significant shortcomings” in its Australian business following an independent review by Clyde & Co, said both executives had declined multiple requests to cooperate with the investigation. The firm apologised for leadership and cultural failings, vowing to strengthen governance, training, and internal accountability.
The lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to the company’s ongoing efforts to repair its reputation after the dismissal of Australian CEO Dan Kernaghan in August over his handling of workplace conduct issues.
JLL has since appointed company veteran Luke Billiau as interim chief for Australia and New Zealand and announced plans to rebuild trust through “stronger leadership and transparent communication.”
Blade and Pike claim the company’s actions have cost them more than $7 million in potential earnings and have caused significant reputational and emotional harm. Their case is now before the Federal Court.
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