TechnologyOne rejects $15 million bullying claim

Brisbane-based software vendor TechnologyOne has denied the claims in an unfair dismissal case brought on by a former state manager.

Victorian state manager Behnam Roohizadegan has commenced proceedings with a $14.82 million unfair dismissal and bullying claim against his former employer.

The allegations, which were published by the Australian Financial Review this morning, claim that he was bullied by two senior executives in 2016. In one case, Roodhizadegan said he was verbally dressed down by sales and marketing executive Stuart MacDonald when he asked about negotiating on a discount for TechOne's customer La Trobe University.

In another incident, he claimed that another executive Martin Harwood threatened him, saying "it will be either you or me at TechnologyOne by the end of the day. One of us has to go Benham".

Roodhizadegan claims to be owed $10.43 million in unpaid incentives and contractual bonuses, along with $4.39 million in bonuses from other key deals.

TechOne chief executive Edward Chung issued a statement denying the allegations and disagreeing with Roohizadegan's accounts on the incidents.

"This is an unfortunate situation, as we treat all staff issues with integrity and fairness. We deny the allegations made and we are vigorously defending the claim," Chung said.

“TechnologyOne dismissed Mr Roohizadegan because we had lost faith in his ability to lead the Victorian business, the business had stagnated under his leadership, the low staff morale in his region, there were very serious concerns raised by his team about him; as well as his inability to work with three different managers.

“TechnologyOne prides itself on paying staff correctly and on time. Mr Roohizadegan was paid all of his entitlements, including bonuses. I note that Mr Roohizadegan had previously raised similar contractual claims against his former employer."

TechOne only settled a public dispute with Brisbane City Council last month, with the software provider claiming $50 million in damages after its local government systems contract was terminated in 2015.