Could one of Australia’s media giants be on the verge of a legal earthquake? Imagine finding out your paycheck has been shortchanged for years—now, that’s the reality facing many at Seven West Media, as an AI generated newscast about Seven West Media’s potential legal disaster unfolds.

Seven West Media, the company behind the popular Seven Network, may soon find itself at the center of a storm as staff members allege widespread underpayment—and they’re not taking it quietly. Adero Law, a major employment litigation firm, is investigating a class action lawsuit that could send shockwaves through the Australian media industry. Over 20 current and former Seven employees have already spoken out, with claims of misclassification, unpaid breaks, and denied overtime topping the list of grievances.

Caitlin McIvor, Senior Associate at Adero Law, revealed to the Australian Financial Review that the firm is preparing a possible suit, although it hasn’t yet hit the courts. The heart of the issue? Experienced journalists and producers say they were paid ‘Level Five’ salaries—just a notch above rookie status—even when their experience clearly merited more. The numbers tell the story: base rates ranged from $55,100 to $65,500, but some staff say promised “personal margins” evaporated as base pay rose, making any increase feel like smoke and mirrors.

The controversy doesn’t end there. Some allege that Seven quietly absorbed extra pay, a move seen as a desperate cost-cutting maneuver as the company battles plummeting ad revenues. With $650 million in ad dollars lost by commercial broadcasters since 2022, the pressure is on, and Seven’s new CEO, Jeff Howard, has already promised to slash another $30 million from the company’s expenses this year.

Adero Law is digging even deeper, questioning if a recent Federal Court ruling could force Seven to pony up even more. That landmark decision requires detailed timesheets for salaried workers, including overtime—a shift that saw retail giants like Coles and Woolworths facing backpay bills ballooning into the billions.

If Seven is found to have breached its 2022 Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, the fallout could be enormous: 1,200 employees were covered, and the backpay alone could soar. The company, however, firmly rejects the accusations. In a statement, a Seven West spokesperson insisted the company pays staff fairly and in line with legal obligations. But with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) planning fresh talks and worries swirling that Seven is dodging obligations for pay rises, this story is far from over.

Stay tuned for more in this AI generated newscast about Seven West Media’s unfolding class action drama.