Former Woolworths CEO Denies Allegations of Excessive Work Hours During Cancer Treatment
The former chief executive of Woolworths, Brad Banducci, has firmly denied allegations that one of his senior executives, who was undergoing cancer treatment, was compelled to work more than 100 hours per week. The claims have sparked a high-profile legal battle in the Federal Court, drawing attention to workplace practices at the supermarket giant.
Legal Battle Over Workplace Conditions
Miwah Van, who previously served as chief growth officer at Woolworths, has accused Banducci and other colleagues of demanding she perform the work of four full-time positions simultaneously while she was sick. In her lawsuit against Woolworths and several executives, including Banducci, Van alleges she was hospitalised on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2022 due to the excessive workload.
She claims that when she raised concerns about her working conditions, staff told her to 'drink from a fire hose', a phrase she interprets as pressure to handle an overwhelming amount of work. Van asserts she often worked over 100 hours weekly, with one instance in 2020 where she logged 119.8 hours.
Banducci's Strong Rejection and Promotion Dispute
In defence documents obtained by the Australian Financial Review, Banducci strongly rejected these allegations. He stated that Van was not promoted to the role of chief transformation officer because she was 'not a preferred candidate' and needed to develop her leadership skills further. Banducci, who left Woolworths in September 2023 and now serves as CEO of Ticketek Entertainment Group, has been contacted for comment through his new employer.
Van's statement of claim, filed in October 2025 and seen by the ABC, details that she was told in September 2020 by former chief transformation officer Von Ingram that she would succeed her and receive a promotion. However, by September 2022, she was informed other candidates were under consideration, leading Van to question in an email: 'What's really changed? Is it because I have cancer?'
Woolworths and Other Executives Respond
Woolworths has declined to comment on the ongoing case, citing that it is still before the court. The company has filed its defence separately from Banducci, previously describing Van's claims as 'vague and embarrassing'. In a separate defence, Von Ingram acknowledged that the phrase 'drink from a fire hose' was commonly used by company staff but claimed it was not in reference to working hours.
Ingram added that she supported Van to 'take every opportunity to develop and to grow as a leader within the organisation and to learn the business'. Daily Mail has reached out to Van's legal representation, Harmers Workplace Lawyers, for further comment on the matter.
Background and Career of Miwah Van
According to her LinkedIn profile, Van has extensive experience in workplace innovation, having worked at business consultant Unvorsum and Fitness First before joining Woolworths Group six years ago. In her legal claim, she notes that her role expanded over the years to include responsibility for several key areas of the company.
Van expressed her shock in an email to Banducci, stating: 'My surprise and shock was due to the expectations that have been created through representations made to me over an extended period that clearly indicated I was considered to be the natural successor to the role.' The case continues to unfold as both sides present their arguments in court.
