A woman suing active wear company Lorna Jane over bullying claims that include allegedly being called an “oxygen thief”, has broken down in the District Court in Brisbane while testifying how the abuse led her to have suicidal thoughts.

Former employee Amy Louise Robinson, 40, sobbed quietly as she spoke of how she had suffered mentally because of a barrage of negative attacks by her area manager Megan McCarthy.

Ms Robinson told the court Ms McCarthy often told her to lose weight when she visited the DFO store in 2012.

“I’d be eating lunch in the back room … and she’d say ‘should you be eating that?'” Ms Robinson told the hearing.

The mother of three weighed 68 kilograms at the time she worked as manager of the store.

Ms Robinson is suing Lorna Jane for over $500,000 in damages, saying she suffered depressive moods, anxiety and worthlessness because of the way she had been treated.

In a medical report tended to the court she had talked to doctors about how “some days she could not see the light at the end of the tunnel”.

“She felt no-one would employ her any more; she had thought of ending her life,” the report said.

Alleged abusive Facebook posts

Also tended were alleged Facebook posts from Ms McCarthy in 2012 saying:

An undated supplied photo of Amy Robinson.

“I have discovered a new name for the people I despise — I call them ‘generators’ — purely because they fill their days generating more problems for me to deal with. Generators are similar to mutants — people who are genuine oxygen thieves,” the post read.

Ms Robinson said she was often called a “generator” during Ms McCarthy’s critical visits to the store.

In another post after working with Ms Robinson in November 2012, the manager allegedly posted:

“What a day! It is difficult to soar with the eagles when you are surrounded by turkeys. Is it too late to pursue a different career?” the post said.

Ms Robinson left the company in December 2012 on stress leave and has not been back.

Company ‘vehemently denies’ Ms Robinson’s claims

However in an unusual move, the multi-million-dollar company read a statement to the media a day-and-a-half into the proceedings.

The company’s head of people and culture, Emily Bourke, addressed the media at lunchtime today saying:

“As an employer of more than 2,000 people we take the claims being taken against the company very seriously,” she said.

We have conducted a through internal investigation and vehemently deny Ms Robinson’s claims.

“We have workplace policies and procedures in place that very clearly state the company’s position on workplace bullying and harassment and it was not tolerated in any circumstances.

“This is the first time in the company’s 27-year history that we have been involved in proceedings of this nature.

“We will allow the legal process to run its course and we look forward to all evidence being presented to the court.”

Ms Rourke would not take questions outside court after the statement.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
• Headspace on 1800 650 890