At the workshop, Smythe was offered a casual contract with the modelling agency, believing she was officially employed under the terms outlined in the agreement. However, despite working several modelling events for EBM Models, she was never paid for her services, nor did she receive a copy of the signed contract.
Smythe’s repeated requests for payment and her signed contract were ignored by Bonsu Maro. The situation escalated when, in April 2023, Smythe received an unexpected “Letter of Exit” from Bonsu Maro.
In the letter, Bonsu Maro told Smythe that she “will no longer need you on our EBM Models (sic) books, due to EBM Models expectations, but also respecting your personal choices with your journey in this particular industry.”
Smythe sought clarification but received no explanation for the sudden termination of her employment.
Following this, Smythe submitted a grievance to the ERA, claiming unjustified dismissal and non-payment for the modelling work she had completed.