‘I went home and cried, then I talked to a lawyer:’ Natalie Barr sought legal advice when she lost her newsreader role at Channel Seven shortly after returning from maternity leave
Natalie Barr has revealed she the crucial decision she made, almost two decades ago, that shaped her career.
Calling it her ‘Sliding Doors moment’ the 52-year-old told Stellar magazine this week that she sought legal advice in 2001, after being dropped from her newsreader role at Channel Seven.
At the time, she had recently lost her father, had a newborn at home, and had returned from maternity leave only weeks before.
Back then: Natalie Barr (pictured) has revealed she the crucial decision she made, almost two decades ago, that shaped her career
‘I was furious. I told the news director if I was going to lose my job I’d have taken more maternity leave. I went home and cried, then I panicked, then I talked to my husband and then to a lawyer,’ she told Stellar.
However, the journalist decided to compromise – and got her way.
‘I decided not to pursue things with the lawyer. I walked back into Channel 7 and I sorted it out,’ she says.
Back then: Calling it her ‘Sliding Doors moment’ the 52-year-old told Stellar magazine this week that she sought legal advice in 2001, after being dropped from her newsreader role at Channel Seven. Pictured in the 2000s
Angry: ‘I was furious. I told the news director if I was going to lose my job I’d have taken more maternity leave. I went home and cried, then I panicked, then I talked to my husband and then to a lawyer,’ she told Stellar. Pictured in the 2000s
‘I told the news editor that going back on the road wouldn’t work for me and he came up with a role where I became a fill-in newsreader.’
Just eight months later, she was asked to join the cast of the new-look Sunrise.
In June, it was announced that Sunrise host Sam Armytage, 43, would reduce her on-air duties and opt for a four-day week.
As a result, Natalie stepped up to host the Seven breakfast program two days a week – with a salary increase to boot.
However, the journalist decided to compromise and got her way: ‘I told the news editor that going back on the road wouldn’t work for me and he came up with a role where I became a fill-in newsreader.’ Just eight months later, she was asked to join the cast of the new-look Sunrise
Moved: In June, it was announced that Sunrise host Sam Armytage, 43, would reduce her on-air duties and opt for a four-day week. As a result, Natalie stepped up to host the Seven breakfast program two days a week with a salary increase. Pictured with David ‘Kochie’ Koch
Sam will no longer work Mondays, and co-anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch, 64, hasn’t worked Fridays for some time.
Consequently, Natalie hosts with Kochie on Mondays and with Sam on Fridays.
Due to her increased workload, it has been reported by TV Tonight that the newsreader is receiving a pay rise.
Read more: In this week’s Stellar Magazine