The controversial departure of the boss of struggling discount retailer Big W has dealt another blow to consumer giant Woolworths.
Big W managing director Alistair McGeorge has resigned for health reasons, Woolworths said, but the company also revealed he has been the subject of complaints about his workplace behaviour.
"The behaviour was verbal in nature," Woolworths said.
"This complaint has been investigated and finalised and for legal reasons we are unable to make any further comment on this matter."
Mr McGeorge, 55, is the latest in a string of departures from Woolworths, which also owns the Dan Murphy's liquor business and Masters hardware chain.
Chief executive Grant O'Brien announced in June his intention to resign once a replacement could be found, as Woolworths flagged a drop in profit and tripled the size of planned job cuts to 1,200.
Among other senior personnel to depart in 2015 are supermarkets director Tjeerd Jegen, supermarkets finance director Martyn Roberts and chief marketing officer Tony Phillips.
Mr McGeorge was head of Big W for just over a year, and was recruited for his experience as executive chairman of UK fashion retailer New Look.
He was overseeing a major overhaul of the discount retailer, which has been losing ground to rival Kmart, and posted a loss of $38.5 million in the first half of the 2014/15 year.
Supply chain changes, job cuts and a clearance of stock are key factors in Woolworths' plan to return the business to profit growth in 2015/16.
Woolworths reports its financial results for the 2014/15 year on August 28.
Its shares were down 15 cents at $26.42 at 1420 AEST.
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