A West Australian radio boss who says she keeps a jar of free condoms in the office for staff has been defended by former employees . Southern Cross Austereo general manager Linda Wayman told a conference in Perth last week that 35 per cent of her staff were either on maternity leave or covering those on leave . Ms Wayman said there was a big jar of condoms at work and she encouraged people to have protected sex . Chief executive Rhys Holleran said Ms Wayman 's comments were made 'tongue in cheek ' while former colleagues defended her as a 'supportive boss ' in the wake of widespread condom controversy . One of Southern Cross Austereo 's senior executives Linda Wayman told a conference on Thursday that 'We do have a big jar of condoms at work . I 'm not lying , I 'm not exaggerating ' It is allegedly vital for Ms Wayman to prevent pregnancies amongst her staff members . 'That is a big area of focus for me , encouraging people to have sex with condoms , ' she said . 'We do have a big jar of condoms at work . I 'm not lying , I 'm not exaggerating , ' she said , according to Mumbrella . ' I do encourage people regularly , to have sex with condoms.That is a big area of focus for me , encouraging people to have sex with condoms . ' To emphasise the impact on the company , Ms Wayman told the audience that one third of her 100 staff members are either on maternity leave or covering for someone who has just had a child . She also allegedly told the Mumbrella Perth conference that she has reservations about the entitlements that new mothers receive when re-entering the workforce . Ms Wayman also said she did n't agree with the union push that women returning from maternity leave should come back part-time automatically because it was an idealistic and anti-commercial stance , however maternity contracts played an important role in developing young talent . The radio boss said she believed in flexible working arrangements but they were difficult to arrange in the 24-hour media industry . ' I 've been in the same position myself twice and it is very , very tough , ' she said . 'There 's no such thing as a work/life balance , it 's bulls**t - you just do it . 'You make the decision and do the best you can , and as a leader , I do the best I can to help women and men who have made those decisions as well . ' Ms Wayman told the audience that of her 100 staff a third are either on maternity leave or covering for someone who has just had a child to emphasise the impact on the company . However , Ms Wayman 's comments , which drew laughter and applause at the conference , attracted criticism after they were reported on Thursday . Former employees jumped to her defence , describing her as a supportive boss . Perth TV reporter Lisa Fernandez told AAP Ms Wayman was 'tremendous ' when she fell pregnant at the start of her two-year contract at radio station Mix 94.5 . 'She said `` do n't even worry , we will make this work , we will help you all we can '' , ' Ms Fernandez said . 'She always came in to check that I was getting home OK on time to see the baby and she would always check in with me to say `` is everything OK ? '' . ' Ms Fernandez said Ms Wayman 's door was always open to talk about any sort of parenting issue and she would bend over backwards to help employees , such as letting them leave early or getting them into a job-sharing role . Fairfax Media 6PR breakfast presenter Basil Zempilas tweeted he had never seen a boss more supportive of women in the workplace than Ms Wayman . Ms Wayman said that she has reservations about the entitlements that new mothers receive when re-entering the workforce , calling them 'idealistic and anti-commercial ' Southern Cross Austereo 's CEO Rhys Holleran said that Ms Wayman 's comments were not intended to be taken seriously . Southern Cross Austereo 's CEO Rhys Holleran defeneded Ms Wayman , insisting that her comments were not meant to have been taken seriously . 'Clearly these remarks were made `` tongue in cheek '' , ' , Mr Holleran said in the statement . 'Linda is one of our most highly recognised and awarded General Managers . 'She has an exemplary record as one of Perth 's most compassionate advocates on all issues surrounding equality of women in the workforce . ' Another SCA Perth staff member , who preferred not to be named , told Daily Mail Australia that the reports are sad and not a true reflection of the General Manager 's attitude towards women in the work force . 'Linda is a great advocate for women 's issues so this is so unfortunate , ' the SCA employee said . 'She is highly respected and wonderful in her role . ' The SCA CEO said the comments are tongue in cheek and ' ( Wayman ) has an exemplary record as one of Perth 's most compassionate advocates on all issues surrounding equality of women in the workforce ' Ms Wayman also allegedly told the conference that 'work-life balance ' is bulls**t .
Southern Cross Austereo senior executive Linda Wayman spoke at a Mumbrella Perth conference . She allegedly said that she provides large jars of condoms in the office in an attempt to prevent pregnancies amongst staff members . Former colleagues have defended Ms Wayman after her comments attracted criticism . They described Ms Wayman as a 'supportive boss ' Ms Wayman also said legislation supporting women 's return to workforce after maternity leave is 'idealistic and anti-commercial ' She alleged that one third of her offices are affected by maternity leave . SCA CEO says that the comments were not meant to be taken seriously .