Log in or become a subscriber

An employee has won nearly $20k compensation after her employer summarily dismissed her, with the Fair Work Commission finding it failed to properly investigate allegations that her bullying behaviour caused three colleagues to resign.

Specialist Neurology Services sacked the medical administration assistant in July this year for "repeated bullying and intimidation of other staff that has resulted in a toxic work environment", claiming her behaviour "directly" led to the resignation of three staff members.

But in unfair dismissal proceedings, Commissioner Stephen Crawford awarded the employee $19,440 less tax, plus $2,138 in superannuation, finding the employer had no reasonable grounds for the immediate dismissal, because it hadn't formally investigated the allegations, nor given her an opportunity to respond...