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It was unfair of an employer not to follow through with its promise to discuss dismissal alternatives with a vaccine-hesitant worker, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.

In October last year, Regional Express Holdings invited the long-serving pilot to show cause as to why he shouldn't be sacked for failing to receive two COVID-19 vaccinations.

As part of this show-cause notice, the employer said it might allow him to access annual or long-service leave while the "issue" was being resolved, and that it would "explore options" with him, which could include alternative duties.

The employee said he wasn't opposed to getting the jab; rather he was experiencing "extreme hesitancy" following a close friend's death after having a vaccination...