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A ruling that found the reasonable notice period for a senior employee was more than double the minimum statutory amount dispels a common myth about claims in this area, an employment lawyer says.

The SCT Operations geotechnical engineer had been employed for more 16 years when, in 2021, his role was made redundant. The employer consulted section 117 of the Fair Work Act when it calculated his entitlements, paying him five weeks' salary in lieu of notice plus 12 weeks' redundancy pay.

The employee lodged a claim arguing this was not "reasonable" notice for such a senior employee; the NSW District Court found he was contractually entitled to eight months' reasonable notice of termination, and payment of a final performance bonus...