Fair Work reminds us: keeping evidence is key in unfair dismissal cases.
Case Overview
Unfair Dismissal Claim
Allegation
Piacentini & Sons Pty Ltd, a mining and earthmoving service provider, alleged that Gardner, a Production Supervisor was found asleep at work on August 7 and 8, 2023, and was uncontactable via two-way radio.
Gardner was dismissed after the business carried out an investigation.
Gardner rejected the accusations and argued that his firing was unfair by lodging an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission.
Evidences and Witness Accounts
Gardner and multiple Piacentini employees presented conflicting testimonies.
Gardner stated he was not asleep but rather engaged in work-related tasks.
Piacentini's witnesses, including Gardner's supervisor Daniel Brazier, alleged Gardner was asleep in his vehicle and crib room on respective dates.
Investigation and Termination Process
Piacentini conducted an investigation, leading to Gardner's temporary suspension.
Gardner requested dashcam footage to support his innocence.
A show-cause letter was issued, demanding Gardner's explanation.
Gardner denied the allegations.
However, the retrieved dashcam footage (when retrieved) only dated back to August 14, 2023.
Gardner received termination notification via email on September 14, 2023, citing policy breaches and trust issues.
Employer's Evidence Mishandling
Gardner criticised the investigation's deficiencies, particularly the delay in accessing dashcam footage.
The FWC acknowledged flaws in the employer's investigation, including substantiating allegations before Gardner's response opportunity.
Failure to interview other staff and retrieve crucial evidence in time impacted the investigation's integrity.
FWC Ruling
The FWC deemed the dismissal harsh, unjust, and unreasonable, necessitating further hearings for remedies.
You can find more detail about this case here.
Action Steps
Implement robust systems for recording incidents, including gathering evidence such as CCTV footage or witness statements promptly.
Follow established protocols for investigations set in your policies, including interviewing all relevant parties and ensuring transparency throughout the process.
Establish clear channels for employees to raise grievances and ensure timely responses to such issues to prevent escalation.
Stay updated with relevant employment laws and regulations, reach out early in the process to ensure compliance and minimise legal risks
Stay tuned for more HR tips and subscribe
DISCLAIMER:
The content provided on this website serves as a general information resource on the subjects discussed, and should not be considered tailored to specific individual circumstances or a replacement for legal counsel. While we exert significant effort to ensure the accuracy of our information, HR Consulting TAS cannot ensure that all content on this website is consistently accurate, exhaustive, or current. Recommendations by HR Consulting TAS and any information acquired from this website should not be regarded as legal advice.
Commentaires