[2025] FWC 3285
General information, not legal advice.
Fair Work Commission
2025-12-04
Original judgment source is linked above.
[2025] FWC 3285 [Note: a correction has been issued to this document]
s.394 - Unfair dismissal
s.739 - Dispute resolution
Application for order to produce documents- whether claim for legal professional privilege - whether privilege waived - order for production issued
13.6 Unsatisfactory Work Performance and Behaviour
a) For matters involving unsatisfactory work performance or behaviour, disciplinary action will be consistent with the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice.
b) The Employer will advise the Employee of the concerns in question and any allegation in writing. Where applicable, the Employer will also provide the Employee with any relevant material which forms the basis of the concerns.
The purpose of this Workplace Grievance and Misconduct Procedure is to promote workplace
harmony and reduce conflict by providing a clear and effective way for all employees to raise and resolve grievances.
cohealth is committed to ensuring a safe and professional work environment and ethical work
cohealth will respond with due seriousness and urgency to performance or behaviour which
constitutes misconduct or serious misconduct and the resolution of formal and informal grievances through a fair and consistent process, in line with the principles of natural justice.
This procedure establishes cohealth principles and processes for responding to allegations of
misconduct, serious misconduct, and the resolution of grievances
This procedure is applicable to all cohealth staff, contractors, students and volunteers.
1. Misconduct and Serious Misconduct Procedure
The formal investigation may be conducted by an internal or external investigative officer in close consultation with the Management representative and a People Operations Business Partner. The investigation will be undertaken with the utmost discretion and confidentiality and is to be completed within 28 days from the agreed commencement date of the investigation.
The Management representative and the People Operations Business Partner will ensure all parties
are kept informed of time frames and actions. The People Operations Business Partner will provide
written confirmation of closure of the investigation.
If a resolution is not reached through a formal process, the matter may be referred to the Director
Workforce Operations if further action or discipline is required.
Where disciplinary action is the outcome following a workplace investigation, an employee may be
able to appeal to have their case reviewed. The employee is to state formally in writing why they
believe there should be an appeal process, clearly articulated why the conclusions drawn from the
The appeal will be review by an alternative third party who will be appointed to review the
investigation report and supporting documents to confirm that the conclusions drawn were sound
and substantiated by the evidence, or to overrule them.
43. On 21 August 2024, cohealth instructed Lander & Rogers to engage Mr Daniel Fawcett of Counsel (Mr Fawcett) to conduct a workplace investigation into the Complaint (Workplace Investigation)
Investigation for cohealth Ltd - Terms of Reference
(a) review the Complaint and the relevant materials from the Internal Investigation;
(b) via our firm, request any additional material required;
(c) identify potential breaches by Mr Crafti of cohealth's policies or procedures, and the cohealth Code of Conduct;
(d) identify any witnesses (including potential respondents to any alleged breaches of policies or procedures) required for interview;
(e) in consultation with our firm, draft allegations against Mr Crafti by reference to potential breaches of cohealth's policies or procedures. We expect this is likely to involve the following materials:
(i) cohealth's Code of Conduct; and
(ii) Workplace Grievance and Misconduct Procedure.
(f) investigate and make findings of fact regarding the allegations in accordance with the below process;
(g) provide an investigation report to our firm which:
(i) consolidates all of the material gathered during the investigation process;
(ii) summarises and details the allegations;
(iii) outlines the investigation process;
(iv) in relation to the allegations, sets out your findings as to whether the allegations are substantiated, partially substantiated, not substantiated or unable to be determined, and the relevant evidence relied on to support your views;
(v) expresses a view on whether any substantiated allegations would be in breach of Mr Crafti's employment obligations pursuant to cohealth's policies and procedures;
(vi) includes all relevant attachments, such as transcripts of interviews and/or witness statements; and
(vii) is signed and dated.
cohealth write to you as James's representative, following on from James's email below whilst noting the dispute resolution procedure has been enlivened, which is being dealt with as a separate matter.
cohealth rejects there has been a denial of procedural fairness in this matter. The principles of procedural fairness/natural justice require: an unbiased investigator/decision-maker; a person to be provided with sufficient particulars to be able to respond to an allegation; and the opportunity to respond to the allegation/s, which have been afforded in this instance.
cohealth deems it entirely appropriate to continue the investigation and reach a concluded view about the conduct. However, given the concerns that have been raised in relation to the investigation to date and due to the serious nature of the allegations, cohealth has made the decision to engage an external independent investigator to finalise the investigation on our behalf.
cohealth will be in touch with you in due course to outline the next steps in relation to this matter.
56. The purpose of engaging Mr Fawcett was so that he could make up his own mind about whether or not the allegations were substantiated after speaking to all of the relevant witnesses.
Confidential investigation - Notice of allegations
Thank you for attending the meeting on 25 October 2024 and 21 November 2024 with investigator Mr. Daniel Fawcett, where your response was sought in relation to alleged misconduct following a complaint received from a client on 26 June 2024. Outlined below are the substantiated allegations, the supporting evidence, as well as Mr. Fawcett's findings:
Outlined below are the substantiated allegations, the supporting evidence, as well as Mr. Fawcett's findings:
Allegation 1 - Mr Crafti banged on the bathroom door six times, and in a loud
manner, while [Redacted] was showering in the bathroom.
The Evidence - Mr. Fawcett has reviewed the evidence provided during the course
of the investigation and has determined that you banged on the bathroom door six
times, and in a loud manner while [Redacted] was showering in the bathroom.
Finding - Substantiated - This allegation is substantiated by your statement and the
Mr Fawcett has determined that Allegations 3, 4, 5 and 6 were not able to be substantiated due to an absence of evidence supporting the allegations.
The above substantiated allegations are in breach of the cohealth Code of Conduct,
• The cohealth principle of Impartiality: Treat all people fairly
• The cohealth principle of Integrity: Maintain public trust by acting in the public
• The cohealth principle of Accountability: Accept a high level of responsibility
to staff, colleagues and clients in the management of resources and delivery
• The cohealth principle of Responsive Service: Provide a relevant and timely
service to clients. Provide information to which a person is entitled, promptly
and in an easily understood form. Make sure it is accurate, current and
o Staff must adhere to cohealth's human rights based approach and
contribute to culturally safe and inclusive work environments and
services, where people of all gender identities, sexualities, ages,
abilities, faiths and cultural backgrounds are respected.
o Treat all people with whom staff have contact in the course of your
o Act with propriety and be able to demonstrate this in relation to any
advice or service you give. You must be able to justify any decisions you
Given the findings to the above allegations, including the breach of the cohealth Code of Conduct, along with the cohealth Workplace Grievance and Misconduct Policy, and due to the nature of the substantiated allegations towards a client you are being issued with a Written Warning in relation to your misconduct. This Written Warning will stay on your file for a period of twelve months.
Your conduct requires immediate improvement. This warning has been reviewed and endorsed at Executive level as outlined in the Workplace Grievance and Misconduct Policy.
In addition to the warning, you will be placed on a Performance Improvement Plan to support you in engaging in respectful communication and interactions with clients. You are expected to return to site based duties on 9 January 2025, where this Performance Improvement Plan will be shared with you and implemented.
We request that the process and findings of this investigation remain confidential and are only discussed with those outlined in this letter.
Find below a response to the concerns and queries adopting the headings in your email.
cohealth does not agree that there has been a failure in the process and is confident in the accuracy, integrity and robustness of the investigation and disciplinary process. The decision to issue you a warning and place on you on a performance improvement plan was determined at the executive level at cohealth based on an review of the investigation findings.
Again, cohealth is confident in the findings of the investigation, and that the substantiated allegations constitute a breach of the cohealth Code of Conduct. The specific breaches of the cohealth Code of Conduct were detailed in the Investigation Outcome Letter provided to you.
Your request for an appeal of the outcome decision is noted. cohealth will arrange for an independent internal review of the investigation materials and disciplinary action and let you know of the outcome.
The appeal will be undertaken under clause 9 of the Workplace Grievance and Misconduct procedure, copied below for your reference. I am presuming that your email is designed to meet the requirements of "The employee is to state formally in writing why they believe there should be an appeal process, clearly articulated why the conclusions drawn from the investigation were not valid", but please let me know if this is incorrect and you wish to add any further information.
Clause 9. Appeals Process - cohealth Workplace Grievance and Misconduct Procedure
Where disciplinary action is the outcome following a workplace investigation, an employee may be able to appeal to have their case reviewed. The employee is to state formally in writing why they believe there should be an appeal process, clearly articulated why the conclusions drawn from the investigation were not valid.
The appeal will be review by an alternative third party who will be appointed to review the investigation report and supporting documents to confirm that the conclusions drawn were sound and substantiated by the evidence, or to overrule them.
The direction to maintain the confidentiality of the investigation, the findings and disciplinary outcome remains in place. On your return to work the participants in any performance improvement plan will be outlined to you, and you are permitted to discuss the performance improvement plan with them.
With respect to the correct procedure in dealing with clients who are taking a shower, please consult with your manager.
After thinking over the last few days and receiving advice I am putting forward the following.
As mentioned to Sally, I am seeking an appeal to the disciplinary findings. 13.6(b) of the EA clearly states 'Where applicable, the Employer will also provide the Employee with any relevant material which forms the basis of the concerns.' I should have received that (and been given a chance to respond) prior to the previous outcomes, I also need them now. Allegation 1 was allegedly substantiated by the statement of the Ms XXXX (which I still don't have) and allegation 7 doesn't even provide any evidence, it just says that it is based on the 'evidence provided during the course of the investigation.' Please provide the relevant materials so I can prepare my response. Given that, the last person who made a decision had access to a full investigation report (which I have not had access to) really I should have that. However at bare minimum, I should have access to all material which forms the basis of concern, which should also be the only evidence provided to the person reviewing the appeal. Because if it doesn't demonstrate concern, why would the decision maker have access to it? And if it is of concern then I have a right to see it as per the EA
In response to the issues raised in your below email.
Thank you for providing further information about your appeal. These will be provided to the decision-maker, who will make their decision prior to your return to work on 9 January 2025.
You will not be provided with the investigation report or other any materials used in the investigation.
(1) Legal professional privilege is a right belonging to the client, not the lawyer or any relevant third party.
(2) Legal professional privilege protects confidential communications rather than documents as such, and it is the nature of the communication within the document which determines whether or not the privilege attaches.
(3) A client making a claim of privilege carries the onus of establishing its claim.
(4) The "dominant purpose" for a communication is its "ruling, prevailing, paramount or most influential purpose", and is not merely the "primary" or "substantial" purpose.
(5) A communication in a document brought into existence for the dominant purpose of a client being provided with professional legal services will be privileged notwithstanding that some ancillary or subsidiary use of the document was contemplated at the time.
(6) What is the dominant purpose is a question of fact, to be determined objectively.
(7) An appropriate starting point when applying the dominant purpose test is to ask what was the intended use or uses of the document which accounted for it being brought into existence.
(8) Usually the purpose of a document will be that of the maker of the document, but in some cases it will be the purpose of the person who called the document into existence, such as a solicitor commissioning the provision of a technical report.
(9) Conduct inconsistent with the maintenance of the confidentiality which legal professional privilege is intended to protect may give rise to an imputed waiver of the privilege. Whether inconsistent conduct gives rise to waiver is informed by notions of fairness. Questions of waiver are matters of fact and degree.
Whether Satisfied that Privileged Purpose was Dominant Purpose
'Waiver may be express or implied. Disputes as to implied waiver usually arise from the need to decide whether particular conduct is inconsistent with the maintenance of the confidentiality which the privilege is intended to protect. When an affirmative answer is given to such a question, it is sometimes said that waiver is 'imputed by operation of law'. This means that the law recognises the inconsistency and determines its consequences, even though such consequences may not reflect the subjective intention of the party who has lost the privilege. ... What brings about the waiver is the inconsistency, which the courts, where necessary informed by considerations of fairness, perceive, between the conduct of the client and maintenance of the confidentiality; not some overriding principle of fairness operating at large.'
A procedurally fair workplace investigation initiated by an employer the outcome of which is intended to be made known to relevant employees in the workplace and which is to lead, where necessary, to corrective or disciplinary action is not one which ordinarily has a purpose confidential to the employer.
[1] Mr Crafti sought other categories of documents in his Application for an Order for Production of Documents. Those other categories were separately dealt with and an order issued requiring production of certain categories of documents, being categories in respect of which cohealth did not object to production based on client legal privilege.
[2] The associated materials in respect of which Mr Crafti seeks production (in addition to the Fawcett Report) are identified in par [44] by Mr Crafti in Applicant's Response to the Respondent's Outline of Submissions on Client Legal Privilege dated 10 October 2025. The additional documents are "2. All documents (including copies of summaries of interview and draft investigation reports). This will also include the 'regular confidential reports to the nominated contact person [Ms Mizzi]". 3. The report provided to cohealth from Lander and Rogers containing a summary finding and recommendations."
[3] Respondent's Outline of Submissions dated 24 September 2025 par [7], items 1 and 2.
[4] Respondent's Outline of Submissions on Client Legal Privilege dated 7 October 2025 par [10]
[6] SM-4; SM-6; SM-7; Email from Mizzi to Crafti dated 1 August 2024 at SM-9
[9] Mizzi Statement [30]; SM-6. The letter of 23 July 20024 is signed by cohealth's Director - Community Based Drug and Alcohol Response.
[10] The Workplace Grievance and Misconduct Procedure is an attachment to SM-6
[18] Calum Woods Statement [9] and CW-1
[19] SM-10. The email from Ms Mizzi to Mr Daruwalla of 23 August 2024 is within the chain of emails in SM-10.
[35] Damien Stephen v Seahill Enterprises Pty Ltd & Denise Fitzgibbons [2021] FWCFB 2623 at [63]
[36] Robertson v Singtel Optus Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 1392 at [89] - [90]. An application for leave to appeal was refused in Singtel Optus v Robertson [2024] FCAFC 58.
[37] Robertson v Singtel Optus Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 1392 at [135].
[38] Mann v Carnell [1999] HCA 66; (1999) 201 CLR 1 at [29] Gleeson CJ, Gaudron, Gummow and Callinan JJ
[40] See Tainsh v Co-Operative Bulk Handling [2021] FWC 3381
[41] Respondent's Outline of Submissions on Client Legal Privilege dated 7 October 2025 par [27].
[42] Respondent's Outline of Submissions on Client Legal Privilege dated 7 October 2025 at [26] & [27].
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
James Crafti
Cohealth Limited [2025] FWC 3285
(1999) 201 CLR 1