[2025] FWC 115
General information, not legal advice.
Fair Work Commission
2025-03-19
Original judgment source is linked above.
s.394 - Application for unfair dismissal remedy
Application for an unfair dismissal remedy - jurisdictional objection - not dismissed - repudiation - forced to resign
(a) the Applicant was represented by Mr Gary Dircks, a paid agent; and
(b) the Respondent was represented by Mr Charles Pym, a barrister.
MR 5 - Emails outlining continued unfair treatment and breach of FWC agreement terms
MR 6 - Correspondence with management about issues with allocated work
MR 7 - Emails regarding LinkedIn post publicising my absence from my side
a) an email from Emma Thaus to the Applicant dated 22 August 2024. This was marked as Exhibit 6 in these proceedings.
b) a position description for the role of education coordinator. This was marked as Exhibit 7 in these proceedings.
(b) Through periods in 2020 and 2021, the Applicant worked remotely as required by COVID health restrictions applicable at the time.
(l) On 12 January 2024, the Applicant met with the Respondent's Executive Director of People, Culture and Communication, Ms Sandy Schutte about the matters he raised on 15 November 2023. The Applicant alleged bullying, but did not identify anyone as an alleged bully.
(m) The Applicant did not access the anti-bullying policies and procedures of the Respondent.
(o) On 19 February 2024 the Applicant commenced periods of personal leave. He was absent from work from approximately May to July 2024. Because the Applicant was on personal leave, Mr Nolan took over the role of WeLearn Coordinator.
(q) On 27 May 2024 the Applicant provided the Respondent with a Certificate of Capacity. It provided that,
"Recommended [return to work], with 2 days per week for 4 weeks, in different team, to avoid as much as possible the contact with previous team."[15]
(r) On 20 June 2024 the Applicant provided the Respondent with a Certificate of Capacity. It provided that,
"Recommended [return to work], with 2 days per week for 4 weeks with the same previous job with recommended support."[16]
(s) On 1 July 2024, the Applicant filed a stop-bullying application in the Fair Work Commission.
(u) On 24 July 2024, Commissioner Lee, who had carriage of the stop-bullying application, issued a recommendation in the following terms:
"[2] The Applicant will return to work subject to the specified modifications by his treating medical practitioner, i.e. 2 days per week.
[3] The Applicant will return to his previous role.
[4] An external person will be appointed to review the Applicant's workload claims.
[5] The Applicant will participate in an investigation of the allegations against him raised by Ms Saini upon his return to work...."
(y) Noting the terms of the Applicant's Certificate of Capacity, 4 weeks from his return date was 3 September 2024. From 3 September 2024, without objection by the Applicant, he continued to work 2 days per week from home.
(bb) On 2 September 2024, the Applicant filed another stop-bullying application. On 8 October 2024 that application was dismissed by Commissioner Lee on the basis that it had no prospects of success.
(cc) On 16 September 2024 the Applicant also filed a general protections application.
".... It is with regret that I submit my resignation from my role as WeLearn Coordinator, effective 10th October 2024. This decision follows sustained unfair and discriminatory treatment and retaliation after my workplace mental health injury, which has made it impossible for me to continue in my role.
The key actions taken by Western Health that have led me to this difficult decision include:
After five years of dedication, passion and hard work, I have contributed to uplifting the digital learning function of Western Health. However, the unfair treatment, lack of support and retaliatory actions over the past few years have been (sic) severely impacted my career and well-being.
The cumulative effects of these actions have left me with no choice but to resign....
(gg) Western Health did not require the Applicant to work out his notice period. He was paid 2 weeks' pay in lieu of notice.
"382 When a person is protected from unfair dismissal
A person is protected from unfair dismissal at a time if, at that time:
(a) the person is an employee who has completed a period of employment with his or her employer of at least the minimum employment period; and
(ii) an enterprise agreement applies to the person in relation to the employment;
(iii) the sum of the person's annual rate of earnings, and such other amounts (if any) worked out in relation to the person in accordance with the regulations, is less than the high income threshold.
A person has been unfairly dismissed if the FWC is satisfied that:
(b) the dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable; and
(c) the dismissal was not consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code; and
(d) the dismissal was not a case of genuine redundancy.
(a) the person's employment with his or her employer has been terminated on the employer's initiative; or
(b) the person has resigned from his or her employment, but was forced to do so because of conduct, or a course of conduct, engaged in by his or her employer."
a) The Respondent's "failure to return the Applicant to his substantive role as the WeLearn Coordinator (thereby breaching his employment contract)"; and
b) "Other actions including blocking the Applicant's return to work causing the applicant substantial period of unpaid leave and failure to abide by some recommendations of Commissioner Lee made on 24 July 2024 (re AB2024/435).
a) Failure to implement the underperformance management policy when handling Ms Saini's performance and behaviour issue,
b) Rejection of my flexible work arrangement application to care for my ill mother in September 2023,
c) Unfair mediation process, led by Ms Hill,
d) Western Health blocked my return to work after my mental health injury forcing me to go on unpaid leave for an extended period of time,
e) Western Health failed to allow me to return to my substantive role by imposing unfair restrictions and altering my role, and
a) failed to implement underperformance management of Ms Saini. There was no evidence before me that Ms Saini needed performance management.
b) Unreasonably rejected the Applicant's flexible work requests to care for his ill mother. The factual findings above support a conclusion that Western Health was generous to the Applicant in its approach to his personal circumstances. From October 2023 the Applicant only attended onsite if requested to do so. This rarely, if every, occurred.
c) Conducted unfairly a mediation process to be led by Ms Hill. A decision was made to terminate a proposed mediation process. There is no evidence before me that the decision was unreasonable in all the circumstances.
"... [the Applicant's] case is pretty clear. The case is there's a recommendation made by Commissioner Lee and Western Health didn't comply with it ... I can tell you that, as a member of this Commission and with the respect I hold for Commissioner Lee, it exercises my mind greatly that it [might be said to] appear on the materials before me that Western Health didn't comply with that recommendation".[33]
I am of course honoured by the appointment. I have a deep and abiding respect for the Commission. Alongside the Commonwealth parliament, the Commonwealth government and the High Court, this Commission, which can trace its history back to 1904, is one of our nation's oldest institutions. It is also one of the most important, noting the significant role it has played in our social, economic and political history, having established the minimum wage system, annual leave, sick leave, parental leave, ordinary working hours, equal pay for women and for Aboriginal workers and, with some initial reluctance, enterprise bargaining.
For 109 years it has provided a means for employers, employer associations, trade unions and employees to settle disputes.[34]
a) was entitled to accept the conduct of Western Health as a repudiation of his contract of employment; and/or
b) had no choice but to resign.
may refer to conduct which evinces an unwillingness or an inability to render substantial performance of the contract. This is sometimes described as conduct of a party which evinces an intention no longer to be bound by the contract or to fulfil it only in a manner substantially inconsistent with the party's obligations. It be may termed renunciation. The test is whether the conduct of one party is such as to convey to a reasonable person, in the situation of the other party, renunciation either of the contract as a whole or of a fundamental obligation under it.
a) a termination is at the employer's initiative when:
- the employer's action 'directly and consequentially' results in the termination of employment, and
a) On 6 August 2024 the Applicant returned to work.
e) Consistent with Lee C's recommendation, on 26 July 2024, an external person was appointed to review the Applicant's workload claims.
f) Without objection by the Applicant, he was requested to work from home while the investigation was underway.
g) The Applicant was twice interviewed by the external investigator.
Did Western Health repudiate the contract of employment with Mr Rustom or otherwise engage in a course of conduct that forced the Applicant to resign?
a) remuneration (it remained the same);
b) status (he remained the WeLearn Coordinator); or
c) responsibilities (all changes made to his responsibilities are explained by his ability to work only 2 days per week).
Mr Charles Pym of Counsel, instructed by Ms Georgina Pattas of Minter Ellison, for the Respondent
[5] Exhibit 3.2, Statement of Robyn Peel, para 14 (DTB, p 43). As accepted by the Applicant at Transcript PN491-495.
[7] Annexure RP-11 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[8] Annexure RP-12 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[9] Annexure RP-13 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[10] Annexure RP-15 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[11] Annexure RP-7 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[12] Annexure RP-9 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[13] Annexure RP-17 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[14] Annexure DH-8 to Exhibit 3.1, Witness Statement of Debra Hill.
[15] Annexure RP-20 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[16] Annexure RP-21 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[17] Annexure RP-22 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[18] This was confirmed with the Applicant by email from Ms Hill on 29 August 2024 (Annexure DH-11 to the Statement of Debra Hill).
[19] Annexure DH-11 to the Statement of Debra Hill (DTB p 251).
[22] Annexure RP-23 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[23] Annexure RP-23 (DTB p 149) to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[24] Exhibit 6, an email from Emma Thaus to the Applicant dated 22 August 2024.
[25] Annexure MR-7 to Exhibit 4.2, Witness Statement of Majd Rustom.
[26] Annexure RP-3 to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[35] Section 577(1)(b) Fair Work Act 2009.
[38] (2010) VSC 621 (22 December 2010).
[40] Mohazab v Dick Smith Electronics Pty Ltd (No 2) [1995] IRCA 645 (29 November 1995), [(1995) 62 IR 200 at p. 205].
[41] Barkla v G4S Custodial Services Pty Ltd [2011] FWAFB 3769 (Watson VP, O'Callaghan SDP, Cargill C, 8 July 2011) at para. 24, [(2011) 212 IR 248]; citing O'Meara v Stanley Works Pty Ltd PR973462 (AIRCFB, Giudice J, Watson VP, Cribb C, 11 August 2006) at para. 23, [(2006) 58 AILR 100].
[42] Pawel v Advanced Precast Pty Ltd Print S5904 (AIRCFB, Polites SDP, Watson SDP, Gay C, 12 May 2000).
[43] O'Meara v Stanley Works Pty Ltd PR973462 (AIRCFB, Giudice J, Watson VP, Cribb C, 11 August 2006) at para. 23, [(2006) 58 AILR 100].; citing Pawel v Advanced Precast Pty Ltd Print S5904 (AIRCFB, Polites SDP, Watson SDP, Gay C, 12 May 2000); Mohazab v Dick Smith Electronics Pty Ltd (No 2) [1995] IRCA 645 (29 November 1995), [(1995) 62 IR 200]; ABB Engineering Construction Pty Ltd v Doumit Print N6999 (AIRCFB, Munro J, Duncan DP, Merriman C, 9 December 1996).
[44] Mohazab v Dick Smith Electronics Pty Ltd (No 2) [1995] IRCA 645 (29 November 1995), [(1995) 62 IR 200 at p. 206].
[45] Australian Hearing v Peary [2009] AIRCFB 680 (Giudice J, Kaufman SDP, Larkin C, 28 July 2009) at para. 30, [(2009) 185 IR 359].
[47] O'Meara v Stanley Works Pty Ltd PR973462 (AIRCFB, Giudice J, Watson VP, Cribb C, 11 August 2006) at para. 23, [(2006) 58 AILR 100].
[48] Doumit v ABB Engineering Construction Pty Ltd Print N6999 (AIRCFB, Munro J, Duncan DP, Merriman C, 9 December 1996).
[52] Annexure RP-23 (DTB p 149) to Exhibit 3.2, Witness Statement of Robyn Peel.
[53] Exhibit 6, an email from Emma Thaus to the Applicant dated 22 August 2024.
[54] Annexure MR-7 to Exhibit 4.2, Witness Statement of Majd Rustom.
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
Majd Rustom
Western Health [2025] FWC 115
(2010) 26 VR 668
(2009) 185 IR 359
(1995) 62 IR 200
(2011) 212 IR 248