[2025] FWC 2738
General information, not legal advice.
Fair Work Commission
2025-09-15
Original judgment source is linked above.
The attached document replaces the document previously issued with the above code on 15 September 2025.
Summary catchwords have been updated to include the word 'not'.
s.365 - Application to deal with contraventions involving dismissal
Application to deal with contraventions involving dismissal - jurisdictional question - whether applicant was dismissed or resigned - applicant found not to have been dismissed - application dismissed
"I am writing to formally resign from my position as Head Rowing Coach at Red Shed, with my last working day proposed as 13th June 2025.
After careful consideration, I believe this is the right time for me to step away to focus on my health, well-being, and future coaching opportunities.
Although I understand that my contract requires four weeks' notice, I would be grateful if we could agree on an earlier end date. I am committed to ensuring a smooth handover
and am happy to support in any way I can during this transition."
I am disappointed you have arrived at this decision but understand your need for a fresh start.
Your contribution to the Red Shed start-up phase and your commitment to helping us deliver on our mission is something I will forever value. You have had such a positive impact on all those who have come through the programs as well as the other staff and volunteers at Red Shed.
I will ask Monique to follow up on the formalities and deal with the early exit of your notice period as requested.
I am happy to be a professional and character reference for any future opportunities if required.
On behalf of Jeanette and I thank you for being part of the Red Shed story. I am sure we will see you on the water."
"Hey Beth, John shared your email. Just wanted to check something with you about bringing your last day forward before I send you a formal email, give me a buzz when you have a minute!" (My emphasis)
I'm sad to hear you'll be leaving Red Shed however, I understand and wish you all the best for what's ahead.
Please find attached a formal letter confirming our acceptance and noting today, 16 May 2025, as your final day. I tried to give you a call earlier just to check the date is mutually agreeable? If you can confirm that would be great.
Re. Collection of equipment - just let me know your preference and we can sort out next Tuesday then will process the final payroll following." (My emphasis)
"This letter confirms our acceptance of your resignation given on 16 May 2025 and the date your employment will end.
We note that as per your employment contract, you are required to provide 4 weeks' notice however you have requested for an earlier end date. The Company agrees to waive this notice period and make today your last day, should you mutually agree. Please confirm via return email." (My emphasis)
"Sorry, been travelling. No worries I flicked you an email in the car which I was just hoping to chat and make sure it worked for you first, can call at 10am!" (My emphasis)
"Hi Beth, just trying to reach you so we can confirm your resignation and timeframe. If you can call back or respond to my email that would be appreciated. Thanks" (My emphasis)
I'll be honest - I would have preferred a conversation before receiving formal confirmation, as I believe it's important to discuss these matters directly. That said, since the letter has already been sent, I feel I have little option but to accept the terms as outlined.
I can confirm that 16 May 2025 will be my final day. I've already handed in all equipment, so there's nothing further needed from my end on that front.
Thanks for your note and for confirming the 16 May as your final day. ...
Your final payroll has been processed today. I've attached a copy of the payslip here for your records. Let me know if you have any questions.
Sorry we didn't get a chance to connect by phone before you received the above email. I did try to call a few times and still happy to chat at any time now or in the future if you'd like to debrief or chat further.
Thank you for your contributions to Red Shed during our start-up phase - you helped get some great foundations in place and I'm grateful for the energy you brought to the early programs. Wishing you all the best with what's next." (My emphasis)
"The Applicant submits that her resignation was the result of the bullying and exclusion conduct by the Respondent that destroyed the trust and confidence in the employment relationship and left her with no choice but to resign. The relevant conducts [sic] include:
i. a lack of support and the Respondent's repeated challenge to the legitimacy of a valid and current Capacity to Work Certificate, issued in relation to a workplace injury;
ii. the dissemination of unfounded and defamatory statements to other employees, which caused significant damage to [her] professional reputation; and
iii. detrimental alterations to [her] role, constituting significant structural changes made in direct retaliation for [her] exercise of her entitlement to medical leave."
"I will also need to organise someone to coordinate the Corporate Regatta event on the 4th April which is fast approaching. Do you think you will be able to cover this?" (My emphasis)
"On 16 April 2025, despite having a Certificate of Capacity stating the status of my injury, and that I was unfit for work, the Respondent and the insurer they held coverage who [sic] questioned the legitimacy of my injury, rejected by Certificate of Capacity dated 15 April 2025, and demanded to be provided with another updated certificate."
"The next day, on the 9 May 2025, the I [sic] received an email from the [sic] Monique informing me that:
ii. my coach management, rostering, session planning and 'other personnel related' duties were removed;
iii. these duties were to be moved from myself to Monique and a coworker who had been acting in my role during my reduced capacity;
iv. I needed to complete a daily timesheet at 3pm each day and submit to John; and
v. Despite being medically cleared to work from home, I was instructed to avoid contact with coaches and proceed as if I were still on leave. There was no Certificate of Capacity which meaningfully change my work environment or work hours during this time."
"So there are some other tasks also issued to you within that email. Isn't it quite clear then from Monique's email that those are temporary duties?‑‑‑Yes.
Wouldn't a person reasonably assume from that, or reasonably understand that you were not assigned all of the duties in that email on a permanent basis, and once you were fully fit you would return to your original duties when you were able to perform them?‑‑‑Correct."
"On 15 May 2025, I had a meeting with Monique which primarily regarded planning and equipment purchasing for our paraplegic rowers. However, at the end of this discussion, Monique raised that it was very difficult for me to function remotely in my role. She asked: 'in the interim and even when you return for the hours that you are, how are we going to get value out of you? Because at the moment that challenge is getting value out of you that is useful'." (Italics in original)
The dissemination of unfounded and defamatory statements to other employees
(2) At a meeting on 1 April 2025, Ms Gasson had told her that some coaches had questioned why she could be travelling on Instagram but not be online for the business.
(3) Ms Gasson told her in the same meeting that she had heard that Ms Bryan was looking for another job.
"The head of rowing is a different role. We're a pretty new organisation, we only opened the doors last year and, to be honest, at the time we opened the organisation we probably only expected to need one or two full‑time staff. It's grown a lot faster and better than we could have imagined and, as part of that, having the head of rowing role was a really strategic decision to increase our rowing from kind of dawn till dusk, rather than just beginning and end of the day, like it had been happening so far."
"Although I requested for an earlier termination date, however, did not mean that I wanted to leave on the day of. Given my injury and the time, I have worked with Red Shed, I did not expect for my request to leave early to be accepted and asked to leave on the day of. I would have liked at least a week if not two to clear out my work, ensure proper handover and support and maintain a proper relationship with the rest of my colleagues. I was shocked to receive this email terminating me immediately, as Monique and I had agreed to have a meeting tomorrow, 17 May 2025 to discuss when I would want to finish before anything was formalised."
"The Applicant expressed openness to continued discussion and instead was met with the abrupt waiver of her notice and immediate termination."
"Because I'd heard about the job in Adelaide I presumed she was keen to finish pretty much straight away."
"She asked for an early termination, so I assumed she had a good reason to terminate early."

[1] Coles Supply Chain Pty Ltd v Milford (2020) 300 IR 146; [2020] FCAFC 152 at [67]. See also Lipa Pharmaceuticals Ltd v Mariam Jarouche (2023) 324 IR 375; [2023] FWCFB 101 at [4].
[2] Saeid Khayam v Navitas English Pty Ltd [2017] FWCFB 5162 at [75], citing Mohazab v Dick Smith Electronics Pty Ltd (No 2) [1995] IRCA 625; (1995) 62 IR 200
[3] Explanatory Memorandum for the Fair Work Bill at par 1530; City of Sydney RSL & Community Club Limited v Roxana Balgowan [2018] FWCFB 5 at [9] and [13]
[4] Bupa Aged Care Australia Pty Ltd v Tavassoli (2017) 271 IR 245; [2017] FWCFB 3941 at [47]
[5] Kylie Bruce v Fingal Glen Pty Ltd [2013] FWCFB 5279 at [23]
[6] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, Annexure BB18
[7] Statement of Monique Gasson, 11 July 2025, Annexure MG-11
[8] Statement of Monique Gasson, 11 July 2025, Annexure MG-14
[9] Statement of Monique Gasson, 11 July 2025, Annexure MG-15
[10] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, Annexure BB20
[11] Statement of Monique Gasson, 11 July 2025, Annexure MG-19
[12] Applicant's Outline of Submissions on Jurisdictional Objection, par 3
[14] Kylie Bruce v Fingal Glen Pty Ltd [2013] FWCFB 5279 at [23]
[15] Bupa Aged Care Australia Pty Ltd v Tavassoli (2017) 271 IR 245; [2017] FWCFB 3941 at [47]
[16] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, Annexure BB-4
[17] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, par 12
[18] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, par 28
[19] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, par 48. The email is Annexure BB-16 to that statement.
[24] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, par 17
[28] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, par 65
[29] Applicant's Outline of Submissions on Jurisdictional Objection, par 32
[36] Statement of Bethany Bryan, 18 July 2025, par 38
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
Ms Bethany Rose Bryan
Red Shed Inc [2025] FWC 2738
(2020) 300 IR 146
(2023) 324 IR 375
(1995) 62 IR 200
(2017) 271 IR 245