Fair Work Act 2009

s.394 - Unfair dismissal

Application for an unfair dismissal remedy - dismissal under s.587(1)(c) at the Commission's initiative for want of prosecution.

• [1] On 21 January 2025, Mrs Shineelta Shankaran made an unfair dismissal application to the Fair Work Commission under s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

• [2] Mrs Shankaran's application raised a concern about whether her application was filed within the 21 day time limit.

• [3] Commission staff tried to contact Mrs Shankaran on 6 February and 18 February 2025 by email and SMS about this concern. Mrs Shankaran has not responded to the Commission's correspondence.

• [4] Section 587 allows the Commission to dismiss an application on the Commission's own initiative in the early stages of the proceedings for want of prosecution. If an applicant's conduct or omissions show that they are no longer willing to participate in their own case the Commission is not required to persevere with the application (see Viavattene v Health Care Australia [2013] FWCFB 2532 at [39]).

• [5] I am satisfied that Mrs Shankaran has had the opportunity to put a case for consideration on all matters material to the decision to dismiss the application under s.587. In the circumstances I am satisfied that the facility under s.587 can and should be engaged to dismiss Mrs Shankaran's application. I make the following order:

1. The application under s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) made by Mrs Shineelta Shankaran on 22 January 2025 is dismissed.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer