An academic found to have been unlawfully dismissed by James Cook University over criticisms of prominent climate research has been awarded more than $1.2 million, the presiding judge excoriating the institution over its "egregious abuse of power" and public statements intended to "sow doubt" about his findings.
Two excavator operators who allegedly belittled trainees with "foul tirades" that left them so shaken one walked off the job have won compensation, the FWC finding their dismissal was procedurally unfair.
A senior FWC member has cautioned companies against sending dismissal decisions "up the line" without revealing the final signatory's name, observing such opacity could influence whether the process is found to be fair.
The FWC has upheld the dismissal of a BP technician who created and shared a Hitler parody video of the company's protracted bargaining with oil refinery workers, finding he depicted senior managers as Nazis and referenced details known only to those involved.
A "very bad" employer who used a website builder's alleged probationary period to sack her without warning must pay $20,000 in compensation, the WA IRC has found.
In a decision highlighting the FWC's occasionally challenging balancing act when weighing procedural fairness against business circumstances, the tribunal has found that while a small real estate employer failed to genuinely consult with an employee, his dismissal wasn't unfair because the company's changed operational requirements meant his role was no longer needed.
A self-represented adverse action applicant will be able to submit an amended statement of claim following a full Federal Court finding that he was last year denied a fair hearing by an "aggressive, rude and overbearing" judge.
The FWC has upheld the sacking of a sales assistant for serious misconduct that included s-xual harassment and threatening colleagues, while conceding the employer could have done a better job of responding to emerging signs of changes in his behaviour.
The FWC has found that a church worker was unfairly dismissed when she failed to secure a new role in a restructure, in part because of her fast-held views on same-sex marriage.
The addition of 'human resources' to an acting health and safety advisor's job title has helped persuade the FWC that a council can rely on its own employees rather than external legal representation to defend an unfair dismissal case.