In a recent decision of the
On
Following the Workshop, Westpac organised a networking event (Sundowner) for all attendees at The Camfield, a nearby pub, from
At the Sundowner, each employee was given a wrist band that identified them as a Westpac guest and enabled them access to free drinks and finger food.
After the conclusion of the Sundowner at
Throughout the evening, two incidents occured, which subsequently led to the Applicant's employment with Westpac being terminated.
Incident One - indecent assault
At approximately
Incident Two - verbal abuse
After Incident One, the Applicant and remaining Westpac employees visited the nearby
While the Applicant and a male colleague waited in line to gain entry to the Casino, a female colleague (Colleague B) exiting the Casino commented to security to "not let these guys in".
Later in the evening, the Applicant ran into Colleague B and said to her, "you fucking idiot. Why did you do that?", "you are a whore" and "you are a bitch".
(collectively, the Incidents)
Investigation by Westpac
The following day, Colleague A reported Incident One to her line manager, and later the police.
As a result of the complaint, Westpac commenced an investigation (Investigation). As part of the Investigation, Westpac conducted a number of telephone interviews with other employees who were present at the time of Incident One. During these telephone interviews, Colleague B reported Incident Two.
Following the telephone interviews, the Applicant and a support person attended a meeting with various Westpac superiors in which the Incidents were put to him. The Applicant provided an initial response to the Incidents on
On
The Investigation Report substantiated Incident One and partially substantiated Incident Two. The Applicant was found in breach of a number of Westpac's policies, including the Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct.
Termination of employment
Despite the Investigation Report recommending that the Applicant be issued with a "show cause letter", Westpac terminated his employment based on serious misconduct, effective close of business on
FWC's decision
After hearing the matter on
- the Applicant was protected from unfair dismissal pursuant to section 382 of the Fair Work Act 2009(FWA)
- the Applicant was dismissed pursuant to section 385 of the FWA
- the dismissal was not a case of genuine redundancy pursuant to section 389 of the FWA
- Westpac was not a small business employer within the meaning of the FWA, and as such, the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code did not apply
- the Applicant's application was made within the required timeframe pursuant to section 394(2) of the FWA
- having considered and given weight to the factors pursuant to section 387 of the FWA the dismissal was not harsh, unjust or unreasonable.
Overall, DP Binet was not satisfied that the Applicant was unfairly dismissed pursuant to section 385 of the FWA.
Arguments at hearing
At the hearing, the Applicant argued that Westpac did not have lawful grounds for dismissing him given the Incidents occurred outside of hours, in his own time, that no working relationship existed between him and Colleagues A and B, and there was no connection with his work.
He further argued, with respect to Incident One, that his actions were not "unreasonable, uninvited, unwanted or unwelcome" and they did not breach Westpac's policies.
In relation to Incident One, DP Binet found that the Applicant's conduct "appears to have been a direct consequence of his alcohol consumption" and that it "would appear with his judgement clouded by alcohol" he "thought his actions would not be unwelcomed".
Further, DP Binet found that by attending the Sundowner, the Applicant was put in a situation of proximity and the conduct that "occurred on the border between a work-related event and private activities" was therefore sufficiently connected to the employment and warranted dismissal.
Contrastingly, there was no sufficient connection between employment and Incident Two.
In her decision, DP Binet was particularly scathing of Westpac's venue choice and its decision to provide "...unrestricted access to alcohol for more than two hours" without making sure employees departed and got home safely. She urged Westpac to consider the necessity and appropriateness of alcohol at work-related events "given the poor judgement often associated with the consumption of alcohol".
Given the nature of the Applicant's conduct, DP Binet emphasised the bar as to what "constitutes consent for physical and sexual interactions" has been raised in the broader community with an even higher bar set "for interactions occurring in work-related environments". Due to extensive media coverage and social discourse, those in workplaces have been put on notice "that their behaviour will attract greater scrutiny and face higher standards than in the past".
Key takeaways for employers and employees
- For employers - consider the necessity and appropriateness of alcohol at work-related events. Always ensure employees can leave safely after work-related events that involve alcohol.
- For employees - depending on the circumstances, out of hours conduct or behaviour may have a sufficient enough connection to employment to warrant disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
Ms
Holding Redlich
Level 1
QLD
4000
Tel: 39321 9999
Fax: 39321 9900
E-mail: inquiries@holdingredlich.com.au
URL: www.holdingredlich.com.au
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