It is critical, before taking any steps to dismiss an employee, that you ask the following questions:
Unfair dismissal is a commonly used action which can be taken by an employee if their employment has been ended harshly, unjustly and unreasonably. There are a number of unfair dismissal claims which we will explain in more detail:
A constructive dismissal can lead to an unfair dismissal claim even though the employee has resigned and not actually been dismissed. This happens when the employee is given little or no alternative but to resign. Effectively, the employer has contrived a situation which becomes intolerable or unacceptable to the employee. Resignation under such circumstances can be deemed an unfair dismissal.
Summary dismissal occurs without any notice or payment in lieu of notice when the employee has been involved in serious misconduct in the workplace such that it is unreasonable for employment to continue.
Examples of misconduct include:
among other such serious matters. In such circumstances, the process of dismissal must still be handled carefully in order to help prevent any unfair dismissal claim.
Genuine redundancy means that an employee’s position is no longer needed to be filled by anyone else. If employment ceases because of a genuine redundancy, a redundancy payment might then be made. The Fair Work Ombudsman has a useful tool which can be used to calculate a redundancy payment. However, if the redundancy is not genuinely caused by business operational reasons, the dismissal could be unfair. See the article written by our Employment Lawyers entitled Redundancy: The Basics.
An unfair dismissal claim can still be made in a genuine case of redundancy if the process is poorly handled. The exit process for redundancy must be carefully undertaken to ensure procedural fairness in selecting an employee for redundancy. This involves considering whether there are suitable alternative positions, offering outplacement support, and the like before deeming them to be redundant.
Payment for redundancy is not always necessary. Typical instances when a redundancy payment is not required includes:
In instances of bullying which result in dismissal from employment or in an employee’s forced resignation, the employee, whether bully or victim, may well have a claim against the employer for unfair dismissal or for adverse action.
In instances of discrimination which results in dismissal from employment or in an employee’s forced resignation, the employee, whether victim or perpetrator, may well have a claim against the employer for unfair dismissal, adverse action, or a claim under equal opportunity laws.
The employee has 21 days to apply to the Fair Work Commission for compensation or reinstatement. The employer has seven (7) days to respond after being served with the application.
A small business employer (i.e. under 15 employees) might better resist a claim for unfair dismissal if they follow the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code.
