Coling v Programmed Integrated Workforce Limited

In *Coling v Programmed Integrated Workforce Limited*, the applicant, Mr Coling, brought an adverse action claim against his employer, Programmed Integrated Workforce Limited, alleging that the employer had taken adverse action against him because he had exercised a workplace right to complain about a workplace injury. The matter was heard in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.

The central legal issue before the court was whether Programmed Integrated Workforce Limited had taken adverse action against Mr Coling contrary to section 342(1) of the *Fair Work Act 2009* (Cth). This required the court to determine if the employer's actions were motivated, in whole or in part, by Mr Coling's exercise of a workplace right, specifically his complaint about a workplace injury.

Judge Riethmuller found that the applicant had not established that the employer's actions were motivated by his exercise of a workplace right. The court considered the evidence presented and concluded that there were no matters of principle that would support the applicant's claim. Consequently, the adverse action application was dismissed.