Jacques Roux v Malee Farms

[2014] FWC 6570

[2014] FWC 6570

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.394—Unfair dismissal

Jacques Roux
v
Malee Farms
(U2014/10472)

COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS PERTH, 19 SEPTEMBER 2014

Termination of employment.

[1] This matter involves an application made by Mr Jacques Roux (the applicant) under section 394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) for an unfair dismissal remedy. The respondent is Malee Farms.

[2] Correspondence was sent to the applicant by email and post on 7 August 2014 notifying the applicant that the respondent had raised a jurisdictional objection to the application, advising of the process that would be followed to determine this and requesting he advise whether he wished to continue with his application. No response was received.

[3] A further letter was emailed and posted to the applicant on 25 August 2014 regarding the failure to respond, advising that a response was required and that a further failure to reply may be grounds for the application to be dismissed.

[4] As at the date of this decision the applicant has not responded nor otherwise contacted the Fair Work Commission.

The legislation

[5] Section 577 of the Act obliges the Fair Work Commission to perform its functions and exercise its powers in a manner that is fair, just and is quick, informal and avoids unnecessary technicalities and is open and transparent and promotes harmonious and cooperative workplace relations.

[6] Further section 578 of the Act relevantly requires that in performing functions or exercising powers in relation to a matter the Fair Work Commission must take into account the Objects of the relevant Part of the Act.

[7] A section 394 application falls under Part 3-2 Unfair Dismissal of the Act.

[8] The Objects of Part 3-2 Unfair Dismissal are prescribed in section 381 of the Act. These Objects include the establishment of procedures dealing with unfair dismissal that are quick, flexible and informal and address the needs of employers and employees and involve procedures and remedies that ensure a “fair go all around” is accorded to both the employer and employee concerned.

[9] Section 587 (3) of the Act empowers the Fair Work Commission to dismiss an application on its own initiative.

Decision

[10] In this case the applicant has failed to respond to the Fair Work Commission’s enquiries and was on notice that non-compliance would be grounds for the application to be dismissed.

[11] The applicant in the circumstances here has been given a fair go.

[12] The respondent employer having raised a jurisdictional objection is also entitled to a fair go including having their objection determined within a reasonable time.

[13] Consequently my decision is that this application for an unfair dismissal remedy should now be dismissed on the initiative of the Fair Work Commission under section 587 (3) of the Act.

[14] An order to this effect will be issued in conjunction with this decision.

COMMISSIONER

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