Kool v Adecco Industrial Pty Ltd T/A Adecco
[2016] FWC 925
•17 February 2016
[2016] FWC 925
DECISION
| Fair Work Act 2009 | |
| s.394 - Application for unfair dismissal remedy | |
| Ms Jayleen Kool | |
| v | |
| Adecco Industrial Pty Ltd T/A Adecco | |
| (U2015/4381) | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT ASBURY | BRISBANE, 17 FEBRUARY 2016 |
| Application for relief from unfair dismissal. |
1. BACKGROUND
[1] Ms Jayleen Kool applies under s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) for an unfair
dismissal remedy with respect to her alleged dismissal by Adecco Australia Pty Ltd T/A
Adecco (Adecco). Adecco is a labour hire business that provides labour to its clients in
various industries, including the food manufacturing industry.
[2] Ms Kool initiated contact with Adecco on 18 October 2012 with a view to undertaking
work for its clients. On 22 October 2012, Ms Kool was assigned to work for one of Adecco’s
clients – Nestle Chalet Patisserie (Nestle). Ms Kool worked at the Nestle site from this time
until 11 March 2015. Ms Kool asserts that she was unfairly dismissed because she worked at
least 38 hours per week at the Nestle site for two years and five months without any issues
being raised in relation to her conduct and work performance. Ms Kool contends that she was
removed from that site without any warning or valid reason, at the request of Nestle’s site
manager, because of issues involving other employees in which she had no involvement. Ms
Kool further asserts that no real efforts were made by Adecco to place her in another position
after her removal from the Nestle site.
[3] Adecco objects to Ms Kool’s application on the basis that she has not been dismissed.
The objection, as articulated in Adecco’s Form F3 Response to Ms Kool’s application, was
that Ms Kool’s assignment at the Nestle site ended but Ms Kool continued to be employed by
Adecco, evidenced by the fact that she was offered and accepted further assignments with
other Adecco clients after her Nestle assignment ended. Adecco contended that Ms Kool’s
application should be dismissed and that Ms Kool should be ordered to pay its costs in
relation to her application.
[4] Ms Kool’s application for an unfair dismissal remedy was made within the period
required in subsection 394(2) of the Act. No other jurisdictional issues arise. Ms Kool is a
person protected from unfair dismissal as defined in s.382 of the Act. Adecco is not a small
business employer and the dismissal was not a case of genuine redundancy. The matter was
[2016] FWC 925
listed and dealt with on the basis that the hearing would encompass both the jurisdictional
objection raised by Adecco and the substantive question of whether, if the jurisdictional
objection was dismissed, Ms Kool was unfairly dismissed. A hearing was conducted on the
basis that it was considered that this was the appropriate course, having taken into account the
matters set out in s.399 of the Act and the views of the parties.
[5] Ms Kool was represented by her mother, Ms Pam Kool, who on behalf of her daughter
was involved in a number of attempts – via discussions with management of both Adecco and
Nestle – to obtain an explanation for why Ms Kool had been removed from the Nestle site.
Ms Pam Kool also provided a statement in support of the application. Adecco was
represented by Mr Chad Issa, its Senior Workplace Relations Advisor.
1
| [6] | Ms Kool gave evidence on her own behalf. | Evidence in support of Ms Kool’s |
application was also given by:
2
| | Ms P Kool; |
3
| | Mr Tony Heesakkers, formerly the Senior Factor Analyst for Nestle; |
| | Ms Wendy Towner, Packing Room Team Leader for Nestle and Ms Kool’s direct |
4
Supervisor.
5
| [7] | Evidence for Adecco was given by Ms Sarah Olechno, Branch Manager, Wacol. | A |
further witness statement made by Ms Margaret Coyne, Recruitment Specialist for its Wacol
Branch, was also filed on behalf of Adecco. Ms Coyne was not present at the hearing and
was not available for cross-examination. I accept that Ms Coyne was ill on the day of the
hearing. I have accepted Ms Coyne’s statement on the basis that I needed to inform myself
about the relevant facts and circumstances where Adecco’s evidentiary case was deficient.
That the hearing was for the purpose of dealing with both the jurisdictional objection and the
substantive case was apparent from the Directions issued by the Commission.
[8] Unfortunately Adecco’s representative did not appear to understand that the hearing
was intended to deal with both the jurisdictional objection made by Adecco and the
substantive application and did not call any evidence or make submissions directed to the
question of whether, if Ms Kool was dismissed, the dismissal was unfair, on the basis of the
factors in s. 387. Further, a number of evidentiary matters that should have been included in a
witness statement were set out in the submission filed by Adecco.
[9] During the hearing I pointed out to Adecco’s representative that there was no evidence
before the Commission to support assertions he was making about Ms Kool’s contract of
employment or the attempts to obtain an alternative placement for her. Adecco was given an
opportunity for a witness to adopt evidentiary matters set out in its written submissions and
did not take this opportunity. Adecco was also permitted to call further evidence from Ms
Olecnho about the terms of Ms Kool’s contract of employment but did not seek to tender
documentary or electronic evidence about those terms.
2. EVIDENCE
2.1 Terms of Ms Kool’s employment
[10] It is not in dispute that Ms Kool commenced an employment relationship with Adecco
on 18 October 2012. Ms Kool was assigned to work at the Nestle site and was engaged there
[2016] FWC 925
for two years and five months. During this period Ms Kool states that she worked 5 or 6 days
6
| per week and a minimum of 38 hours per week, not including overtime. | Ms Kool also said |
that she worked continuously for this period except for public holidays, when Nestle did not
operate. Adecco does not dispute Ms Kool’s evidence about the hours she worked. Ms Kool
also states that she enjoyed her work and the regular income it provided and the convenience
of the proximity of that work to her place of residence.
[11] Adecco tendered a copy of a “Candidate Declaration” said to be a written contract
between Ms Kool and Adecco, entered into on 18 October 2010. The Candidate Declaration is
said to set out the terms and conditions of employment under which employees are “engaged
with Adecco” and relevantly provides:
“1. I acknowledge and accept that I am under the care, direction and supervision of
Adecco’s client during the period of any client assignment. The client’s care and
supervision relates to my defined working hours, client specific regulations and
policies, and the manner and proficiency in which my work is to be performed.
2. I acknowledge and understand that I will be engaged by Adecco as a casual
(“Hourly-hire”) employee in accordance with the relevant statutory instrument (e.g.
Award, Workplace Agreement).
…
7. I accept that each casual assignment is a separate period of employment, that
Adecco does not control the length of any client assignment, and that the client may
vary or conclude the assignment at one hours’ notice.
8. In the event of a variation to an assignment or upon the commencement of a new
assignment, the provisions of this document shall be unaffected and shall remain in
force until replaced or varied.
…
17. I shall be paid weekly and only upon Adecco’s receipt of a correctly completed
time sheet that has been authorised by an appropriate client supervisor/manager.”
[12] The Candidate Declaration tendered by Adecco is a generic document and does not
have any information specific to Ms Kool. The Candidate Declaration was tendered as an
attachment to Adecco’s outline of submissions. There is no evidence that Ms Kool ever
received the Candidate Declaration, much less that she signed and accepted it. In her oral
evidence, Ms Olechno said that when potential Candidates approach Adecco for placements,
7
| they are emailed an “e-registration”. | Part of the e-registration is the provision of a username |
and password to the Candidate who then logs on and completes a registration. Ms Olechno
8
| said that part of that registration is the Candidate Declaration. Ms Olechno “believes” | that a |
Candidate cannot progress with registration until they have “ticked to say that [they]
9
| understand and have read the declaration” | . Candidates are not required to physically sign a |
| Candidate Declaration. |
[13] The following exchange occurred between Ms Olechno and I in relation to the
Candidate Declaration:
“So how is that – how do you forward that to applicants for positions, and how do you
find out that they have read and understood it and agreed to it?---Because it's sent to
them as an email along with their whole registration piece that they have to complete,
[2016] FWC 925
like an application form as well as a health questionnaire. And then afterwards they
have this candidate declaration that says, "Have you read and understood" – and they
have to tick that to move to the next stage to submit the application.
Okay. So I assume you could have, if you wanted to, produced what the applicant
ticked and filled in electronically?---Yes.
But you haven't?---I haven't what, sorry?
You haven't produced it. I have no evidence, do I, that all of this material got to the
applicant and that she ticked the box to say she had read it and understood it, or sent
it back?---It has been completed. The application was completed by her on 18
October 2012.
Yes, but do I – can you tell me, is it attached to your statement? Is it in evidence
somewhere that I have missed?---I don't believe so.
Right. Okay. Thanks. So basically people read that and then they tick a box on a
screen electronically by email to say that they have read it and understood it?---Yes.
Right. Okay. So nowhere would there be a signed document with the applicant's
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signature on it?---I don't believe so, no.”
[14] In response to a question from me, Ms Kool stated that she does not recall seeing or
11
| signing the Candidate Declaration. | Ms Kool recalls that she did attend at Adecco at the time |
of her commencement and does remember “doing something on computer work, and going
12
| down to [Nestle] and signing papers down there” | . Ms Kool accepted that her engagement |
with Adecco was as a casual employee and that to some degree she understood the nature of
13
| casual work. | However, Ms Kool stated that she was told that the position with Nestle was a |
14
| full time position and that she was guaranteed work every day, all the time. | Ms Kool also |
said that management of Nestle treated her like she was a member of Nestle’s team.
[15] Under cross-examination Ms Kool said that she understood that she is an employee of
Adecco placed at client sites, but said that she had only reached this understanding after her
dismissal. Ms Kool made an earlier application for an unfair dismissal remedy alleging that
she had been dismissed by Nestle and agreed that she now understood that her employer had
been Adecco. However, Ms Kool maintained that she had always dealt with Nestle on all
employment matters and had believed that Nestle was her employer.
[16] In its submissions to the Commission, Adecco maintained that Ms Kool had signified
her agreement with the Candidate Declaration by electronically checking a box and emailing
the document to Adecco. Adecco also contended that Ms Kool was required to complete an
Adecco timesheet during the period she was assigned to Nestle and to submit it through an
“on-line portal” in order to be paid. Ms Kool disputed this assertion and said that she
manually completed a time card held by Nestle and submitted that time card to Nestle
management. There was no evidence placed before the Commission in relation to time cards
or other related documentation that may have been submitted by Ms Kool during the period
she was employed by Adecco and assigned to Nestle.
[2016] FWC 925
2.2 Cessation of Ms Kool’s engagement/assignment at Nestle
[17] Adecco filed an unsigned witness statement made by Ms Coyne. As previously noted,
Ms Coyne was not present at the Hearing to give evidence and was not available for cross-
examination. Given the dearth of evidence called by Adecco, I have considered Ms Coyne’s
statement in order to establish the events that resulted in the cessation of Ms Kool’s
assignment at the Nestle site. Ms Coyne states that on 16 March 2015 she was contacted by
Ms Brooke Jackson, Nestle Production Coordinator, who advised that Nestle was proposing
to meet with Miss Kool regarding “inappropriate/unprofessional conduct”. The conduct was
said to include an allegation that Ms Kool was “clocking” other staff in and out of their shifts.
[18] Ms Coyne attended at the Nestle site on 16 March 2015 and witnessed Ms Kool
coming out of the office of Mr Scott Carlson, Nestle Factory Manager. Ms Coyne spoke to Mr
Carlson who advised her that there was “some unprofessional (clicks (sic) and gossiping)
behaviour onsite which didn’t fit in to the companies (sic) conduct or values”. Ms Coyne
states that Ms Jackson and Mr Carlson informed her that Ms Kool had previously been
spoken to about “clocking in and out and gossiping” but that “on this same day” Ms Kool
proceeded to engage in the same conduct. Ms Coyne was advised by Ms Jackson and Mr
Carlson that they “would like” Ms Kool’s engagement to cease “as Ms Kool was no longer
required”.
[19] According to her statement, Ms Coyne then spoke with Ms Kool privately and advised
Ms Kool that her assignment at Nestle was ending, effective immediately. Ms Coyne states
that Ms Kool told her that she had “got in with the wrong crowd”. Ms Coyne advised Ms
15
| Kool that Adecco would attempt to find her “some other employment”. | Under cross- |
examination Ms Olechno agreed that she told Ms P Kool during a telephone conversation that
Ms Kool’s assignment with Nestle had ended because she had clocked someone out and
Nestle were not happy about that. Ms Olechno also said that she was informed by a colleague
that management of Nestle stated that Ms Kool had been spoken to about this conduct before.
[20] Ms Olechno was also asked whether Ms Kool had been spoken to about the
accusation or given an opportunity to respond to it and said that she did not know because she
was not at the meeting. Ms Olechno confirmed that Ms Kool’s assignment at Nestle was
ended by Adecco on the instructions of Nestle.
[21] Ms Kool agreed that around the time her placement with Nestle ended there had been
some gossip in Nestle’s workplace and issues concerning card clocking – a practice whereby
an employee would clock another employee off. Ms Kool also states that the precipitating
event leading to her dismissal was a dispute between two of Nestle’s supervisors – one of
whom is Ms Towner. Ms Kool agreed that in the past she had engaged in the practice of
clocking off another employee but maintained that on that occasion she was directed to so by
her then supervisor and that she had clocked her supervisor off. In response to the proposition
that she should have known that this was the wrong thing to do, Ms Kool said that she was
taking directions from her supervisor. Ms Kool also said that she had not done this since
16
2014.
[22] Ms Kool’s evidence is that on 2 March 2015, she was asked to attend a meeting with
Ms Jackson and Mr Carlson of Nestle. At the meeting, Mr Carlson questioned Ms Kool about
events in the factory. Ms Kool said that she felt as though Mr Carlson was blaming her for
events and that she did not understand fully what was occurring. Ms Kool was also questioned
[2016] FWC 925
about clocking cards and explained to Mr Carlson that in 2014 she had clocked off a
Supervisor and that she had been directed to do so by the Supervisor and on that basis did not
17
| believe that this was inappropriate. | Ms Kool then left this meeting and later went home |
early. Ms Kool’s evidence about the events surrounding her leaving early is dealt with below.
[23] On 11 March 2015, Ms Kool attended for work at 7.00 am, her normal start time. At
or around 12.30pm, Ms Kool was called to a meeting with Mr Carlson and Ms Jackson and
asked by Mr Carlson if “there was anything [she] needed to say regarding [her] clocking
card last week”. Ms Kool responded that there was nothing that should be wrong. Following
this response, Mr Carlson threw his pen down and put to Ms Kool that she “left work last
Monday being the 02/03/2015 at 6.30pm…but [her] card was clocked out at 7pm”. Ms Kool
states that she left work at 6:45pm on this date.
[24] Ms Kool explained to Mr Carlson that she did leave Nestle early on 2 March 2015, to
get herself something to eat as she had not had a break all day and had been under an
“enormous amount of pressure due to our talk in the office on that day”. Ms Kool said that on
2 March 2016 she broke down crying in the car park as she felt that Mr Carlson was “blaming
[her] for everything that had been happening”. Later, after leaving the site to get food, Ms
Kool continued to be emotional and contacted her Supervisor Ms Towner to advise that she
would not be returning to work as she was too emotional. In her statement filed in these
proceedings, Ms Kool said that she did request that Ms Towner sign her out for the day and
that Ms Towner had clocked her card, which had not been a problem in the past. In response
to questions from me, Ms Kool said that she did not tell Ms Towner to clock her off and that
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clocking off was not mentioned.
[25] At Hearing, Ms Kool gave the following evidence:
“---so on the 11th, on the Wednesday, I got called back into the office again and talking
to [Mr Carlson] and [Ms Jackson] on the day, and then they said, "You were clocked
off on the day." And I said, "No, I wasn't." You know "I hadn't been clocked off." I
had made arrangements with Wendy Towner to let her know that I won't be coming
back on the site. It was nothing to do with clock-on. And then they had their little
meeting. They asked me to go and leave, but they said "Adecco is here." So when I
was down in the lunch, I think it was [Ms Coyne] and [Mr Carlson] and – [Ms
Coyne], [Mr Carlson] and [Ms Jackson] were in the office having their own little
meeting. I didn't sit down with them at all. [Ms Jackson] came back into the changing
rooms where I was and she said, "Hey Jay, just going to send you home today, a little
bit early."”
[26] According to Ms Kool, she was then asked to leave the room. At this time, Ms Coyne
arrived and had a discussion with Mr Carlson. Ms Kool asked Ms Jackson whether she should
pack up her locker, to which Ms Jackson replied “yes you better”. Ms Kool said that she then
spoke to Ms Coyne who said that she had “tried her best”. Ms Jackson escorted Ms Kool to
her car. During this time Ms Kool states that Ms Jackson said that she had tried everything
and that she had requested Adecco make Ms Kool “high profile for another job”. Ms Towner
was also present at this time. Ms Kool said that other than the statements made by Ms Coyne
and Ms Jackson, she was given no reason for being asked to leave Nestle. Ms Kool said on a
number of occasions during her evidence and in submissions that she wanted to know why
she had been dismissed.
[2016] FWC 925
[27] Ms Towner’s evidence is that she saw Ms Kool at work on 2 March 2015 and noticed
that she was “quite upset”. As Ms Kool did not want to talk to Ms Towner about why she was
upset, Ms Towner did not press the issue. At 6:30pm on 2 March 2015, Ms Kool said to Ms
Towner that she had not had a second break and Ms Towner told her to take the break. Ms
Kool left the Packing Room at about 6:35pm. Fifteen or twenty minutes later, Ms Towner
received a phone call from Ms Kool who said that she was “very upset & crying” and that she
was going to go straight home. Ms Towner told Ms Kool that this was “more than okay”. Ms
Kool asked Ms Towner to check if she had clocked off as she could not remember. Ms
Towner agreed to do this. Ms Towner said that she looked at Ms Kool’s clocking card and
“clocked it off without even thinking”. Ms Towner maintained that Ms Kool did not request
19
that she clock her off, and only requested Ms Towner to check if she had clocked off or not.
[28] Ms Towner also said that if employees had not clocked off she would “write down the
time they left [and] then initial it” and that this practice has “never been a problem in the
past”. Ms Towner did not attend the meeting on 11 March 2015 between Ms Kool, Mr
Carlson and Ms Jackson but saw Ms Kool and Ms Jackson in the car park after the meeting.
Ms Kool was very upset and crying and Ms Towner was requested to leave by Ms Jackson as
Ms Jackson stated it was “a private matter”. Ms Towner returned to the Packing Room.
[29] About an hour later, Ms Jackson entered the Packing Room and advised everyone that
Ms Kool no longer worked at Nestle. Ms Towner enquired with Ms Jackson why this had
occurred but Ms Jackson refused to answer, stating that too much gossip would travel around
the factory. About an hour later, Mr Carlson approached Ms Towner and they had a
discussion about the events of 2 March 2015, during which Ms Towner said that:
“I told [Mr Carlson] exactly what had happened & that not at any time did [Ms Kool]
ask me to clock her out, I done that myself without even thinking, I made it very clear
that it was not done intentionally nor was done with any sort of malice. Many things
were discussed and I asked why [Ms Kool] wasn’t working there anymore & [Mr
Carlson] [didn’t] want to discuss it but he did say that he had received complaints
about [Ms Kool]”
[30] Ms Towner states that she finds it hard to believe that other employees would
complain about Ms Kool as she was one of the best workers; had very good attendance; and
was always friendly to other employees. Ms Towner was not aware of any issues with Ms
20
| Kool’s performance or conduct. | Ms Towner states that there was no on-going concern with |
21
Ms Kool clocking other employees in and out.
[31] The following day, Ms Towner again spoke with Mr Carlson to ask if Ms Kool was
dismissed because of Ms Towner’s actions in clocking her off on 2 March 2015. Ms Towner
said that she was crying while speaking with Mr Carlson and asked for Ms Kool to be given
her job back. Ms Towner states that Mr Carlson said that Ms Kool did not lose her job for this
reason, but he did not tell her why Ms Kool did lose her job, other than to state that Ms Kool
“didn’t fit in here”. Ms Towner said that she disagrees with that statement.
[32] According to Ms Towner, after Ms Kool ceased to work at Nestle’s site, five
22
| additional employees were placed there through Adecco. | Ms Towner agreed under cross- |
examination that Nestle did advertise for additional casual employees through Adecco
approximately once each year and that the needs of Nestle with respect to casual employment
fluctuate.
[2016] FWC 925
[33] Mr Heessakkers said that on 11 March 2015, Mr Carlson called a meeting of the
management team at Nestle during which Mr Carlson advised that Ms Kool would be ending
her employment immediately. Ms Jackson then stated that after talking to Ms Kool a decision
had been made that it would be “best to let her go”. The management team were told that the
week prior, Ms Kool had left her shift early and had requested Ms Towner to clock her off.
[34] According to Mr Heessakkers it is not uncommon for employees to contact their Team
Leader if they have forgotten to clock off. It is normal practice, according to Mr Heessakkers,
that in this scenario the Team Leader will either clock off the person, or write down the end
time and then initial the time card. Mr Heessakkers also said that Ms Jackson told him that the
reason for ending Ms Kool’s placement with Nestle was the “clocking behaviour”. Further,
Mr Heessakkers said that he had a discussion with Mr Carlson during which Mr Carlson
initially agreed that the events leading to Ms Kool being removed from the Nestle site related
to “clocking behaviour” but Mr Carlson subsequently denied this and advised that there were
other behavioural issues. Mr Carlson also insisted to Mr Heessakkers that Ms Kool had not
been dismissed by Nestle but rather by Adecco, after having initially stated that Nestle had
23
terminated her employment.
[35] In cross-examination, Mr Hessakkers stated as follows:
“You stated earlier that you were unsure as to who dismissed, or whether Jayleen was,
in fact, dismissed. You said originally that you thought Nestlé dismissed Jayleen but
now you're unsure? What made you made you think it was Nestlé, or that Nestlé had
any right to dismiss Jayleen?---Because Scott - when Scott brought the management
team together, he said that Jayleen was no longer working for Nestlé or no longer with
Nestlé effective immediately. That suggested that Nestlé made the call to terminate
Jayleen and I'm not sure about the technical details, whether Adecco has terminated or
whether Nestlé has terminated, but it's clear to me that initiative it's from Nestlé and
not from Adecco. It is on grounds but something between Brooke, Scott and Jayleen,
and Adecco had no role in this.
Are you saying that if there was a dismissal that it was at the initiative of Nestlé not
24
Adecco?---That's what I believe, yes.”
2.3 Attempts by Adecco to find alternative work for Ms Kool
[36] Ms Coyne states that she assisted Ms Kool to prepare an updated resume. On 17
March 2015, Ms Coyne contacted Ms Kool to “check up and see how she was going”. At this
time, Ms Kool began to discuss unfair dismissal with Ms Coyne and requested that Ms Coyne
speak with Ms P Kool about the matter. There was evidence of a number of discussions
between Ms P Kool and various managers of Adecco and Nestle in relation to the allegation
that Ms Kool had been unfairly dismissed. During a discussion with Ms P Kool, on or around
17 March 2015, Ms Olechno stated that Ms Kool was not dismissed, that Ms Kool’s
employment with Adecco would continue and that Adecco would “continue to seek
alternative work” for Ms Kool. Ms Olechno also advised Ms P Kool that as Adecco had
limited clients in the food manufacturing industry it may take some time to find an alternate
placement for Ms Kool.
[2016] FWC 925
[37] Written submissions filed by Adecco in relation to the hearing of Ms Kool’s unfair
dismissal application, state as follows with respect to attempts to find another placement for
Ms Kool:
“8. On 24 March 2015, the Applicant was placed at the site of the Respondent’s client
Brumby State Books (Brumby), for a period of two days.
9. On 1 April 2015, the Applicant was placed at the site of the Respondent’s client,
Brumby.
10. In addition to the work offered to and accepted by the Applicant at paragraphs 8
and 9, above, beyond the alleged termination date of 11 March 2015, the Respondent
has continued to offer the Applicant the opportunity to be placed at its clients sites on
the following days:
a) On 13 April 2015, the Respondent contacted the Applicant stating that it was
awaiting further instructions from Brumby, but that the Applicant was still on
its availability list and would be contacted if a suitable role arose.
b) On 11 May 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an available
position; however, the Respondent was unable to leave a voice mail. The
Respondent sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone number.
c) On 12 May 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an alternative
available position; however, the Respondent was unable to leave a voice mail.
The Respondent sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone number.
d) On 19 May 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an alternative
available position; however, the Respondent was unable to leave a voice mail.
The Respondent sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone number.
e) On 19 May 2015, the Applicant returned the telephone call of the
Respondent and advised, using words to the effect, that she:
i. was looking for full time work in the Wacol Carole Park area and
that one day was not enough for her;
ii. is currently doing a course in beauty to upgrade her skills; and
iii. had been getting the Respondent’s messages but did not have
telephone credit to reply and was using someone else’s telephone on the
day the telephone call of the Respondent was returned. The Respondent
advised that if anything suitable arose that it would advise the
Applicant.
f) On 21 May 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an alternative
available position; however, the Respondent was unable to reach the Applicant
[2016] FWC 925
and left a voice mail and sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone
number.
g) On 1 June 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an alternative
available position; however, the Respondent was unable to leave a voice mail.
The Respondent sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone number.
h) On 2 June 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an alternative
available position; however, the Respondent was unable to leave a voice mail.
The Respondent sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone number.
i) On 9 June 2015, the Respondent rang the Applicant, using the telephone
number provided by the Applicant to the Respondent, relating to an alternative
available position; however, the Respondent was unable to leave a voice mail.
The Respondent sent an SMS to the Applicant, on the same telephone number.
j) On 9 June 2015, the Applicant returned the telephone call of the Respondent
and advised, using words to the effect, that she:
i. had a job interview and was unable to work; and
ii. wanted a position closer to the Wacol Carole Park area.
The Respondent advised that if anything suitable arose that it would advise the
Applicant, pending the outcome of her job interview.”
[38] During the hearing, I raised with Mr Issa that there was no witness evidence of the
attempts made by Adecco to find Ms Kool further employment but that rather, Adecco had
25
| included factual assertions about these attempts in its submissions. | I indicated that leave |
could be sought for Ms Olechno to adopt the evidentiary material set out in the submission as
her evidence on the basis that she is the Manager of Adecco’s Wacol Branch and dealt with
Ms Kool during the period of her employment with Adecco. This invitation was not taken up.
Instead, Ms Olechno was asked some questions about attempts to find Ms Kool another
placement and stated that Ms Kool had been offered “six or seven” assignments and had taken
up one assignment with Brumby Books for “a couple of days”. Ms Olechno also said that
attempts had been made to contact Ms Kool “around May or June” in relation to these
26
positions.
[39] Ms Kool said that the contact with Adecco had been mainly from her and Ms P Kool
27
| rather than the company initiating the contact. | Ms Kool also said that she was unable to |
return telephone calls from Adecco because she did not have an income with which to pay for
credit on her mobile telephone. Ms Kool said that she did contact Adecco when she was able
to use another person’s phone. Ms Kool disputes that Adecco made attempts to contact her on
as many occasions as asserted in Adecco’s submissions but accepts that she was contacted by
Adecco on three occasions to talk about further work. On other occasions when Ms Coyne
contacted Ms Kool, the discussions were about Ms Kool’s resume. Further, when Ms Kool
called Adecco in response to text messages about possible work, the discussion would be
about Ms Kool’s resume rather than further placement.
[2016] FWC 925
[40] In relation to the placement on 24 March 2015 and 1 April 2015, Ms Kool stated that
she initiated contact with Adecco in relation to that placement as she had seen an
advertisement about it. In response to a question from the Commission, Ms Kool said that she
was seeking full time work and if possible, at a location close to her home. Ms Kool further
stated that the alternate placements offered to her were for single days or for limited times
rather than the on-going work that she had at Nestle. Ms Kool said that it was not financially
viable for her to accept a single day placement given the area where she lived and that she
was not in a financial position to travel for a single day of work. Ms Kool is also completing
a beauty therapy course with the aim of transitioning into employment in the beauty therapy
industry. Ms Kool stated that she was last contacted by Adecco on 9 June 2015 and that she
did advise that she was attending a job interview that day. Ms Kool has had no further contact
regarding placements with Adecco clients since that date.
[41] Ms Kool stated that she is a single mother with three dependent children. As a New
Zealand citizen Ms Kool is not eligible for Centrelink payments or other assistance from the
Australian Government. Ms P Kool also informed the Commission that Ms Kool has learning
difficulties. Directions were issued after the hearing requiring Ms Kool to file and serve
further material in relation to her earnings during the period of her employment with Adecco
and her placement with Nestle and details of attempts to obtain other employment and
earnings since the cessation of her employment. The Directions also provide Adecco with an
opportunity to indicate whether Ms Kool was required for cross-examination in relation to
that material. Ms Kool provided further material to the Commission establishing that she
earned $24.17 per hour for day shift, $29.01 per hour for night shift and $36.26 per hour when
she was paid at the rate of time and a-half. Ms Kool also provided pay slips said to indicate
that her average earnings were between $750 and $850 per week.
[42] Ms Kool states that she commenced looking for other employment in or around March
2015 and provided evidence of applications for positions with a range of employers which
were unsuccessful. Ms Kool had a number of short term assignments and from 20 April 2015
until 20 October 2015 Ms Kool had an assignment with one employer through another labour
hire company and has since obtained permanent employment with that Company. Ms Kool
also tendered documents evidencing loans that she had received from family members and
friends to assist her during the period that she did not have employment.
3. RELEVANT LEGISLATION
[43] In order to determine Adecco’s jurisdictional objection, it is necessary to determine
whether Ms Kool was dismissed. Section 386 of the Act relevantly states:
“386 Meaning of dismissed
(1) A person has been dismissed if:
(a) the person’s employment with his or her employer has been terminated on the employer’s initiative;...
(2) However, a person has not been dismissed if:
(a) the person was employed under a contract of employment for a specified period of time, for a specified task, or for the duration of a specified season, and the
[2016] FWC 925
employment has terminated at the end of the period, on completion of the task, or
at the end of the season; or
...
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person employed under a contract of a kind
referred to in paragraph (2)(a) if a substantial purpose of the employment of the
person under a contract of that kind is, or was at the time of the person’s employment,
to avoid the employer’s obligations under this Part.”
[44] If Ms Kool was dismissed, it will be necessary to consider whether Ms Kool’s
dismissal was unfair on the grounds that it was harsh, unjust or unreasonable by applying the
criteria in s.387 of the Act, as follows:
“387 Criteria for considering harshness etc.
In considering whether it is satisfied that a dismissal was harsh, unjust or
unreasonable, the FWC must take into account:
(a) whether there was a valid reason for the dismissal related to the person’s capacity or conduct (including its effect on the safety and welfare of
other employees); and
(b) whether the person was notified of that reason; and (c) whether the person was given an opportunity to respond to any reason related to the capacity or conduct of the person; and
(d) any unreasonable refusal by the employer to allow the person to have a support person present to assist at any discussions relating to dismissal; and
(e) if the dismissal related to unsatisfactory performance by the person— whether the person had been warned about that unsatisfactory performance
before the dismissal; and
(f) the degree to which the size of the employer’s enterprise would be likely to impact on the procedures followed in effecting the dismissal; and
(g) the degree to which the absence of dedicated human resource management specialists or expertise in the enterprise would be likely to impact
on the procedures followed in effecting the dismissal; and
(h) any other matters that the FWC considers relevant.”
4. CONSIDERATION
4.1 Labour hire employers and unfair dismissal laws
[45] The business model of labour hire companies is generally that they employ persons
(usually on a casual basis), and place those persons in the businesses of other companies with
which the labour hire company has a contractual relationship (host employers). In some cases
the labour hire employees will work intermittently or for specific periods of time at the
[2016] FWC 925
premises of the host employer – for example to replace the employee of a host employer
temporarily absent from the workplace for a specified period, which is ascertained in advance
of the placement or which may be extended or terminated during the period of the placement
if circumstances change. The labour hire employee may have been required by the host
employer to meet a seasonal or operational fluctuation. In other cases, labour hire employees
may be required to work at the host employer’s premises for lengthy periods; under the
supervision and management of the host employer; integrating with the employees of the host
employer; and for all intents and purposes forming part of the host employer’s workforce.
[46] The diversity of such arrangements is considerable, reflecting the need for flexibility
in modern workplaces. However, these arrangements can be a minefield for all concerned,
both in practical terms and in terms of rights and obligations arising under legislation,
industrial instruments and contracts of employment. The actions of a host employer –
particularly when its managers and supervisors engage in disciplinary action against labour
hire employees – can have a direct and fundamental impact on the rights and obligations, as
between the labour hire company and its employees.
[47] Where a labour hire employee is placed with a host employer and the labour hire
employee is engaged on arrangements such as those outlined in Adecco’s Candidate
Declaration, the end of the placement will generally not constitute dismissal of the labour hire
employee so that the labour hire employee could make an application for an unfair dismissal
remedy. This is particularly so where the host employer decides that it no longer requires the
services of the labour hire employee and there is no indication that this decision is based on
the conduct, capacity or performance of the employee. In such cases the labour hire employee
is removed in accordance with the contractual relationship between the labour hire company
and the host employer and as provided for in the contract of employment between the labour
hire company and the labour hire employee.
[48] Where managers of a host employer inform a labour hire employee that he or she is to
be removed from site on the basis of conduct, capacity or work performance, the actions of
the host employer may be tantamount to dismissal. This is particularly so where managers or
supervisors of the host employer have also been involved in disciplining the labour hire
employee. A labour hire employee seeking to contest such action by making an application
for an unfair dismissal remedy, faces considerable difficulty, principally because the host
employer is not the employer of the labour hire employee. It is also the case that a labour hire
company may face considerable difficulty preventing a host employer from taking
disciplinary action against an employee of the labour hire company.
[49] However, the contractual relationship between a labour hire company and a host
employer cannot be used to defeat the rights of a dismissed employee seeking a remedy for
unfair dismissal. Labour hire companies cannot use such relationships to abrogate their
responsibilities to treat employees fairly. If actions and their consequences for an employee
would be found to be unfair if carried out by the labour hire company directly, they do not
automatically cease to be unfair because they are carried out by a third party to the
employment relationship. If the Commission considers that a dismissal is unfair in all of the
circumstances, it can be no defence that the employer was complying with the direction of
another entity in effecting the dismissal. To hold otherwise would effectively allow labour
hire employers to contract out of legislative provisions dealing with unfair dismissal.
[2016] FWC 925
4.1 Was Ms Kool dismissed?
[50] An employee is dismissed if the actions of the employer result directly or
consequentially in termination of employment and the employee does not voluntary leave the
28
| employment relationship. | When an employee is employed by a labour hire company under |
a contract of employment that provides for the employee to be placed in the premises of
another entity so that the employee is “on hire”, the underpinning employment relationship
may remain in operation between placements, depending on the terms of the employment
contract and the particular facts.
[51] Adecco submits that Ms Kool’s placement with Nestle ended on 11 March 2015, but
that she remains an employee of Adecco. In the alternative, Adecco submits that if the
Commission finds that Ms Kool’s employment has ended, then the ending of the employment
relationship was not at the initiative of Adecco. In support of these submissions, Adecco
contends that Ms Kool was employed pursuant to terms of employment contained in the
Candidate Declaration. It is further submitted that the Commission should accept that the
Candidate Declaration was emailed to Ms Kool and that she indicated her acceptance of its
terms by checking a box and returning the Candidate Declaration by electronic means. In the
alternative, Adecco submits that the Commission should be satisfied that Ms Kool accepted
29
the terms set out in the Candidate Declaration because she “operated in line with it”.
[52] Adecco relies upon the Decision in Tse v Ready Workforce (a division of Chandler
30
| Macleod Pty Ltd | (Tse) where Commissioner Cloghan held that: |
“..given the nature of Mr Tse’s contract of employment, I find that it continues to exist,
albeit only enlivened when a mutually tripartite (Employer, client and employee)
31
assignment is found”
Tse involved an application under the general protections provisions of the Act. The
Commission was considering a jurisdictional objection to Mr Tse’s application on the grounds
that he had not been dismissed. The facts set out in Commissioner Cloghan’s Decision
indicate that Mr Tse was involved in a number of incidents involving another employee at the
host employer. Following the final incident, the host employer requested that Ready
Workforce not assign Mr Tse to the host employer again. There was evidence that Ready
Workforce attempted to discuss the matter with Mr Tse but, following an unsuccessful
attempt to contact Mr Tse, emailed Mr Tse to advise that his placement with the host
employer was closed and that Ready Workforce would contact him to offer suitable work
when it became available.
[54] I am not persuaded that the factual matrix in Tse is analogous to that of Ms Kool. In
Tse, the Commission had uncontested evidence about Mr Tse’s contract of employment with
Ready Workforce and the terms of that contract of employment were not in dispute. In this
matter, Adecco has not led any evidence that Ms Kool accepted or understood the terms
contained in the Candidate Declaration, and Ms Kool’s evidence is that she has no
recollection of seeing that document much less of having indicated that she accepted its terms.
[55] The Respondent also relies upon the Decision in Bradford v Toll Personnel Pty Ltd
32
| T/A Toll Ipec | (Bradford) where Commissioner Gregory held: |
[2016] FWC 925
“…the Applicant in the present matter was not terminated by her employer, Toll
Personnel. Her current assignment was instead discontinued, however, her employer
remained ready to find work elsewhere when the Applicant was medically cleared fit to
resume work.”
[56] Similarly, the facts in Bradford are not analogous with the current matter. As with Tse,
there was evidence before the Commission of the conditions of employment, signed by the
Applicant that formed the contract of employment between the parties, which was a matter
that Commissioner Gregory considered in assessing the effect of the Respondent’s actions.
The reasons for the alleged dismissal in Bradford were not related to the Applicant’s
performance or conduct but rather a restructure of the client’s operations. Commissioner
Gregory found:
“In this case the employee’s placement came to an end because of a decision taken by
the business in which she was placed to end the use of casuals in data entry work at
that location. Once this became evident the labour hire employer indicated to the
33
applicant that once fit to resume work it would look to find work for her elsewhere.”
[57] In Bradford, Commissioner Gregory also went on to note that if a labour hire
employer does nothing to find and offer other work at the conclusion of a placement, then it
34
may be found that there has been a termination employment at the initiative of the employer.
[58] Adecco has not specified how it is said that the decisions of Tse and Bradford are
analogous to the present matter. I am not satisfied that they are of much assistance in
determining the particular questions raised by this case. In both Tse and Bradford the
Commission accepted that whether or not a person is dismissed turns on the particular facts
including: the terms of the contract of employment on which the employee is engaged; the
circumstances surrounding the placement or employment ending; the particular circumstances
of the employee and other matters that may be relevant.
[59] Adecco bears the onus of establishing its jurisdictional objection to Ms Kool’s
application for an unfair dismissal remedy on the grounds that she was not dismissed. To
succeed with the jurisdictional objection, Adecco was required to put evidence before the
Commission to establish its contentions to the required level of proof – the balance of
probabilities. I am not satisfied that Adecco has made out its case.
[60] There is insufficient evidence upon which I could reasonably be satisfied about the
terms of Ms Kool’s contract of employment and that she was employed on terms set out in the
Candidate Declaration. There is no evidence that Ms Kool understood – much less accepted –
the terms set out in the Candidate Declaration. If those terms were emailed to Ms Kool and
she acknowledged her acceptance of them by checking a box electronically, then evidence of
that transaction could and should have been tendered by Adecco. Ms Olechno agreed that
evidence of the transaction is available and that it had not been put before the Commission.
Adecco had every opportunity to put its case and to make out its objection.
[61] I do not accept that Ms Kool conducted herself in accordance with the terms set out in
the Candidate Declaration. To the contrary, Ms Kool went to work at the Nestle site for at
least 38 hours a week (and often worked in excess of 38 hours a week) for two years and five
months. During that time, Ms Kool was supervised by Nestle staff and had little or no
dealings with staff of Adecco. Ms Kool’s undisputed evidence is that she submitted Nestle
[2016] FWC 925
time sheets to Nestle and not to Adecco, and I accept Ms Kool’s evidence on this point. It is
also the case that there was no evidence of Ms Kool submitting time sheets to Adecco placed
before the Commission. I do not accept that there was a contract of employment between Ms
Kool and Adecco that provided that her employment would end on completion of her
assignment with Nestle or any other client of Adecco. There is no documentary or electronic
evidence of such a contract, and the conduct of Ms Kool and Adecco during the period of her
placement with Nestle is inconsistent with such terms.
[62] I do not accept that Ms Kool remained employed by Adecco after her assignment with
Nestle ended. The evidence is that on 11 March 2015, Ms Kool was effectively removed
from the Nestle site and her assignment at that site was terminated. This is not a case where
Nestle decided that it no longer required Ms Kool’s services or the services of labour hire
employees generally, because of some operational change or other imperative, unrelated to
Ms Kool’s conduct, capacity or work performance. The evidence of Ms Towner was that
additional employees from Adecco were placed at Nestle after Ms Kool’s assignment ended.
Further, it is not a case where a short term, ad hoc placement was ended. It is clear that Ms
Kool’s assignment at Nestle was ended because it was concluded that she had engaged in
some kind of misconduct in relation to clocking off.
[63] Adecco did little, if anything, to place Ms Kool in another position after the
termination of her assignment at the Nestle site. On Adecco’s own evidence, Ms Kool was
placed at a site of one of its clients on 24 March for a period of two days and again on 1 April
2015. Thereafter, there was no contact with Ms Kool until 13 April 2015. I accept Ms Kool’s
uncontested evidence that she made contact with Adecco about the placements on 24 and 25
March and 1 April, rather than Adecco making contact with her and offering her the
placements. I also accept the evidence of Ms Kool that much of the contact made by Adecco
with her after the termination of her Nestle assignment, related to her resume and not to
specific employment offers.
[64] Ms Kool had enjoyed a long term placement in which she ordinarily worked full time
hours. That placement was ended by Adecco at the behest of Nestle in circumstances where
Nestle management had determined that Ms Kool had engaged in misconduct. After her
assignment at Nestle was terminated, Ms Kool was not offered further work for, at best, a
two week, and at worst, a four week period, and the work that was offered was fundamentally
different to that she had performed while at Nestle in that it was sporadic and uncertain.
These factors, in combination, constituted dismissal and in all of the circumstances of this
case, I am satisfied and find that Ms Kool’s employment was terminated at the initiative of
Adecco.
4.2 Was Ms Kool’s dismissal unfair?
4.2.1 Was there a valid reason for the dismissal of Ms Kool?
[65] Where an employee is dismissed because of capacity or conduct, the employer bears
the onus of establishing that the reason for the dismissal was a valid reason. It is well
established that a valid reason for dismissal is one that is sound, defensible and well
35
| founded. | The Commission is not concerned with the question of whether, on the information |
available to the employer, the decision to dismiss an employee was a reasonable one. Rather
the Commission must decide whether there was a valid reason for the dismissal on the basis
[2016] FWC 925
36
| of the evidence of the primary facts placed before it. | A dismissal may be harsh, unjust or |
37
unreasonable, notwithstanding the existence of a valid reason for the dismissal.
[66] In the present case, Adecco made no submission and called no evidence that
specifically addressed the matters in s. 387 of the Act, notwithstanding that the notice of
listing and the Directions required that Adecco file and serve material in relation to the
substantive matter of whether, if Ms Kool was dismissed, the dismissal was unfair. However,
the evidence placed before the Commission makes it clear that the reason for Ms Kool’s
removal from the Nestle site was that Nestle managers formed a view that she had engaged in
misconduct associated with clocking off and that Adecco accepted that this was the case and
terminated her assignment at the Nestle site.
[67] This is not a case where Nestle decided that it wished to reduce the number of labour
hire employees working at its site or where there was some fluctuation in work requirements
at the Nestle site or Ms Kool was replacing an employee who had returned from leave or
some other absence. This was also not a case of a labour hire employee who knowingly
entered into a contract of employment which made it clear that the role was temporary and
could end at any time and where the placement ended because the host employer no longer
wished the work to be performed by a labour hire employee or for some other operational
reason relevant to the host employer.
[68] There was also uncontested evidence from Ms Kool that she was told by Adecco
management that there was no work available at Nestle when in fact Adecco was advertising
for another worker at the Nestle site within a week of Ms Kool being removed from that site.
Ms Towner also confirmed that additional labour hire employees supplied by Adecco had
undertaken work at the Nestle site after the cessation of Ms Kool’s assignment at that site.
[69] It is clear from the evidence – including the statement of Ms Coyne tendered by
Adecco – that management of Nestle instituted disciplinary discussions with Ms Kool about
allegations relating to clocking off. It is also clear that management of Nestle formed a view
that Ms Kool had engaged in misconduct associated with clocking off; that Ms Kool had been
spoken to previously in relation to that conduct; and that for this reason it wanted her removed
from the Nestle site. Ms Kool was escorted from the site by Ms Jackson who is a manager of
Nestle. Management of Adecco simply acquiesced in that decision without any independent
verification of the misconduct alleged against Ms Kool. Ms Kool asserts that there was no
discussion with her about the conclusions that Nestle management had reached in relation to
the clocking off allegations and there is no evidence to the contrary.
[70] There is also uncontested evidence from Ms Towner and Mr Heessakkers that Ms
Kool was not guilty of misconduct in relation to clocking off.
[71] I accept that Adecco, by virtue of its contract with Nestle for the supply of labour, may
have been required to remove Ms Kool from Nestle’s site when it was requested to do so. I
was not assisted by the failure of Adecco to call any direct evidence about the terms of its
contract with Nestle for the supply of labour and the rights of Nestle to seek to remove labour
hire employees from its site. However, it is clear from the evidence placed before the
Commission by Adecco that the reason for the removal of Ms Kool was her conduct.
[72] If I accept Ms Coyne’s witness statement as being a true and correct version of events,
it is apparent that Ms Coyne simply acquiesced in the removal of Ms Kool from the Nestle
[2016] FWC 925
site in circumstances where she had no independent view that there was any issue with Ms
Kool’s capacity or conduct. There is no evidence of any independent attempt on the part of
Ms Coyne or any Adecco manager, to verify whether there was a valid reason for the removal
of Ms Kool from the Nestle site, in circumstances where Ms Coyne’s statement makes it clear
that Ms Coyne knew that the reason for Ms Kool being removed from the site was allegations
about her conduct. I do not accept that Adecco has established that there was a lack of
alternative placements for Ms Kool or that she unreasonably refused an alternative placement
so that it could be said that this constituted a valid reason for dismissal.
[73] Accordingly I am satisfied and find that there was no valid reason for Ms Kool’s
dismissal related to her capacity or conduct.
4.2.2 Did Adecco comply with the procedural matters in s. 387 of the Act?
Notification of reason – s. 387(b)
[74] According to her statement, Ms Coyne knew that Nestle management had concluded
that Ms Kool had engaged in some form of misconduct. Management of Adecco accepted
that this was the case, without any discussion with Ms Kool. The fact that management of
Nestle required that Ms Kool be removed from its site and that Adecco may have had no say
in the matter due to the terms of its contract with Nestle, does not alter the fact that Adecco
terminated Ms Kool’s long term assignment with the result that it dismissed her, without
informing her of the reason for doing so, and in circumstances where its management knew
that the reason for the assignment ending was a conclusion by its client Nestle that Ms Kool
had engaged in misconduct.
Opportunity to respond to reason related to conduct – s. 387(c)
Support person – s. 387(d)
[75] There is insufficient evidence about what the managers of Nestle said to Ms Kool
when the clocking off allegations were raised with her, for me to conclude that Ms Kool was
given an opportunity to respond to those allegations. In any event, Adecco cannot abrogate its
responsibility to notify Ms Kool of the reason related to her capacity or conduct, for her
removal from a long term and steady placement and to give her an opportunity to respond to
that reason. Given that there was no discussion between Ms Kool and management of
Adecco about the clocking off issue, there was no refusal to allow Ms Kool a support person
and this consideration is not relevant.
Warnings – s. 387(e)
[76] There is no evidence that Ms Kool was warned about the clocking off conduct in
circumstances where that conduct was believed by Nestle to be unsatisfactory performance.
According to Ms Coyne, she was told by Mr Carlson and Ms Jackson that this matter had
been previously discussed with Ms Kool. Ms Coyne does not state that she or any other
manager of Adecco was aware of any previous discussions between Ms Kool and
management of Nestle about issues related to Ms Kool’s performance. There is insufficient
evidence upon which I could be satisfied that Ms Kool had been warned about the
unsatisfactory performance.
[2016] FWC 925
Size of Adecco’s Enterprise – s. 387(f) and s. 387(g)
[77] Adecco is a large employer with dedicated human resource management specialists
and expertise. This is not a relevant consideration in whether Ms Kool’s dismissal was unfair.
Other relevant matters – s. 387(h)
[78] There are a number of relevant matters which in my view arise in this case. Managers
of Adecco who dealt with Ms Kool’s case proceeded on the basis that she was a casual
employee placed with Nestle and that her placement could be ended at any time for any
reason. Given its business model and the way in which it engages employees, this view is not
surprising. However, in its dealings with Ms Kool, those managers have failed to appreciate
that:
A fundamental change to the terms and conditions under which an employee is
working can constitute dismissal;
| | Failure to offer work to a casual employee can constitute dismissal; |
| | An employee who is dismissed for reasons relating to the employee’s conduct or |
| capacity is entitled to call into question the validity of the reason for the dismissal by | |
| contending that he or she did not engage in the alleged conduct; | |
| | An employee who is dismissed for reasons that include the employee’s conduct is |
| entitled to raise a failure on the part of the employer to afford the employee procedural | |
| fairness as a basis for asserting that the dismissal was unfair; and | |
| | An employer cannot abrogate its responsibilities to afford procedural and substantive |
| fairness to a dismissed employee by relying on the fact that unfair treatment was | |
| meted out by another entity in which the employer had placed the employee. |
[79] Ms Kool had a lengthy assignment at the premises of Nestle during which she worked
regular hours on what was essentially a full time basis. That assignment was terminated
because management of Nestle reached adverse conclusions about Ms Kool’s conduct and
because management of Adecco accepted this without question and without consideration of
the need to afford Ms Kool substantive or procedural fairness. The effect of this failure was
heightened by the fact that Ms Kool is a single mother of three children who is unable to
access any form of government assistance because she is a citizen of New Zealand.
5. CONCLUSION
[80] For these reasons, I am satisfied and find that Ms Kool’s dismissal was unfair. I am
also satisfied that Ms Kool should have a remedy for her unfair dismissal. Ms Kool has filed
additional material in relation to remedy. I am also conscious that Adecco has not addressed
the question of remedy in the event that its jurisdictional objections are not upheld. If Adecco
wishes to cross-examine Ms Kool in relation to the material that she has filed or make further
submissions in relation to remedy, addressing the matters in s. 392(2) it is required to advise
the Commission by close of business on Wednesday 24 February 2016 and further directions
will issue. In the absence of advice from Adecco, I will proceed to determine the question of
remedy on the basis of the material before me.
[2016] FWC 925
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<Price code C, PR576963>
33
[2013] FWC 1062 at [31].
34
Ibid at [55].
35
Selvchandran v Peteron Plastics (1995) 62 IR 371 at [373].
36
Yew v ACI Glass Packaging Pty Ltd (1996) 71 IR 201 at [205] – [206].
37
B, C and D v Australian Postal Corporation T/A Australia Post [2013] FWCFB 6191 at [41].
1
Exhibit 1.
2
Exhibit 4.
3
Exhibit 2.
4
Exhibit 3.
5
Exhibit 5 and Exhibit 6.
6
PN88 to PN90.
7
PN582.
8
PN582.
9
PN582.
10
PN606 to PN612.
11
PN185.
12
PN185 to PN187.
13
PN221 to PN222.
14
PN225 to PN226.
15
Witness Statement of Louise Coyne submitted by Adecco.
16
PN103 to PN104.
17
PN197 to PN198.
18
PN154.
19
PN339 to PN344.
20
PN349.
21
PN371.
22
PN377 to PN382.
23
PN297.
24
PN311 to PN312.
25
PN45 to PN54.
26
PN592-599.
27
PN98 to PN 102; PN212.
28
Mohazab v Dick Smith Electronics Pty Ltd (No 2) (1995) 62 IR 200 at [205] – [206].
29
PN675.
30
[2010] FWA 8751.
31
Ibid at [52].
32
[2013] FWC 1062.
22
0
0