Michael John Cock

[2018] FWC 7719

[2018] FWC 7719

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.789FC - Application for an order to stop bullying

Michael John Cock
(AB2018/676)

COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS PERTH, 20 DECEMBER 2018

Application for an FWC order to stop bullying.

[1] This decision concerns an application made by Mr Michael John Cock (Mr Cock or the Applicant) under section 789FC of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Employer/Principal is Indian Ocean Territories Health Services (the Employer/Principal).

[2] On 27 November 2018 the Employer/Principal advised that Mr Cock resigned from his employment effective on 14 December 2018. The Employer/Principal explained that it understood this may affect the Commission’s jurisdiction in relation to the determination of this application.

[3] The Employer/Principal subsequently advised it has no plans, agreements or otherwise in place to re-engage Mr Cock in any capacity.

The legislation

[4] The relevant parts of the legislation are set out below.

“789FA Guide to this Part

This Part allows a worker who has been bullied at work to apply to the FWC for an order to stop the bullying.

789FB Meanings of employee and employer

In this Part, employee and employer have their ordinary meanings.

Division 2—Stopping workers being bullied at work

789FC Application for an FWC order to stop bullying

(1) A worker who reasonably believes that he or she has been bullied at work may apply to the FWC for an order under section 789FF.

…

789FF FWC may make orders to stop bullying

(1) If:

(a) a worker has made an application under section 789FC; and

(b) the FWC is satisfied that:

(i) the worker has been bullied at work by an individual or a group of individuals; and

(ii) there is a risk that the worker will continue to be bullied at work by the individual or group;

then the FWC may make any order it considers appropriate (other than an order requiring payment of a pecuniary amount) to prevent the worker from being bullied at work by the individual or group.

(2) In considering the terms of an order, the FWC must take into account:

(a) if the FWC is aware of any final or interim outcomes arising out of an investigation into the matter that is being, or has been, undertaken by another person or body—those outcomes; and

(b) if the FWC is aware of any procedure available to the worker to resolve grievances or disputes—that procedure; and

(c) if the FWC is aware of any final or interim outcomes arising out of any procedure available to the worker to resolve grievances or disputes—those outcomes; and

(d) any matters that the FWC considers relevant.”

Consideration

[5] With respect to the matters considered below it should be remembered that the Commission has made no decision as to whether or not Mr Cock has been bullied at work in the past.

[6] The Commission only has jurisdiction to make an order under section 789FF of the Act if, amongst other prerequisites, the Commission is satisfied there is a risk of continued bullying of the Applicant at work. Where there is not a risk of future bullying at work there will be no reasonable prospect of success of an application for an order to stop bullying.

[7] The Commission under section 587(1)(c) of the Act is specifically empowered to dismiss an application if it has no reasonable prospect of success.

[8] In the circumstances of this matter I find that there is no reasonable prospect of an order being made by the Commission under section789FF of the Act. Consequently I will exercise my discretion and dismiss this application that was made under section 789FC of the Act.

[9] An Order [PR703332] to this effect will be issued in conjunction with this decision.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

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