Rigby v Technisearch Ltd [1996] IRCA 164

DECISION NO: 164/96 CATCHWORDS INDUSTRIAL LAW - TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT - claims in the accrued jurisdiction of the Court - allegations of sexual harassment - independent investigation of sexual harassment allegations - BREACH OF PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS - whether material allegations put to the applicant - termination not for a VALID REASON - whether reinstatement appropriate in all the circumstances of the case - COMPENSATION - calculation of compensation for a non-award employee - whether superannuation constitutes part of the remuneration of an employee Industrial Relations Act 1988 ss 170DC, 170DE, 170EA, 170EE, 170EDA Industrial Relation Regulations r 30DA Superannuation Guarantee Charge Act 1992 Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 June 1986 National Wage Case (1986) 14 IR 187 Thomas Fischer v Commonwealth of Australia & Another, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, NI 3630 of 1995, 16 April 1996, Moore, Beazley and Marshall JJ, as yet unreported May v Lilyvale Hotel Pty Limited, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, NI 95/1963R, 1 December 1995, Wilcox CJ, as yet unreported Messervy v Maldoc Pty Limited ACN 001 091 596 t/as Toongabbie Hotel, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, NI 882 of 1995, 30 June 1995, Wilcox CJ, as yet unreported Anthony Smith & Associates Pty Limited v Gary Sinclair, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, RR 1260 of 1995, 22 April 1996, Wilcox CJ, Moore and Marshall JJ, as yet unreported No. VI 3891 of 1995 PAUL WILLIAM RIGBY v TECHNISEARCH LTD JUDGE: Marshall J PLACE: Melbourne DATE: 3 May 1996

IN THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ) ) COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) ) VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY ) No. VI 3891 of 1995 BETWEEN: PAUL WILLIAM RIGBY Applicant AND: TECHNISEARCH LTD Respondent JUDGE: Marshall J PLACE: Melbourne DATE: 3 May 1996 ORDER THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. It is declared that in terminating the employment of the applicant the respondent contravened ss 170DE and 170DC of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 ("the Act"). 2. Pursuant to section 170EE(3) of the Act the respondent shall pay the applicant, within 21 days hereof, compensation in the sum of $31,100.00. 3. The application be otherwise dismissed. NOTE: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with by Order 36 of the Industrial Relations Court Rules.