Jacqueline Sally McNicol and Westco Jeans Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 111

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION : Jacqueline Sally McNicol and Westco Jeans Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 111 APPLICANT: PARTIES : Ms Jacqueline Sally McNicol RESPONDENT: Westco Jeans Pty Ltd FILE NUMBER: 4675 of 2003 CORAM: Sams DP Termination of employment - casual or part time employment - retail industry - conduct of proceedings - hours of work - applicant taken off roster - constructive dismissal - whether termination of employment at the initiative of the employer - whether dismissal harsh, unreasonable or unjust - procedural fairness. CATCHWORDS : Held, criticism of respondent's approach to the proceedings - failure to bring evidence - applicant's evidence preferred - applicant taken off the roster without warning or notice - applicant taken off the roster due to inquiries about her wages - constructive dismissal established - dismissal harsh, unreasonable and unjust - dismissal procedurally unfair - reinstatement impractical - compensation appropriate - order limited by s89(5) of the Act - compensation ordered. LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1996 Allison v Bega Valley Council (1995) 63 IR 68 Bates v Gundagai District Services Club (unreported, Walton VP, Sams DP, Redman C, Matter IRC99/4710, 14 April 2000) Britton v Riverstone Public School (unreported, Schmidt J, Sams DP, McLeay C, Matter IRC99/5504, 6 May 1999) Claric 218 Pty Ltd t/as Sanity Music v Meldrum (1998) 91 IR 296 CASES CITED : Clark v Pittwater RSL Club Ltd (1998) 84 IR 309 St Vincents Hospital Sydney Limited v Harris (unreported. Peterson, Schmidt JJ, O'Neill C, Matter IRC97/5932, 28 May 1998) Police Service of New South Wales v Batton (2000) 98 IR 154 Smith v Director General of Education (1993) 51 IR 204 Ward v Mobile Innovations [2002] NSWIRComm 287 HEARING DATES: 03/29/2004 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 05/21/2004