Goren and Linkware Australia Pty Ltd [2002] NSWIRComm 336

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION : Goren and Linkware Australia Pty Ltd [2002] NSWIRComm 336 APPLICANT PARTIES : Ms Ceylan Goren RESPONDENT Linkware Australia Pty Ltd FILE NUMBER: 721 of 2002 CORAM: Sams DP Termination of employment - unfair dismissal - whether applicant resigned - constructive dismissal - allegations of sexual harassment - conflicting evidence - unrepresented litigants - principles of constructive dismissal. CATCHWORDS : Held, both unrepresented parties afforded fairness during the proceedings - Commission not moral judge - inappropriate workplace environment - behaviour between work colleagues too familiar - allegations of sexual harassment not proven - applicant's evidence not credible - applicant not innocent victim but willing participant - respondent's evidence preferred - applicant motivated by jealousy - termination of employment not at employer's initiative - resignation not relevant - mutual break in the employment relationship - no dismissal - application dismissed for want of jurisdiction. LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1996 Hollingsworth v Commissioner of Police (No 2) (1999) 88 IR 382 Stevenson and Greenstyle Pty Ltd and Penshurst Pty Ltd t/as Atama Furniture [2002] NSWIRComm 292 Allison v Bega Valley Council (1995) 63 IR 68 Clark v Pittwater RSL Club Ltd (1998) 84 IR 309 CASES CITED : Claric 218 Pty Ltd t/as Sanity Music v Meldrum (1998) 91 IR 296 St Vincents Hospital Sydney Pty Ltd v Harris (unreported) Peterson, Schmidt JJ, O'Neill C, IRC5932 of 1997, 28 May 1998 Britton v Riverstone Public School (unreported) Schmidt J, Sams DP, McLeay C, IRC5504 of 1999, 6 May 1999 Bates v Gundagai District Services Club (unreported) Walton VP, Sams DP, Redman C, IRC4710 of 1999, 14 April 2000 Police Service of New South Wales v Batton (2000) 98 IR 154 Ward v Mobile Innovations Limited (2002) NSWIRComm 287 HEARING DATES: 09/03/2002 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/06/2002