Foster and Woolworths Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 208

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION : Foster and Woolworths Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 208 APPLICANT PARTIES : Gregory James Foster RESPONDENT Woolworths Limited FILE NUMBER: 6385 of 1999 CORAM: Sams DP Termination of employment - gross misconduct - sexual harassment of employees and customers - credibility of witnesses - whether dismissal "harsh, unreasonable or unjust" - procedural fairness - compensation sought. CATCHWORDS : Held, allegations of sexual misconduct proven - employer's onus discharged - applicant knowingly and intentionally exposed himself in the workplace - evidence of complainants preferred - explanations implausible - investigation appropriate and thorough - no denial of procedural fairness - Commission declines to intervene - application dismissed. LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1996 Four Sons Pty Ltd v Lamsiripothong (unreported) Wright P, Hungerford J, Cambridge C, IRC6337 of 1999, 20 March 2000 Pastrycooks Employees, Biscuit Makers Employees & Flour and Sugar Goods Workers Union (NSW) v Gartrell White No 3, 35 IR 70 Shop Distributive & Allied Employees' Association v Jewel Food Stores, 22 IR 2 Franklins Limited v Webb, 72 IR 257 Bigg & Anor v New South Wales Police Service, 80 IR 434 Ueckert and Australian Water Technologies Pty Ltd (unreported) Matter IRC5553 of 1999, 25 July 2000 Standley v Electronics Boutique Australia Pty Ltd (unreported) IRC4516 of 1998, 18 March 1999 Hill v Department of Juvenile Justice (unreported) IRC6474 of 1999, 27 July 2000 CASES CITED : Byrne & Anor v Australian Airlines (1995) 185 CLR 410 Bankstown City Council v Paris (1999) 93 IR 209 National Unionof Workers, New South Wales Branch, on behalf of Phillip Charles Mumby, and Davids Distribution Pty Ltd (unreported) Matter IRC2056 of 1999, 9 February 2000 Wang v Crestell Industries Pty Ltd, 73 IR 454 Rapp v Wauchope RSL Club, 81 IR 116 Mason v Electricity Commission of New South Wales t/as Pacific Power (1995) 62 IR 436 Burke v McGirr (1995) 87 IR 54 Busways v Johnson, 55 IR 255 Antanakopoulos v State Bank of New South Wales (1999) 91 IR 385 HEARING DATES: 06/19/2000; 06/22/2000 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 10/27/2000