Leanne Jarvis and Sam Costandi [2005] NSWIRComm 311

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION: Leanne Jarvis and Sam Costandi [2005] NSWIRComm 311

APPLICANT Ms Leanne Jarvis PARTIES: RESPONDENT Mr Sam Costandi

FILE NUMBER(S): 229 of 2005

CORAM: Sams DP

Termination of employment - unfair dismissal - heated argument between employee and employer - applicant left the workplace - whether applicant abandoned her employment - whether applicant resigned her employment - constructive dismissal - conflict of evidence - principles of constructive dismissal - conduct after termination. CATCHWORDS: Held, applicant's evidence to be preferred - employer's aggressive and abusive conduct - applicant sent away or forced to leave the workplace - purported resignation not evidence of resignation - employer the effective initiator of the termination of employment - applicant constructively dismissed - no warning of dismissal - employer's conduct unacceptable - dismissal had no basis in fact - dismissal harsh, unreasonable and unjust - procedural unfairness - reinstatement impracticable and undesirable - compensation ordered.

LEGISLATION CITED: Industrial Relations Act 1996

Abboud v The State of the New South Wales (Department of School Education) (1999) 92 IR 32 Allison v Bega Valley Council (1995) 63 IR 68 Antonakopoulos v State Bank of New South Wales (1999) 91 IR 385 Bankstown City Council v Paris (1999) 93 IR 209 Buckman v Burdekin (1998) 85 IR 415 Burke v McGirr (1995) 87 IR 54 Byrne & Anor v Australian Airlines Limited (1995) 185 CLR 410 CASES CITED: D & R Commercial Pty Ltd v Flood (2002) 113 IR 344 Humphries v Cootamundra Ex-Services and Citizens Memorial Club [2003] NSWIRComm 211 Johnson v Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Parramatta (1998) 87 IR 57 Oswald v NSW Police Service (1999) 90 IR 42 Outboard World v Muir (1993) 51 IR 167 Smith v Director General of Education (1993) 51 IR 204 Ward v Mobile Innovations [2002] NSWIRComm 287 Wilson v Department of Education and Training (2000) 100 IR 1 Williams and Pigment Dispersions Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 268