Trotter and AstraZeneca Pty Ltd [2006] NSWIRComm 1130

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION: Trotter and AstraZeneca Pty Ltd [2006] NSWIRComm 1130

APPLICANT PARTIES: Merran Cecily Trotter RESPONDENT AstraZeneca Pty Ltd

FILE NUMBER(S): 4786 of 2005

CORAM: Stanton C

Termination of employment - dismissal of sales representative - mobile telephone usage - alleged dishonest conduct - investigation determined misconduct of summary nature - termination by payment of notice - admission that call recording inaccurate - company policies - principles of summary dismissal - procedural fairness - whether dismissal harsh, unreasonable or unjust - compensation sought. CATCHWORDS: Held, dismissal harsh and unreasonable - compensation ordered.

LEGISLATION CITED: Industrial Relations Act 1996

Antonakopoulos v State Bank of New South Wales (1999) 91 IR 385 Australian Services Union of New South Wales (on behalf of J Davidson) and Hunter Water Corporation [2004] NSWIRComm 7 Bankstown City Council v Paris (1999) 93 IR 209 Byrne & Anor v Australian Airlines Limited (1995) 61 IR 32 Concut Pty Ltd v Worral and Anor (2000) 103 IR 160 Electricity Commission of New South Wales t/as Pacific Power v Crump (1993) 48 IR 296 Electricity Commission of New South Wales t/as Pacific Power v Nieass and Others (1995) 81 IR 46 Franklins Ltd v Webb (1996) 72 IR 257 CASES CITED: Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Laws v London Chronicle (Indicator Newspapers) Ltd [1959] 2 All ER 285 New South Wales Fire Brigade Employees' Union (on behalf of Natoli) and New South Wales Fire Brigades [2005] NSWIRComm 440 North v Television Corporation Limited (1976) 11 ALR 599 Pastrycooks Employees, Biscuit Makers Employees and Flour and Sugar Goods Workers' Union (NSW) v Gartrell White No 3 (1990) 35 IR 70 Western Suburbs District Ambulance v Tipping [1957] AR (NSW) 273 Woodman v The Hoyts Corporation Pty Ltd (2001) PR906309 at [34]