Australian Services Union of N.S.W. v Sydney Water Corporation [2008] NSWIRComm 1064

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION: Australian Services Union of N.S.W. v Sydney Water Corporation [2008] NSWIRComm 1064

APPLICANTS: PARTIES: Australian Services Union of N.S.W (on behalf of Ross Mansfield, Vanghan Francis, Darren Wotton and Jason Meredith) RESPONDENTS: Sydney Water Corporation

FILE NUMBER(S): 2042,2043,2044 of 2007; 114 of 2008

CORAM: Bishop C

CATCHWORDS: Unfair dismissals/demotion - allegations of drinking alcohol during lunch at employee's residence - phone complaint by member of public - managers attend residence to investigate - conflict between accounts of employees and managers - allegations denied - zero alochol policy - intention to drive work vehicles - issues raised re investigative process - managers interviewed jointly - employees separately - credit issues as to evidence raised by both sides - onus on respondent to establish misconduct - employees mitigated loss - found alternative jobs at lower rates of pay - reinstatement sought - restoration of demoted employee to former position sought. HELD : Evidence of employees preferred to that of managers - credit issues against applicants not upheld - credit issues against managers upheld, issues with investigative process - misconduct not established - dismissals harsh unjust and unreasonable. Reinstatement ordered with no loss of pay - any earnings since termination to be taken into account - restoration of demoted employee to former position ordered with no loss of earnings.

LEGISLATION CITED: Industrial Relations Act 1996

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