Rowan Hutchinson v Walcha Council [2016] NSWIRComm 1006

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Rowan Hutchinson v Walcha Council [2016] NSWIRComm 1006 Hearing dates: 18 and 19 May 2015 Date of orders: 23 July 2015 Decision date: 24 February 2016 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Stanton C Decision: Dismissal determined harsh - compensation ordered Catchwords: Termination of employment with notice – harsh, unjust and unreasonable dismissal – allegations concerning conduct, performance and failure to comply with directions - whether loss of trust and confidence - credit of witnesses – apprehended bias - numerous directions and warnings issued - warnings clear and unambiguous - purpose of warnings - procedural fairness - refusal to acknowledge behaviour and conduct - whether dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable – conduct as alleged disenfranchised applicant from alternative penalty to dismissal – dismissal harsh – age, provision of financial information and identified training requirements considered – compensation ordered. Legislation Cited: Industrial Relations Act 1996 Cases Cited: Antonakopoulos v State Bank (1999) 91 IR 385 Buckman v Burdekin (1998) 85 IR 415 Corrective Services NSW v Danwer [2013] NSWIRComm 61 Department of Health v Perihan Kaplan [2010] NSWIRComm 65 at [25] - [32] Electricity Commission of New South Wales t/as Pacific Power v Crump (1993) 48 IR 296 Franklins Ltd v Webb (1996) 72 IR 257 Humphries v Cootamundra Ex-Services and Citizen's Memorial Club Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 211 at [118] Little v Commissioner of Police (No 2) (2002) 112 IR 212 at [88] NUW (on behalf of Wayne Khan) v Cuno Pacific Pty Ltd [2005] NSWIRComm 388; (2005) 146 IR 441 at [64] Pastrycooks, Biscuit Makers & Flour and Sugar Goods Workers Union (NSW) v Gartrell White (No 3) (1990) 35 IR 70 at [83] Perkins v Grace Worldwide (Australia) Pty Limited (1997) 72 IR 186 at [191] Plummer v Stannard Bros Launch Service [2005] NSWIRComm 301 Riley v Workcover Authority [2006] NSWIRComm 108 at [94] Category: Principal judgment Parties: Rowan Hutchinson