Know What's Happening in Industry

Unfair Dismissal Ruling Stands, Despite "Profoundly Troubling" Evidence

The Fair Work Commission’s full bench refused to overturn an unfair dismissal finding against a University of Melbourne professor, despite evidence of inappropriate conduct with a student. The professor was terminated in December 2024 for alleged “wilful and deliberate contraventions” of the university’s behaviour policy stemming from a 2017 incident. The bench allowed the appeal on public‑interest grounds but concluded the employer had not demonstrated a factual error in the original decision. Consequently, the dismissal remains classified as unfair under Australian law.