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A tribunal has criticised an employer's "combative" response to an employee's workplace adjustment request, upholding his discrimination claim and flagging a potential $900k compensation order.

"It is unfathomable that issuing show cause letters that threaten termination can be part of a meaningful negotiation or consultation process designed to make reasonable adjustments to keep an employee with a good performance record in employment. To suggest that it is is rather chilling," Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Anita Smith said.

The employee was a local laws officer, who had worked for Boroondara City Council for 13 years. He claimed the employer discriminated against him based on his disability when it sacked him in October 2024 for being unable to perform the inherent requirements of his role.

The Tribunal heard that the employee suffered a work-related shoulder injury in 2016. His shoulder recovered, but he has residual vulnerability to headaches, and neck and back pain...