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A "very poor" attendance rate combined with repeatedly failing to notify or explain absences meant there were valid reasons to sack an employee, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.

The employee's failure to follow directions was the "more obvious" reason to rely on, but even though it didn't feature in his show-cause or termination letters, the dismissal his fair, said Deputy President Alan Colman.

Woolworths sacked the warehouse storeman in April this year, on the ground that he was not meeting the inherent requirements of his role.

He claimed unfair dismissal, arguing this wasn't a valid reason because he was fit for work. During proceedings, where the employer also argued that he hadn't followed directions to provide notice in advance and evidence of the reasons for his absences, he contended that he had only received one warning, so the dismissal was harsh...