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An employer failed its workforce by putting its "head in the sand" rather than addressing misconduct complaints, but it has nonetheless defended a worker's forced resignation claim.

The Bright Life Homes trades assistant made a general protections application involving dismissal, to which the employer objected on the basis she "freely" quit her job.

The Fair Work Commission heard the employee had worked well with her colleagues up until early 2023, when "animosity developed" after a disagreement with two workers, including a teenage apprentice.

In March last year, the employee tendered her resignation due to colleagues allegedly bullying her, engaging in time fraud, and stealing building supplies from work sites, however the employer convinced her not to leave and offered her a promotion to head trades assistant...