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A manager's "dramatic" shift from supporting an employee to sacking her for serious misconduct was driven by "vindictive personal reasons", the Fair Work Commission has found, in awarding her $56k in compensation.

Commissioner Stephen Crawford found the employee's workplace conduct was reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, and that the dismissal process was "contrived".

The Australian International Islamic College summarily dismissed the pastoral coordinator for serious misconduct in December 2023, after it substantiated complaints she had inappropriately yelled at students. According to the employer, she told students she would make their lives "miserable" and "a living hell".

The employee claimed unfair dismissal, and in June last year Commissioner Crawford ordered the employer to reinstate her, finding termination was a disproportionate response to her conduct.

A full bench of the FWC subsequently upheld the employer's appeal against that decision, finding the Commissioner failed to properly consider witness evidence (read HR Daily's full report of that ruling here)...