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The lasting impacts of unfair dismissals underscore an "urgent need" for a more fair and caring approach, Australian researchers say.

Published this month in the Journal of Industrial Relations, the paper by Kim Southey and David Martin from the University of Southern Queensland's School of Business examines the harm employees can experience before, during, and after a "perceived or actual" unfair dismissal.

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with individuals experienced in advocating for dismissed workers, and with employees who had lodged unfair dismissal claims.

Whether the employee was "successful" in their claim was not the researchers' focus, as they said employees who perceived a job loss as unfair could still be exposed to lasting harm – including to their wellbeing, happiness, career, and financial standing – regardless of the claim's outcome...