Log in or become a subscriber

This content requires HR Daily Premium membership. Log in below or sign up here.

Sacking employee for "poor decision-making" while off duty was harsh

An employer proceeded with "undue haste" and insufficient evidence when it sacked an employee for breaching its D&A policy, according to the Fair Work Commission.

"The employee's off-duty conduct clearly and materially impacted his employer's interests," Commissioner Trevor Clarke found, but nonetheless his dismissal was harsh and unreasonable.

Sleepeezee Bedding Australia summarily sacked the heavy combination truck driver in May last year, after a preliminary roadside test while he was on shift returned a positive result for a prohibited drug.

In unfair dismissal proceedings, the employee admitted to using cannabis socially while off duty the prior weekend. But he claimed he wasn't a regular user, and said he thought it would have been out of his system within 24 hours, therefore not affecting him at work...

Log in or become a subscriber
Subscriber login

Having trouble using your subscription? Contact us for help or check our FAQ page here for answers to commonly asked questions.

HR Daily Premium membership

Sign up now for all the benefits of HR Daily Premium membership.

Join here to stay informed

HR Daily Premium members are Australia's best-informed HR leaders and practitioners when it comes to HR news, thought leadership, legal compliance and emerging trends. Unlock premium membership to receive:

Full access to our news library Breaking news updates each day Complimentary passes to all webinars Webcasts streaming on demand Q&A sessions on hot topics And much more