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Losing a job held for nearly 30 years was likely to have an "extremely significant effect" on an employee, but she was "given every opportunity to avoid that outcome", according to the Fair Work Commission.

The employer spent more than a year supporting her with performance processes, and made "genuine and rigorous" efforts to avoid sacking her, Commissioner Ben Redford said, in ruling her dismissal was fair.

The employee had worked for Services Australia and previous iterations of the same Federal Government agency for 29 years and 11 months when she was dismissed in April this year.

She claimed the dismissal was unfair, especially given its "significant effect over her personal and economic circumstances". The employer, on the other hand, relied on its need for high standards in providing its services, and the fact it spent 15 months supporting her to improve her performance...