Drake v Charlie's Pty Ltd [1995] QIRC 270 (1995) 149 QGIG 995

QUEENSLAl'\1D G OV ER ME NT INDUS TRIAL GAZ ETTE (28 July . 1995 28 July , 19951 QUE ENS L AN D G OVE RNM ENT I NDUST RI AL GA ZETT E 995 ()llFI. '- LANI) INl)IJSfHIAL 1~1-1.J\'I IONS COMf\llSSIO>J l11d11.\/rntl lfrlaii<m, .-la I '190 s 195 applic ,11ion for rcin,1:ucn1cnt s 2 97 - applic,uinn for compcnsauon 1\NU f \n. /1 ,\J.J nj l 1NIJ ( CJ\ I\IJS\IO >JER B()l 1( ,OU RI · I) JulJ 1995 r e, m111:11i<1n uf h11pi,lJ mi.:111 - I>1sn11"o1l - Rcspondcni ( la1111s \l.ihd lt..: ·1 ,11 11 for lli~nm,al llandling ol Ccnam ~ t,inic, i\lh:gcdlJ ,\rn11 un1~ 111 S1cal111g or .\1i,-1pprupn,11ion \\ 'itn,•ss I , idcni:c - R.:tcrcncc 10 a "\ccond I 111" R.:lcrcnc<: to Sctond Cheque from CncJ l O)J I li,1orJ of '-ccond Co.:;i ( u!a l'hcquc '-cco11d Cheque K11m,n to \c, crc1I l'copll! - \kcling lkh,.:en Applic,mt. RcsponJcn ! ,mJ Rc~pondcnt' s SoliLilor D1,m1s\al I IJr..h. l ' n1L1,I or l 111c,M1nahlc - Val id Rc.ison . 111 Fs1Jhft,hed D, mi:;.,.:1 1·11 1a,\lul , \ppliL:111011 (J1.1ntcd - ( ompcn,~tinn , \\\ Jrdcd Applic,un "" " nkd 511.'IOO 00 to 11': Paid on or llcforc 30 )cp1c1nbcr 1995 Dl;('ISIO'-1 .Ay appli«.:alion filed on 8 Aut:ust 199.J P ..: 1cr Bruce Dr.ike (lhc applicJnt ). d fonncr cmployLc nf Charlie· , Ply. Lid scd,, rcl1d under the hu/11~1rial R1•/a1io111 .4cl 1990 (lhc 1\ ct) The n.:licf sought m,1) be hndl~ 1.kscnbcd as . (al Rcm\l:llcment to a position \\ith Charlic·s l't) l.td. (b) Rcmuncrauon of lost ""!,!c:. bet\\L-.!n dale of d1sm1,,al and dc1cnrnna11011 of tlm matter. ((} I n thc ahcmati,c. wmpcnsa1ion apprupri.itc 10 pul him in the -'amc po~ili"n :i.. ifhc h.i<l not bccn dismi:,,cd. (c) C:osls. (d) \uch tunher and other orders a, lh <.: Co 1n111i ,s 1on c1111$ idcr, .ippropridtc.:. The c, 1dencc ..:,iablishcs an cmplo) cr/ cmp lo)CC rclation~h1p I hc .ipplicJnt h.id bci.:n crnplo) L'd b) lhc rc:,ponJcnt since 1'-o"cmbcr 1978. II is not J,~pulcd that 1h i.: applirnnl wa,. on I Augu~l 199-1 . dhm 1s.,cd as 1ha1 lcnn 1, undcNood m lcnn!> of1h1: At:I ·1he rcsp;,ndcn1 ,uhmi1~ tha1 J , alid rcJ.,on for t..hsnu~~al ha, been cstahh~hcd ·1he focb 1.hrcctly rc lc, a111 to the d ism ,s,al mv oll c the applica111 ·s handling ot S 1.000.00 1 he rc,pondcnl has ,11bmit1cd 1h.u 1hc applicant', conduc1 111 n:IJlion 10 lhc $ I .000.00 amo11n1s 10 s 1cal i11 g or mis:ipprnpn,llion and is therefore a va litl iC,N>n for dismissal. ~lr \l uloncJ. for th e rc,pondcnt. conlcJcd lhJt ,hould I find ugnins1 him on 1ha 1 i,su1.: then 1bcrc wa~ no val id rca,011 lo r d1~111i,,ml. In addi1iun 10 t:h 1111,: evidence h101,clt: lhe applicant called 1hc lollo" mg "11111.:ssc,: <,h.:1111 Ad, 1an 1)0\\'\ I· S. ,1 fonncr cmplo) cc of the rc~pondL'lll, who rnnli rmcd 1h.it cc , w in ca~h advance~ had hL'<:n mad.: lo tum b) 1hc Jppl1c:1n1 2 R11J I bi<. \\ RIGGLr<;. a lmmi.:r pJrt 1mncr ot lharhc·, l't) . I td .. "ho had hccn ai.:11vd) 11woh cd in lh c hu, inc, s since 19 77 and lhrough thc cn1irc period nf lhL· applicolnl •~ cmplo~rncn1. 3. John Ll ·~I\. Jn cmplo)cc ,ll <'harlre·~ l't) I tJ. on and off sinn: 1982 . h L11 1thu " 11 01 prcs.:nll) c1np lo)cd ..il Ch ar lk '., l'l~ I .Id \fr I ..,a ga,,: c, 1Jrncc ot his 1.no"lc<ll(e ot the seco nd l' oc .1 Cola chn1 11 c li.>r Sl.500 .U O. 1h c pru~l ii.:..: M rcp,1) ahlc 1,;ash JUI ancc, to ,1aff and the opera11on of 1hc ~ccond till. from "hich .11ld1t1ona l c<1,h 11"> 111c111:, were 111adc lo ~1,111c staff and cmncr, or lhc husincs,. 4 ll rcnd an Paul FOi.l· Y. 1hc l'm1110 1i ons and l:n1 c rtainrni.:111 \f ~nagcr tor the C,old ( 1•:ist Cll) Council h ,r 8 )Cars up 10 191/5 In pa n icular. f\ lr Folc.:y μa ,·e c,· 1d.: n<.:c i n rclm ,nn l\\ the ,ccond Coc..t Cola d1eque for $1.500.00. cufl\cr.,aliuns he had 1111h the .ippli~.1111 about ll. 1hc <•r g:1n rsa ti o 11 of pm11101111nJI acu, i1ics Jnd ,omc cun,cr,,11ions "1th l\lr Dt,wnic. 1,1c D1rcc1or or ChJrlic·, Pt~. I !d .. \\h0 ,,as i nrnll cd 111 the dism is sa l ,> f th <.: app li c,,nt 011 hc.:h,ill' 01· th.: rc , pondcnt. J\ 1r l\folo11cy c,il lcd the fol lo ll' 111g \\ i llh!'-~~: - Jctlrcy Doui;la., JOfl'-.';O!'J. a Solic11or. ,,ho ,,a, pre,cnt ,, hen allc i; alion, in rclJ1io11 IO $ 1. 900. 00 in 101,1). but incluJing 1hc sern11d ( ' oca Colu cheq11.: fu, $ 1.500 00. W\!rc ru1 lt • the ,1J1 piic,1nt JnJ h<! " -,1' ,1~1.L-J tor c,r,Janm1un,. -- 1 of 3 -- 996 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE [28 July, 1995 2 .Judith Anne Ki\Rl\1. a part-time book.keeper. emplo)ed at Charlic·s Ply. Ltd. as from 18 July 1994. Ms Karrn was the person who reported to Mr Downie her suspicions in relation to cheques totalling Sl.900.00 hut including the second Coca Cola cheque for$ l .500 00 ;\t the commencement of the hearing rvlr Molone) indicated that he \\Ould be calling as a witness Mr Ci. D(mnie. the Director who was directly responsible for the dismissai. Mr Downie 's statement of evidence was exchanged \\ith Ms Prior. for the applicant. and a copy supplied to me. ;\Iler the conclusion of the applicant's case \1r \1oloney stated that he no longer intended to call Mr DO\vnie and I thereupon returned the aforesaid statement and indicated I \\Ould disregard its contents. Alter the exchan12e of statements. Mr Moloney submitted that in r-:lation to th-: statement of the appiicant paragraphs 5] to 60. relating to an explanation regarding a S400 cheque. paragraphs 70 lo 80. regarding the ··Second Till" and paragraphs 8 I to 85. relating to suh,cqucnt di,cussions hel\,ccn the panics in relation to a settlement of the issue. should be excluded. I rukd that such C\ idcnec should not he excluded. It is 111) vie\\ that ev idcncc nf an explanation in relation to the S400 cheque is relevant under tltc circumstances. It \\as one of the allegations put to the applicant on I August l 994 and whilst the rc>pondcnt has apparent\_: accepted the explanation given. it still forms part of the circumstances \\ hich lead to the mcetinf. It is of some relevance tn show that the applicant did satisfactorily answer some allegations and it is also part of a 12-eneral cour,e of conduct in relation to the handling of 1inanccs at Charlie ·s Pt) Ltd. The evidence in relation to the Second Till was also relevant. in that it ev idcnccd a course of conduct and the environment in which linancial matters \\et-c dealt \\ith at Char\ic·s Pty I td .. hut it also provided portion of the applicant's remuneration. which is directlv rcie\ant tu the 1.ssuc of the applicant's remunerallon and compensation. The nidcncc of efforts by the parties to resohc the dispute do not pu171ort to be made on a without prejudice basis. but do have relevance to the potential rcmed) llf reinstatement in that it seems the position has been 11\lcd. If the applicant had re_1ectcd an offer ol employment it would ha\c been rclcv ant on the issue of mitigation of loS'>. \"he applicmt is entitled to tender evidence or action taken by him to mitigate his loss and to c,piain any offer ol employment made to him. l lm\c\ er. I have not relied upon paragraph 83 of the applicc1nt 's statc1ni.:nt ( Lxhihit 2) 1n reaching n1y ultirnak conclusions in this matter. On l August 1994 the applicant \ntS called to a meeting with 'vlr Downie. Mr Downie is an Accountant and the meeting was held in his ortice at Coopers and lybrand at llundall. Mr Murph). another partner in Charlic·s Pty \td. is also an Accountant. Mr Downie had arranged for the attendance or his Solicitor. l\1r Johnson. The meeting was called folhming upon Ms Kann indicating certain suspicions to \,1r DO\vnie. ;\t such meeting a list ol ](, cheques ( Lxhihit 3) was produced. A satisfactory explanation seems tu have been readilv gi\ en in relation to all cheques \Vith the exception of a cheque for $400.00. drawn b) the (iold Coast Cit) Council. and a cheque for SI .500.00. drawn hv Coca Cola. Whilst the cheque for ':>400.00 1s no longer in dispute. the applicant was called upon to c,plain it and it is relevant to mention it in some detail to indicate the practical en, ironmcnt in \\ hiclt the applicant was working. 1'11c evidence. which l accept. is that the applicant had made holiday pay advances tn employees Dmrncs and o·Donncll. out of the cash takings or Charlie·s Pty. Ltd. and had e,idcnced this b) means of what \\as referred to as an --101 .. or "chit". Suhsequcntl;. the applicant had balanced the takings by use of the $400.00 cheque. Since the matter is not in contest before me. I will not go into further detail, other than to say that the applicant has satisfactorily explained the incident. One may be critical of the advance systc:m which operated. but it had. in fact. operated for many years. was obviously known to the Directors and seems to have been a practical v,ay of handling particular situations. There is evidence from various witnesses as to the existence of the "advance .. system for employees. Mrs Wriggle· s deceased husband had apparently instituted the system to help employees when necessary so as to discourage them from "helping themselves·· to takings Mr Lesa gave evidence that in the absence of the applicant he gave out cash advances to cmplo:, ecs and put an "IOlJ" in the till until the money was repaid. The second cheque which was queried by Mr Downie in some detail. and which still remains in contention. is the second $ l .500.00 Coca Cola cheque. It is necessary to outline some history of this matter to understand what was involved. ;\ta meeting of the Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce Promotions Committee. the applicant and witness Mr Foley of the (iold Coast City Council were authorised to approach companies for sponsorship in the Surfers Mall Arca. One of the companies approached was Coca Cola. \\hich had significant supply arrangements with Charlie·s l'ty. Ltd. ;\ta meeting involving representatives of Coca Cola, the applicant and Mr Folcv. Coca Cola agreed to supply Sl.500.00. lhc Coca Cola rcprcscntative indicated that, for Company reasons. the cheque \Vould have to be pa_: able to Charlie 's Pty. Ltd., hov,ev,;r, I am satisfied that the $1.500.00 was for use in the Mall promotional activities and was not mtended to become part of the funds of Char\ie·s Pty. Ltd. or to benefit Charlie·s Pty. Ltd .. other than by way of promotional activities which jointly benefited various businesses in the area. The first cheque for $1,500 00 duly arrived from Coca Cola and Mr l·oley arran12cd for its endorsement by the applicant in farnur of the Ciold Coast City Council and Alderman le,. Bell came and collected it. The fact that the: applicant did not pay the cheque. payable to Charlie's Pty. Ltd., into the li.mds of Charlie·s Pty. Ltd. and merely endorsed it in favour of the (iold Coast City Council is not questioned. I he difficulty arises in respect of a second cheque for SI .500.00. dated 15 July 1994. which was received from Coca Cola hy Char\ie·s Pt). Ltd. on 18 July 1994. I am satisfied that the cheque was not due to Charlie· s Pty. Ltd. for any scr\ ice rendered hut was in fact paid for the same reason as the first cheque. Suhsequently it was established that the second cheque was paid in error hut for the same purpose as the first cheque. f'he cheque payment had merely been duplicated from different Coca Cola orticcs. The existence of the second $1.500. 00 Coca Cola cheque was known to Ms Kann. Mr Lesa and Mrs Wriggles. The applicant also discussed it with Mr Foley of the Cio\d Coast City Council. I accept that some uncertainty existed as to the purpose of the second cheque and I accept the applicant raised with Mr Foley whether it might he a further commitment from Coca Cola. l accept Mr Fo\ey·s evidence that the applicant offered to gi\c him the cheque. however, it was mutually agreed that the applicant retain the cheque. Some da:,s later. on 25 July 1994. the applicant asked Ms Karm to bank the cheque and said --1 want the Coca Cola cheque deposited quickly so they don't realise they've paid us twice". The applicant had already told Ms Kam1 that the cheque was for promotional pu171oses. The cheque was placed in the takings and $1.200.00 in cash removed. and an "JOU" for $300.00 destroyed. It \\ as a!ier this that Ms Kann reported the issue to Mr Downie, hut at that tnne she was obviously also su,picious of the cheque for S400.00 pre,ious!y mentioned and explained at the meeting on I August 1994. Ms Kann had only been employed for a couple of 15805 I.DOC 28 July, 1995] QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 997 v~eeks and. was pmbahly not familiar with the irregular tenn. practices of Charlie 's Pty I td · ,1. - L • matters. • • • • m re at1on to some but long financial Mr Folev savs that u b ,· , · ,f' . (_ ·. . c· l· • • pon cmg 11. ormcd of the second ", I ~(}() (}(J. oca o a cheque he . - , ·d r , , · · ' ·- · · f. . • arrdrtbc or .o.,00.00 to be paid to the Co ·1 or promot1onal activities TI • . , . . • unc1 to Mr I_. , , .. d . . • • 11s pdyment_ was made by the applicant OIC) an 1s e\·tdenc 'd h . . , 1994 Af't, , ·h·. e ) a copy ol a receipt dated 18 Julv • er cas mg the $ I 500 00 Co , c . • takinas of Ch· i- • l' • • Cd ola cheque mto the " ' ar tc s ty. Ltd., the applicant k, t $?00 0() · deposited $1 000 00 · 1 • . cp ~ • m cash and chc u, , , • . • 111 lls own cheque account. In cash in' the q e the applicant onlv removed $ I 200 00 1· ('\ .. g Ltd. takino - • .. . . ' . . • • rom - 1arltc s Ptv ·c-S Sl!1Cc; there \\as 111 existence an ··1ot I" , • '. . ' $300.00 alrcadv paid lli tlie C' .1 . , _ ' rcprcscntmg the • ounct 111 C'lsh Jl . 1· kept $200 ()() in cash b, .. l , l '· • _ le app tcant says he • ccause ie l 10ught Mr hi\ey would b. , . some more monev soon I r . . : e \vanttng probable. , • • md this explanallon reasonable and This was the state of ff • , • - 1• .. (_' • a airs 111 relation to the second 'ii l ~00 00 , Ocd o\a cheque when the meetino \\ith M [) .. ,, -- • Johnson was held. " 1 r O\\IIJC and Mr At the meeting on I ;\uoust 1994 h I . tc • wit out am ad, mce t 1e applicant was sub·. ·d , ' \\drnmg. I) . •. , • • Jl'Ck to qutte aggressive qucstionino bv Mr o,, n1e. an Accountant , M J I "' • ' , 1. , • ano r - o rnson. a Solicitor. \\'hi\ •t tl . app tc,mt seems to have he. . hi , . ,. s 1e all chcq , . . . . ' en a e to sat1s1y Mr Downie in respect of I ues. exccptmg the second Coca Cola cheqtt" 1·t 1··- f',. t t tat ',() . f h. ~- ' ulr O sav • me o is answers in respect of the latter che u, .. , . . . • , not to have been entirelv f , . , 1 . . . q e seem tnt!tali) that tit, , I',, . • onnrtb 1t ,md eonvmc111g. It mav well be c app ,cant found himself in an emb· rr· .· ' . • . experienced some diff. I . . . . _ d ass1ng s1tuat1on and I . . _- tcu t) m cxplammg cxactlv wlnt did o .. ,canno 111 mmd tint . . . , . • • ccur. 1 . " ' some unusu,tl lcature, were involved F . t 1mg. there was. at the time. some real , ,· or :me intended to send the second chc uc Fv, do~bt_ th<1t _coca Cola at the hearing b ,f . . . q • • en _u 11 cler cross-cxam111at1on diflicult to fc; c ore me. I found some of the apr,licant's answers . J 1• llm,. even though apparcntlv honest and Mr I } .. • Sim t iat at the interview 011 I Aunust. , , • • . , ' . • 0 llbon aμ1tated and there \\ere , I t f i" . I ))4 the applicant \\as unintcl\io 1·ble '1 1 1 . d O O t itngs th at he said that ,1ere ,.. • 1' r .,o rnson said -- . . l of what he was talkino ·ib - t" I •• } ou cou cl _not make any sense I c- ' OU • 11 111\ Vie\\ It IS Opel t . j cJ t 1at. at the mectino the ,1 r,. :1 . , • . 1 o cone u c 111 ·1' . , . d c-• 'pp tcant. \\ JJ\st attcmptmu to do S(• d1·d '"e dn ma equ·1te • · \· • · - L • '· f II I . ' exp <1nat1on of his conduct. and probahlv dill t LI ) exp atn the whole matter. It seen . I. , , ... . • ' no stao, t\ . . 1·.. . is t ldt dt a tcasonablv carlv """ 1c dpp leant was aggressive\, in fon ·cl I , } . . . - . - the applicant made no effort tD hide I . , .. , , . Coia cheque from a nu111b, f t 1c cx1.stcnce of the second ( ·oca . "r o persons J ; J . • . with an intent to use th, , . • • ·, '' l,c 1 seems 1ncons1stcnt purposes. • c maJor part ol the cheque for his 0\\11 It is 110\\ neccs,an to constdcr \\h, I , established •i va 'id .. _ d et icr the rc,pondent h,h ' 1 reason tor tsmtssa\ It •. . h - applicant was dismissed 1-0 , , 1. 1 • • ts su mttted that the , • • r a \ a tu reason related t l • . , . performance as Manaoer 01 • c·i , 1. . 1 ° 11s conduct and b 1ar 1c s 'ty. l td TI . , . relates to the handling of th .. ,. , C ., • • le valtd reason. . c secono oca ( ola chcqu, r ,. 1 -,}() , and Ill particular M '1 I . • c or·' .)i .Ou • , r 1v o one, subtr t • th · h . $ J 00(J (J(J b.· . . ' • ' 1 s at t e applicant ,fok , · - cmg portion of th, . d · - intention ofrcpa:,ing it. e procee s of that cheque and had no Submissions hmc been made h. b h .. . . j } -' ot p,irt1-:s lll rchll" l' \\ 1ct 1er or not the sum of$ I 000 00 , . _ ' .,n c> f- j . • • \\ dS stolen hv the ·mpl • .. t 1 Ill' tl unneccssarv to make a •·p"c1·1·1c f'1 d. ·1 . •. !Cdll • . • . • ., ~ 11 mu on t 1at t · , j \ tew my determmation should he based upon ~he fa 't . ts.uc. . n m:, a whole bearing in • d l . c uc1 sttuat1on as distinct i· . . . nl1111 tie onus o! proof in these proceedinos ·1s • rom cnm1na proceed1nos. In 111\ v "\, , . , . . c-·. ' .• technically guiltv of stealinp th· t I . , i~ v. C\cn lf a person ts d. · . • ,.. a l ocs not nccess·mlv , -r··. 1sm1ssal 111 all cases and con,crscl .., , , ......... ' .• .JUS tl} a that docs not n'.'. ' . • } • e\ en I I S\c,J\ 111 12 IS not proven () , ecessanly mean that d1sm1ssal mav not b, . tT 'cl nc must always consider all\ 1eculiar _' c Jus I te • circumstances in dct ... • . i" r .. •. unusual or m1ugating to what I ·a:d . J~,1111n111g \\ icthcr d1sm1ssal is justified. I refer s l in omus v. /)11rl1nf: !Jowr·1· H . (' Associa1ion(\45()('IC2"') I I '_ '· mon °-opcrative 1 •1 .. l.l • n t Jat case. at page 235. I ,aid: "The st ca\in12 or unauthorised removal of en I • propcr1y from an , 1p oycr s possession will normally justifv r. .... I P·ttti r ,r, d • . • • ( ISl1l!SSd and Mr '_ c crre me to numerous cases to this clkct I I . . of ·m •tp I · 1. • • n t 1e matter ' ' P icatton or the reinstatement or 011 , \\-. . 1 employms.,nt of David Jones (Aust.) Pt\ ; td (II~') . i_n t ~c B1rchC, ·dtl · • • • .) ,._(,IC 7?,) . sat . iat Ill the case ofan cmplo)ce guilty ofd1.sh -.~t·, in respect of . I . . . • - ones \ C . ' '. . .·. mi cmp oyer s property. it \\OlJ\d on\v be i;1 . :,,.cc~tlona\ c11cumstances that summarv dismic;s·J! \\OLJ\d t l 1ustlf1ed I ao . , .· l I . • • ·' no 1c • • "rec \\ it l tic lastmcnt1oncd statement I I , .. each case has to be dctcnoo1·n ,cJ , . O\\c\cr. . ., e t,pon its o\\n fY t. I circumstances and .t . . , . • df icu ar ... , . , •. t is not dppropnate to use the Iacts in one case _to detcrn1mc whether. in a different matter the d .. ·.· d1sm,ss was lnr .1 . - ec1s1on to 1 -1 ·-- _ -- , s1. unjust r,r unrcasrmah/c IWool,wrth\ (\',t) .le· v. Schull:: 1984 AILR 347) --. • • • \\ere not believed. • nc t 1.tt 11 s explanations In this case whilst tl . , 1- . l .. b k • • • le app tcant did deposit the $ I ()()() ()(} • t 11san·acc)t\ -- - . 1110 . • .( ~n • am sat1sf1cd that he had no intention of k., . ll1Jring the interview tl M 1 . Joh . \\J 1 , r )own1e on I i\uoust 1994 " . nson says that the a Ii,. ,. . . , " • . •• ,,r lllt I . . PP cant said he h<1d banked tltc $1.000 00 0 11 s ov,n hank account "as I . . ,cJ ·cl ·.. . . . • son1ewhat incrin1inatino st·ttc • , tc nee c It • On its face this is a docs not rc111cml1er "\':'. 'tl mcnt. In e\ idencc the applicant says he Su Jl]O l0Se \\OfdS b t 'J. Sa) he didn ·t ,. 1 . tl : " 1 • • • u a so says that he cannot ·" v iem. accept t\ • t tl • • 1· · words TI . , • 1.. 1a tc app 1cant dtd use those • ic dpp tcant savs that , t tl , · , , . . • uncomfort·tblc \ ·\ ·1-1 b . • . a 1c time he was !cc\1ng verv ' ' 11 s etng mterrooat •d i·1 1· · • cstablis!1 ·d l . .d . ' 6 e • 1c actual st\uation as • c )\ CV\ cncc IS th · t th, , J" · • • need forth· t, . •. • a c dpp icant did not have an urgent · d monc) It IS true th·t t\ • J" • in debit to the extent of .• a. 1c app tcant s hank account was however , . 1·. $481.99 pnor to the deposit of the $1.000 00 • as rnm 4 Mav l 994 tl I \ · • • fluctuat ·d . d ·\ . \. • 1e 1a ancc 111 the account had c dll \\ 11 St genen\\ · • , d. · · been in d 'h.t t· , 1· .• ' ) tn ere It to a limited extent. had also " 1 0 a 11111\ed extent I , • • • the circu 111 ·t· . • 11 my v icw. hm mg considered all s ances the appl . t· 11 the .. • • tcan s a egcd statement about -- . ,d· . money should not hav, , , . , . . nee mg cnn1inalit\ , I . ·! . . c_ attached to I\ the illgh degree of • '11c 1 p, ima fac1e tl suggests. It is relevant to note that tL I am sat1shcd that th, . I·.. , ceptng Fob that the$\ 000 (J() c __'1P_P '.rnlnb,\had an understanding with Mr • • · \\ as d\ at a c upon rcq . t f . purposes It is true ll1"t tl , .. ucs or prnmot1ona\ u lC money \\as of 1111 t 'd / . j' applicant whilst held in his account - b t _-t , I 11 c 1cne It. to. the b k • u I ma, 1a\ e been s· 1 - - an. account than if being held in ·1 \ , I • . • a et Ill a the $1.000 00 . h .. I· ' ,a let or safe. l!m ing placed . • 111 ls 1dt1k account. I am .. • . - , , applicant intended to use that sum of , . not _sm1s!1cd thc1t the than the promotional activ· . . . . . money _for an) purpose other Coast Cit . C ·I I ittcs arr,mgcd in con_1unct1on with the (iold • ) ounc1. n mv view I\ rn1,J1t b·, cl applicant did \\ ith the $ 1 ()()(J (J(J , _ f2 . e ar_guc that what the . • • \\ds UII\\ ISC tmpro ' . cl techn1callv unlawful b t . , . • • per an even $ I .000 0(). I . , .·• u \,a_s a pracuca\ method or holding the • m t tc cm1ronmcnt m \\h1ch he operated. In detcrn1ining whethe . I d is involved I . r . r a\ a t reason exists. a two stage process " . , ·_ . must irstl:, determme whether there was a v· . reason for d1sm1ssal pursuant to s 79 I (I) f tl \ , • altd is answered in th, , tr . • .. 0 ic I et. If that question e a mnatl\C I must then sc, di. d . pursuant to s 79] (2) .1 'tl l • . • con ) ctcnrnne. ··~ ,\\Jc1ert1·'r'a· - 1·d. the emp\ovee 's conduct , , . c c son _is not\ a t ha\ mg regard to • • capactt\ or perfonrtance and tl . requirements of the emplov, • , • d, , k. 1e operational harsh. unjust or unrcasonal;l~r s un erta mg because the dismissal is In relation to the first positive stao. . h ....... ·, . that the .. l"d .. . , "'c. 111 t IS case t, ts submitted v d I reason relates to the , 1-.. . . performance in his I. . . , . . dpp tcant s conduct or • roe as manager of (_ harlie ·s Ptv Ltd. In 1;1ct the 1580:i l DOC. -- 2 of 3 -- 998 QUEE. SLA 1D GOVE RNMENT INDUS TRI AL GAZETTE l28 July, 1995 ;1pp l 1can 1 w <1 , ,u mnwr il) d1,111 isscd in rc lul i<1n to hi , fai lu re on I . \ugusl 199-t to ,a1i~t:K1<ml~ ans\\cr 4uc:-1ion, in rcla1111n to \\hJl 1, ,.,,id to amount l<l the n11s~ ppmpr1.ition ol m<mc, \ lr '.\h>lunc, sta ted that Im si mp l..: ,uh 111i~,i1111 1s th at tl11: appli c.inl s tok the 1111 111 1.:) w ith IHI 11111:ntion of rcpa~ ing it. \\ h1b1 I hJ\..: li,nn..:tl the "Pin 1un thJt the ,1prlicant 1.hd m1l hJ, c a1 1 i11 1cntion ,, 1 1-.cc ping the monc ). I am ,ilso u l the v1c1,· ihal il wa , 111Jppropr ia lc in the performan ce n l hi, du111:, for the ,1pp lica11 1 tn handk th~ ,cc1md Co<.,I ( ol,1 ch1:4:1c in the 111,inncr h.: .J,<l I ,.:cm, that at a , cr ) c,1rl y 111nc thc Jp ph(...111 1 apprcc,ate<l that ,1 rntstal-.e ha ll h cc11 ma<lc hy Coc a Cnlu in sending 1h c sct:nn<l cheque an ti that wa, ,uhsequcilll) wnlim1eJ \\ 'hiht Charl ie·, l't) l.td "•" Ji,11 1wt enttlk<l to the ,1.:1..on<l ( "•·' Col.1 ,hc·<.1ue. ~•ntc thc d1cqnc \\.lS O\J,h: pt1)ithle to C h arlie·, Pt ~. I ul. an ,ibli !! al 1011 \\Ollltl n.: st upon Charl ie·s l't) I 1J. tn 111al-. c an) refund In thJl ,1tu.it i1> 11 I wn,idcr 11 \\J, not appr,,p1 iat.: 111,,nJg.:rial cundm:I !or the appli.cJnt 10 pl,,w S 1,000 .00 out n l th<.: pr,Kcc<h o l th,'. rcl c1 ,lll l th1.:4uc Ill h1, 0,10 hanl,. accnunt. c, en 011 a kmpurar) b,i-i, . In thi , r1:i:t ,1ru I u111. w ith ,rnm: hc~11a11on. ,Jt hli c<l thJI thc r,· \\,t, .t , .ilitl rc.i,on ln1 tli- mis,JI m tcnn,ofs.:?CJltl) rl1c second m:gati ,e ,wgc Jh 11c111cnt i, mc d 111\o h c, the qu c,11011 ul \\ht:thcr thc J1,nu,,JI h han-h. 1mJu.<t ur urirca-.,mJhle under 1hc part11.:u lar JnJ unique e1rcunN.incc , 111 th1:. c,N: . In 111\ \ tC\\ th1' question ha, l1) he assc,s..:J in the tntal c1w ironmcn 1 111 wh ich Lhc .tpplican1·, conduct o,currcd 1111, en,imnmcnt imohc<l ;i1 le.t, 1 -t f.1ctms. I 1r,1h. 1h.:rc c\J,tC<l J lun._:,tJnJm,? pra c1ic.: cunJoncd h1 JI lc.i ,t the o,111i.:rs threcl l) im ,1 11 c<l 111 litc man.igc111cn1 nt 1hc bu ~i 111.:ss . ol' 11ial..i n g. rcgul.ir ca!<h ,i<l,ancc, lo st aff. .l u, 1 h ow l.irgu ,uch ca,,h ,i.h ,tncc,. "<.:re I <lo 11UI 1..no\\. l>ul l a,h ance, Wlalling S -100 00 at the 0111: 11111e ,cc1m:J In he not <.:,ccptionJI rhcrl ""' J wl:11 c~tah li, hcd prac ti ce nf u, 111 1• " IOl r,· 11r ··chi ts" l ,> c, id c11ce ,u,·h cash ad, ancc,. I he scc,111d lacto1 \\l11ch I ,1111 ,.it i, licd <lid c, i, t \\a,,, pr,1ct1cc of u,;in!! u ··,ccn nd 1ill '. and Jlil) Ill)! I O l<> I ~ ,1aff c; " h '1111 011n ls 111 .itl<l11ton tu r,·,•ular 11 J._!C,. 1, 1th the m,-r1cr, ,h,irmg lhc c.i,I· h.1l,111c1: 111 lh.: , c-cond 1111 I h~ 1.\ldr.:111..-.: "lh,11 the ,1111,mnl n,n,11:_,! uu: ,11 th.: ··,1.:.; nnd 1111" \\c.:kl) ,1,1s SI .000.0(1 to $ 3.000 00 and 1,:1, llll" q111tc ,ub,1a n1 ia l. 'I Ii <.: n idcncc i, 111.11 the ap pl ica11l and \ 11 ( , Du\\ n1c l><•th r.:cc11 cJ c.t:-h ,uprkmcnL,. hcn~c :-h I >,,"nic "J, J\\~tr.: ol the "c ,1'>11·· cu-.111n111cnt "h1d1 c.,i-ieJ at ( h;1rh.:·, 1• 1~. 11d I h<.: c\'idcnce ol' the appl i<:,111 1 i, 1h a1 :, Il er ca, h ,u ppkm,·nh \\Cl'c paid l ll ccrt,1111 cmpltl\t:Cs c.id1 \\ee l-. . the hal.inu· 1,,1, J1\lucJ hc1"ccn "( ,r.,.:mc D1>\\11tl'. Boh \l urpb. Rit.1 \\ ni:gk, .mJ 1111: in our p1 nponio n, ,, 1 own<.:r,ltip or tl w hl 1,mc,, •. I hu, th ..: rc C.\t,lCU a pracllt:l! in \\hich the trrq:_u lar ha ndlin,! 111' , ubsta nllJ I amo un ts or cJ,h \\ll., common. I hJt 1~ J la.:lllr 111 tl:c en, ,rnnm.:nl 111 "htdt llll.! .tpph e,m1 ·, c11nducl h.,, 111 ht:JUJ~cd ·1he tlurJ l,1dnr i, thc mform. ,I "a~ Ill ,d1ich th.: li11,mce, ,,I' the l'rnmc>lionJI I un<l "crc hJndkd 11 1hi, n:gJrd I rckr II U11: fJd thJI tlti: li1 s t Co.:,1 C. ol,1 tl i..: quc ,1c1, 111 c1cl~ cndor<cd 111 l,l\our ,,t the t1nl<l Co,L,t C it, Cnu nc il and h J11J i:d lo /\ kknna n l kll 111 the cu,e 111 !he scc,rnJ C,)C.t ( u lJ ehc4uc. /\ lr I n!c, a,J...cd tor S ~()() 110 1•1 1l1.1ll~ and 1,," pa 1J ,1111 ul the ttll Jnd lht: d1i:quc "•'' l,ncr ,,1,h<.:d a~ Hlore1111:111 1on cd .iml ~300.00 ' '"It 1,a, 1..: p ,11d I(> th,• til l. /\ lr I o lc~ <.hd g et an ol'licial rcc.:ipl frCl rn the (.'oun<.il I ha, c IHl r<.:a,011 111 douht that ,uh,c"lu<.:111 p,t)mcnl'> \\1>ul<l 1\llt ha,e h.:-:n tnJ1.k 111 , 1m1 l,1 r lashmn h) the c1p phc,uH ur1111 rc'-11 11.'sl "' \l r I ok) \'et annth~t !'ac·tor " thJI the applt<:Jlll ri:gttl,trh 11\Jd<.: cJ,h ulll lrtbuu on, lH c111cn,11ncr, Ill It, \l,,11. II th ~ <.:llur,c· ,,r th>nllJI hw, 111c ,~ nrc 1u1 1nm,. l hc ~ !.1u,1r< .iti.)r, 11.:nti1>n..:tl n1J~ bc ,.:,:11 a., 1'.:111,. rrc,?uJ.,r. tu , Jf;, till,! <lt:1!1cc,. l111\\1,;\ er. pcrh.ip, ll n.t, 111 I>.: app1c1..1,11cJ 1hal m l"''" tic,· 1t1 b 11 ,) h o,p1l 11 lil) ,,nd ,1 llli lar bus in c,~c,. manu~cmcnl Ill .I) in !J1..l oper,1 1.: 111 th,, \\a) and <l11c, lta1c impli.:d. ,md uth:n 1.:, plictt. au lhor isat in11 1n that ri:~Jrd. In Ill)' , 1c 11 it i~ 1, ithin ,uc lt cn1 srflnmcnt. 1,.m,wn Ill 111 0 ,t and prob.ihl) all O\\ncrs. th,u the 5uhJcc1 c,1ndu,:1 of the Jpplicant ha, 10 bi: Judged . If ,111 <.:mplo)cc. such as th e app lican l, , ,orkin g m ~uch an en, 111111111<.:nt doc, S()lllcllnng 1, hich is n:a ,u nah ly c,rn, is1.:nl with ge 11.:n1I. thou [!h irrq:uldr. pr,1Lticcs in .t p.irticulJr bus111 ..-,,,. then JJl cmplo~er \\hn I.mm, 1)f ,u ch pral.licc, ,md apprm c~ ur condon.:s them. cannot. 111 1c rni, of f,111n css and jm tice. he 1.11 n criti c,1I <.>f that e mplo}.:.:·:.. i11 ..:1,tu l..tr cun<lucl if then.: i, nu 1ntcntinn 10 rc:rmancntly <lepri,e the 0"1,cr of thc m<'nC) Ill qu.s111111 and the 1.1lnducl ,, not 100 lll~OlhlSIClll \\ llh gencr.il practu;t.:~ tn lht: \\Ork Cl\\ 1mnmen l Ill 4uc:..1ion. In the ma11c r ot If ,. IJ,nicl Jon, .1 (Au\f / 1•~1·. l.td Jforcmcnt ion<.:<l. Corn mb, ioncr lln eh saiu that in a ca se o f cl i, h oncsly in rcsp.:c1 of' JII cmplo)l.!r ·, rrClp erl), " it \\t>ul d only h l! 111 euc puonal ci rcumstance, that ,ummar~ d1S111issal \\t1ul<l not l>e ju,ulit.:d... hen i f onL <1cccpb thJI <lishnnc,t) is imohcJ in 1l11, ca se and that the r rnp crty ts that o f the emplo )'cr ("hid1 i,; ,u bj cct Ill d11uh1) then. in tn) , 1..:" cxccpllonal \.'tr1: ums tanccs <l o c\l,t /\:.. pn:'lnu , I} 111cn ll1111e d in thl' case. I mu,t dd c rm1n<.: 11h .:1h.:r the <lisnw ; ~al was h;1r,h. unjus t or unrcaso n .ihk . Th ose IJ..,Unenlioned \\Ord, h,J\ c rccci\C<l ,-omc JuJ11,;1dl con,1dcra11on In H1111, v. A11Hralwn A1rl111<'., (199 \ J 120 t\ l.K 27 1. Blacl-. (.J said " Althou gh there i, an nb, mu, v, crl.ip lletwccn the "ortl, ·IJJ~h·. ·11 nJus 1· .m<l ·unn:a,unJbk° the) describe dillcrcnt ,onc1.:p1~:·. In 80ml. f 11mrulw1 f•t~ led, (jorg<?,.,!, f \·o /1 ( I IJIJ'.!l 36 I CR '.!0. ~ho.:ppard and I ke rc, JJ said "' I hose a1c un.lina1y n11n- 1c ~h 11 irn l " o r<l ~ that arc in to.: ndc<l to Jppl~ 10 ,in mlimtc , ,1ric1~ of ,,1ua1i01h 1,hcre cmplnymcnt 1, l<.:m1i11,11cd \\\: do not 1hin l-. ,111) rr.:-delin11 1011 or paraphr,1 ~.: ol lhc cx prc ,sio n is d c-ir,,hl<.: ... .. a l'o111 t may <lcc1d e \\hc1hcr th\! dt:1:i:.ion of th.: cmpln~cr 111 J"mis, \\a, vi.:,1ed 11hjcd11d) l1Jr.-h. llllJu,1 or u11rc.1~11i.Jhle Rei.:, Jill to this arc the c1rcttrmtanee, wh11.:h led to th<.: 1kcis11111 tn di ,1111,, ,111<.I .ib n thc e lTcc l ul the d.:ci, inn on tl1 ..: c111 pi<,)·1.:r. t\n) hars h c llccl on lh c 111dindu;1I onplo~<.:c 1~ clcarl) rek,.mt hut nl cour.,e nm tunclu;,I\ c Other mancr-. h,11,: to be u111, idc1 ed ,uch •" 1hc ~ravit~ of the ernplo) c:c: •s i:onduc 1. ··. In ·n~ ,1c,1. in the 111s1ant t,I\C. all rcll.',ant c1rlu111.,1a1,,c,. ind11d ing t it .: I.ins 11111ltncd abmc. hav..: lo be c on st dl!rc<l 1n dctcrm ining w heLh cr the <.kc i,11rn lo di,n1is,. "h cn , tC\\ed l•hin:11\d~ \\J, hJr:.h. un1u,t 0r uur.:J,011.ihlc In the pllrttcu lar circu 111,ta n cu, ol th is ca,c 1 am s:11 i, ticd that thi: appl ica n1·s <li,m i;sa l •~ h.irsh. 11111u,t and unrea, ,,n.tblc. I , 1111 ~.111,!ied :hat a , ,ili<l rcJ,\>n h•r d1,1111,sJI doc, not c'1,t III temh ,1f th e pro,t> i,m, ol s.291 \\hen n:.id a~ a 11hulc and thcr.. for1: the J 1s 1111 ssal ,11' ihc applican t i~ unlm1 ful and in conlra, cnt iun 111' the rl.!l<.:1anl 01' 1,11111 o! the l\ct. Th.: .irplicmtl \\J> abu 11111 paid 1111111:.: pur,uJnl w the ,\1.1. ·1he 4uc,tio n o f app rop riate 1chcf ,1n,c, for tletcrm i11a l i11 11 lk.irmg m mtnd the 111.mJgenal po,11io11 held n, th<.: Jpplicant . 1h.: , cn t•u~ allc1,tat10ns made agam,t thc applt1..m1 and the ,1 pparcn1 brca l-.tlown 111 re lat ions b..:twcc:11 the appli can t and Mr l}l1wn11.:. m parlltUI J r. I con;,idcr r<.: in:,tatcmt!lll i, nnl apprnpnal\! In tact the .tpphcant d,,c, not Ill"' pre~, h•r rc1n~1,ucmenl. hut we!..., an mdcr to r 1.1)m pcn s,111 nn. I he mat~rtJI b<.:h1r.: mi: intl1c.i:cs th,11 the appltc ant"s total "..:cl..l) cJnHngi, "ere W75 OIi mJdc up a ~rm:. \\Jf!C or $11 0tl 00. 1.:,1,h , upp lc 111 1:111 ,11 ~20(1.00 and 1..ir paym ent o r ~ 175. 00. I h..:sc licurc~ have nm b1:cn co111 c,ac<l hcforc me. 28 Jul y, 1995] Q UEENSL AND GOVERNM ENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE . The: app licant is still u nemp loyed. but he ha~ had casual earn ings o l $5. 755 00 sincc Jismis;,al Ms Pri or. on bel1Jlf o f the .ipplicant. ,e<.:ks compen,-,t1 1on of S-l 1.0-15 tor the period I i\u~ust 199 .J 10 30 June_ 199 5 and 11 1 addition a l urthcr one and a hal f ) car, ~alar) . 11rnk111g u tota l in the , 1c inil) ,,f $ 11 7.000. In J number of (..J,cs tn thi) Lo1111111"ion u~e h.i~ been m,tde of the pnn c 1p l~s -:nunc1ated in ('/11,11.,n· ,, Alendg \'111·sin~ 1/ome ( 55 ',/\IR 54) in as ~c,srng rnmpensa tklll. Bcarin l!, m nund th ose rnnc 1plc,. in lhi, 1..i,c II i~ rele, Jnt 10 1.111e 1ha1 th.: Jpplic,ml "as a long 1cm1 cmplo~ cc. he is 110\1 34 ~ CJr~ o t .tl!C. he 15 marri ed "ith 2 111 font ch ildn.:n. he ha, an ..:,tuhlts h.:d ho111c ~in the area . I Ii, work c ,pcricnw ib app,1re111ly hmi11:J to an opera ti on ,ueh as (h Jrlie ·~ 1'1,. I td It \\OulJ ,cem lh;11 he " a competent m.illJl!Cr of a l,115incss ,uc h a, ( harlic ·s 1'1). l, td .. lum cve r. hcrnu,..- of' tht.: ci rcum,1a11ccs u11d_c r ,1l 1ilh hi~ _em ploymen t \\as tcrmin nlcd. he ,1ill o b\'kiu,I} lrn1·c Jtll1cuh~ oh1am111g other cmplo~ mcnt or a comp.irahl.: nature m the ( 111ld CoJ,t arc.1. l'crhaps tlm dccis1on m a~ Jllc, iat<.: thi, <lit licu hv to so me 1:,11.:nt. lkc.iusc o l h1 , 10% uw ncrship 1n Charli c's 1'1:. I t<l: . the ,tppliranl cumwt bcndit from ~ocial Sc curit) lknclil~. ,h;ts unhkc nuht cmpln}cc·,. his wmpcn,alion cannot he d iscounted for that factor f am ,,111sficd th,ll the applicant ha, Hidde re,minah lc ..: n <l cavours. u nder the pa rt irnl ,u 1.:in;u 111 ~l,1nces, to obtain al1cma1ivc cmp lo} 1111:nt and hJ, 1111tiga11.:<l his loss h) acccpt ing ta~ual \\or~ Inn>) , ,..:" t hi.: ,1pplira111 ·, prc dica111 1:n t is somc,1ha t \,or~c than 1111>-t ~1pplican t~ in ca,cs o f th i, nature and thu jusli licat iun for a ,uh~lant1JI ,1 11 ard 11 1 1:ompc1i-,lllon 1, more oh, ;nth than 111 most ~-"c~. In my , ie\\, und er all of the circumstJ ncc, or 1hi, case . 1u, 11c.: can only be a ch icvc <.1 b) mal..ing u quite ~uh sw nti,d J1, ar<l. < umpcn,aunn al lh<.: 1im:.: of di,mi-.,.,1 ""' ··u ncapped .. in <)uccn,-1.in<l. 1h at th <.: date 111' h.:aring 1h 1: applicant has aln:udv hc.:n out of p<.:nnancnl \\Ori.. li.1r dose 10 11 month~ One c..111 on l~ spcculJte as tu lum lflng il 111.i~ 1,1 1-.c the .ippl ieJn l 11> l1b1.i111 c4ui , ,tklll or ,1n:e ptah lc cm p lu ) 1ncnt. bu t in m~ , ic" it ,1ou ld IHll h..: unrcasnnahlc under lhc pnnetph:,; ot C hl.'11er_1 .1 ea:..c 10 a--ess compcn,-.1111 111 on J period ol -t ll 1,.:1:I.., under currclll ~ircum,tam:1."!,. ( lnc al,o hJ, to ta l- c imn .11:co unt , aru,u, co 111 111gc nci c~ when :i,,cs,111~ uin1rcns, ll 1011 t\l 1h1: rdc n1n1 tun e. 1he J\ c t rcquin:d 1h a1 .11,~ unkr I m.il-.c ,lmul<l put the Jpplt<Jlll in the ,.1111c P'"i1111n as nc,trl: J, <,Ill he <lone. ,i;, 1f ;h., .,pplicant had 1101 bi:1:11 di~mis,c<l. l 'mkr ,111 vf the c1 rcum,ui11ce,. ,m<l alter d1srnun11ng the cJsual .:J111111g!> nl 5. "55 00. I ;i,-~e~, <1•mpcn,,11ion at ~~ 1.1100.00 ',uch ,um is. n l course. c,clthi , c 11 1' an) sum "h ich 111,1) be o \\ 1n1,t for ,111nua l lea, c or long ,en ice lea, c. I nrJ.:r t h;1: (.11.1rl1c·, 1'I}. I tJ do pa, to the .ipphcan t. Mr l'clcr llru,c IJrnl..c. the· ,11 111 nf 5~ 1.CJOU. 00. ,11ch ~um 111 he pa1<l 1>11 or hd,, rc 30 '- cpt cm bcr I ') l/ 5. Inc ( 01111111,smn ,1nkrs .ic,ordmgl~ • l pp,•a r ( II IC'I' 1 • ,\ 1' 1-.: . f-'n ur. instru cted h} ,\ lr /\ I King ul Md .aughl1ns ~o li e1wr, . li,r the. \p pltcant. '.\lr I i\lot.111c). of I 1, tng!-t,m~, i\u,-1ral1a, " 1t h him Mc , srs. P. (j Dtl\\nic JIHI .I . Jol111 ,o n. tor the ll c, p on dcn t Opcr,,ti, < D,ttc· :,- . \ nce1Si<'n ( lllll pcn,attlln 999 1.5 805_ 1 DOC -- 3 of 3 --