1

[Extract from Queensland Government Industrial Gazette,

dated 23 March, 2007, Vol. 184, No. 12, pages 183-190]

QUEENSLANDINDUSTRIALRELATIONSCOMMISSION

IndustrialRelationsAct1999-s.74-applicationforreinstatement

AdrianBrownANDNationalSecurityProvidersAustraliaPtyLtdtradingasQueenslandSecurityProviders(TD/2005/436)

COMMISSIONERASBURY / 15March2007

DECISION

1.Overview

ThisisanapplicationforreinstatementbyMrAdrianJamesNeilBrown,unders.72oftheIndustrialRelationsAct1999(theAct). TherespondentinthismatterisNationalSecurityProvidersAustraliaPtyLtdtradingasQueenslandSecurityProviders(QSP).

EvidencewasgivenbyMrBrownonhisownbehalf. EvidencewasgivenforQSPbyitsManager,MrJamesDouglasTee,whoalsoconductedthecaseforQSP. MrBrownwasrepresentedbyMrJamesO'Donnell.

QSPisinvolvedinthebusinessofprovidingsecurityservices,particularlyatlicensedvenues,eventsandfunctions. TheevidenceabouttheactualperiodofMrBrown'semploymentwassketchyandhadtobegleanedfromdocuments. MrBrownsaidinhisstatement(ExhibitA1)thathecommencedemploymentwithQSPsometimein2000andworkedasasecurityguard"onandoff"untilMay2004. PayrecordsappendedtoMrTee'switnessstatement(AnnexureCtoExhibitR1)indicatethatMrBrownwasfirstpaidbyQSPfortheweekending2July2000.

ThepayrecordsalsoindicatethattherewereseveralperiodsduringwhichMrBrownwasnotpaidbyQSP. Therewasaperiodbetweentheweekending12August2001andtheweekending26March2002duringwhichtherecordsdonotindicateanypaymentbeingmadetoMrBrown. Thereisanothersuchperiodbetween19November2002and24June2003andafurtherperiodbetween16September2003and20June2004.

MrBrownandQSPenteredintoanAustralianWorkplaceAgreement(AWA)inOctober2002. MrBrownsaidthathehadlittlechoiceaboutwhetherornothewantedtosigntheAWA. AcopyofanAWAexecuted byMrBrownon13October2002,andMrTeeon18October2002,wasinevidenceasAnnexureAtoExhibitR1(statementofMrTee). AnapprovalnoticeissuedbytheOfficeoftheEmploymentAdvocateon15November2002wasalsoinevidence. Clause2oftheAWAstatesthatitcommencedon18October2002andhadanominalexpirydateofthreeyearsfromthatdate.

2.EvidenceofMrBrown

MrBrownsaidinhisevidenceinchiefthatinJuly2004,hewasapproachedbythethenTownsvilleManager,MrSinclair,aboutreplacingMrSinclairasTownsvilleManager. ThecircumstancesinwhichMrSinclairleftareirrelevant,notwithstandingthataconsiderableamountoftimewasdevotedinthehearingtoexploringthem. MrBrownacceptedthisrole. Thereafter,MrBrownspoketoMrTeewhotoldhimthathewouldbepaidasalaryfortheworkhedidandthattheamountofthesalarywouldnotchangeregardlessofthehoursworked. MrTeetoldMrBrownthatacontractwouldbedrawnupforhimtosigninthenearfuture. Therewasnowrittencontractofemploymentinevidence.

InthisroleMrBrown'sdutiesinvolvedmakingdecisionsonbehalfofQSP;rostering;preparingquotations;arrangingandattendingmeetingsbetweenpolice,liquorlicensingandvenueowners;anddealingwithcomplaintsaboutguards. MrBrownhadalsobeenresponsibleforhiringnewstaffandfordecidingwhetherstaffwhohaddonethewrongthingwouldbegivenhours. MrBrownwasrequiredtobeavailableonthetelephone24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek. Inparticular,MrBrownspentaconsiderableamountoftimecallingstafftocoverspotsinrosterswhereotherstaffhadbeenunabletoworkorhadnotpresentedforwork. MrBrownmaintainedthathehadnotbeengiventhetitle"AssistanttoOperations"byMrTee,untilapproximatelytwomonthsaftercommencingintherole. Regardlessoftitle,MrBrownmaintainedthathisrolewasthatofamanager. MrBrownalsodisputedthatMrTeehadtoldhimthatthehourshewasrequiredtoworkwouldbe40perweek,andcontendedthatheworkedwellinexcessof40hoursperweek.

InFebruary2005,MrTeetoldMrBrownthattocutcosts,hewouldhavetoworknightshiftsasaguard. MrBrowndidthisbutwasnothappyandstoppedworkingthesenightshifts. MrTeethenofferedMrBrownabonus,onthebasisthatifMrBrownworkedadditionalhoursasaguard,hewouldbepaidforsome,butnotall,ofthosehours. AnarrangementwasalsoenteredintounderwhichMrBrown'swifeworkedforQSPandherwageswerepaidintoMrBrown'sbankaccount. MrBrownsaidthatthiswasinstigatedbyMrTeewhosaidthatitwouldsavetimeandpaperwork. UnderthisarrangementeitherMrBrownorhiswifewereavailabletoconductQSPbusinessbytelephoneatalltimes. InJuly2005,MrBrownwentonaholidayforaoneweekperiod,andwaspaidbyQSPforthattime. ThepayrecordstenderedbyMrTeeindicatethatineachweekinJuly2005MrBrownwaspaidbetween$659.00and$820.00nett.

Atsomestage,MrBrowncommencedworkingapproximatelytwentyhoursperweekasatowtruckdriverforanothercompany. Hedidthistoearnsomeextramoneywhichheneededatthetime. MrBrownalsotookupthesportofmotocross,butdisputedthathissportingactivitieshadtakenhimawayfromTownsvilleforweekends. Atmost,MrBrownhadbeenabsentfromTownsvilleforoneweekendwhileworkingforQSP. ThemajorityofMrBrown'smotocrossactivitieshadtakenplaceonSundays. Duringthattime,MrsBrownhadthetelephoneandhadbeenavailabletodealwithanyissueswhichmightarise. TherehadbeennoissueraisedwithMrBrownabouthisinvolvementinmotocrossorthathehadnotbeendevotingsufficienttimetohisworkforQSP.

QSPlostworkinTownsvilleandMrBrownwastoldbyMrTeethattheTownsvilleBranchwouldbeclosingandhewouldbeoutofajob. WhenMrBrownaskedwhethertherewasanywaytoavoidclosingthebranch,MrTeesaidthatifMrBrownwasengagedasasubcontractorandacceptedareducedwageof$300.00to$400.00perweek,theBranchwouldcontinue. MrBrownwouldalsoberequiredtoprovidehisownequipmentandtelephone. WhenworkpickedupinTownsville,MrBrown'swagewouldbeincreased. MrBrownsaidthathewouldaccepttheofferifhewaspaidallofhisentitlementsforworkingfull-timeonasalaryfortheprevioustwelvemonths,includingannualleaveandnoticepayments.

MrTeeadvisedMrBrownthathewasacasualemployeeunderthetermsoftheAWA,anddidnothaveanyentitlements. MrBrownmaintainedthathehadceasedtobeacasualemployeewhenhebecameTownsvilleManager,andthatinanyevent,theAWAhadceasedtooperateduringtheperiodwhenhewasnotemployedbyQSP. AfternegotiationsbetweenMrBrownandMrTeefailedtoresolvethismatter,MrBrownceasedtoworkforQSP. MrBrowndidnotagreeatanystagethathewouldworkunderasubcontractarrangement. MrTeesubsequentlywrotetoTownsvilleclientsofQSPadvisingthatthecompanywouldbeclosingitsoperationsinTownsville. MrBrownalsospoketoallTownsvilleclientsabouttheclosure. MrBrownreceivedtwoweeks'payonterminationofhisemployment,butsaidthatthisrepresentedpaymentfortimeworkedbyhimintheperiodhewashavingdiscussionswithMrTeeaboutthepossiblesubcontractarrangement. MrBrownwasnotofferedalternativeemploymentatanyotherlocationwhereQSPconducteditsoperations.

AfterceasingemploymentwithQSP,MrBrownstartedhisownsecuritybusiness. HedidnottakeoverthevenuesthatQSPpreviouslyhadinTownsville. Forthefirstninemonthsofoperatingthatbusiness,MrBrownhadnoincome,andonlycommencedreceivingawagefromthebusinessaftertwelvemonths. MrBrowndidreceivebenefitsfromCentrelinkfor"acoupleofmonths"totalling$300.00perfortnight. Thismoneywasusedtopaysomeoneelsetowork.

Undercross-examination,MrBrowndisagreedwiththepropositionthattherehadbeennocompulsionforhimtosigntheAWA. MrBrownsaidthattheAWAwasbroughttohimafterhestartedworkingforQSPandhewastoldtosignitandthatifhedidnothewouldnothaveajob. MrBrownsaidthathedidnotreceiveanypaperworkfromtheOfficeoftheEmploymentAdvocatetoindicatethattheAWAhadbeenapproved. MrBrownalsomaintainedthathewasnotanemployeeofQSPduringtheperiodafterheresignedhisemployment,butagreedthatitwascommonforcasualemployeesto"remainonthebooks"ofQSPduringperiodswhentheydidnotperformworkfortheCompany.

MrBrownagreedthatMrTeehadtoldhimthathecouldperformallrequiredworkin40hourseachweek,butsaidthatthiswasnotinfactthecase,andthat90%ofthetimeheworkedadditionalhourstocompletethetasksrequired. MrBrownalsoagreedthathereportedtoMrMcLennanwithrespecttooperationaldutiesandproblemsthatMrBrowncouldnothandle. MrMcLennanhadgivenMrBrownclearoperationalprocedurestofollow. MrMcLennanhadprovidedMrBrownwithsuggestionstoaddresstheconstanttelephonecallshewasreceiving,butonlyafterMrBrownhadcomplainedaboutreceivingtelephonecalls24hoursperday,sevendaysperweek. MrBrownmaintainedthatwhileclientscouldcontacttheCairnsBranch,90%ofthemhadcontactedhimdirectlywhentheyhadissuestodiscuss. MrBrowndeniedthatMrMcLennanhadmade16tripstoTownsvilletohavediscussionswithhimaboutoperationalprocedures,andsaidthatonlyfoursuchdiscussionshadtakenplace. MrBrownagreedthathehadtelephonediscussionswithMrTeeandMrMcLennanonaweeklybasisaboutvariousoperationalprocedures.

MrBrownalsosaidthathehadnochoiceaboutworkingsixhoursperweekonstreetpatrolshiftstooffsetthelosstocontractsinTownsvilleandhadonlyagreedtodothisbecausehefeltobligatedtohelpthecompanyout. Inrelationtohistruckdrivingwork,MrBrownsaidthathehadneverbeenabsentovernightandhadalwaysbeeninTownsvilletoperformhisworkforQSPwhenrequired. MrBrownmaintainedthathehadnotagreedtothesubcontractarrangement,andhadtoldMrTeethathewoulddiscussitwithhiswife.

3.EvidenceofMrTee

MrTee'sevidenceinchiefwasthathehadbecomeawareinSeptember2004thattheprevioussupervisorofTownsvilleoperations,MrSinclair,wasnotreturningfromatriptoBrisbane,andthatMrBrownhadeffectivelybeen"holdingthefort"andwouldlikeanopportunitytotakeoverthatrole. MrTeeagreedtothisandwenttoTownsvilleonemonthlatertoformallymeetMrBrown. MrTeefoundMrBrowntobeapositivepersonandhadconfidencethathewouldcarryoutthedutiesrequiredofhim. MrTeetoldMrBrownthatthecompletionofalldutieswouldrequirearoundfortyhoursperweek,sometimesmoreandsometimesless. ThesehourscouldbeusedasMrBrownsawfit,andhecouldusetheopportunitytohisadvantagewhilstachievingtheneedsofthebusiness. Inmid-2004,MrBrowntookaweekendoffforhisanniversaryandMrTeesentagiftof$500.00toassistinfosteringagoodrelationship.

MrBrown'spositionwasdescribedbyMrTeeassupervisorywiththetitle"AssistanttoOperations". ThistitlehadbeenincludedonMrBrown'spaypacketandspecificoperatingprocedureshadbeenimplementedtoensurethattherolewasunderstood. TheseprocedureswhichwereAppendixBtoMrTee'switnessstatement(ExhibitR1)includedthefollowinginrelationtoduties: invitingprospectiveemployeestointerview;interviewingnewemployeesandclients;ongoingvenuemaintenance;ongoingemployeemaintenanceanddutiestobeperformedattheendofeachweekrelatingtomatterssuchasrosters,timesheetsandemployeedeductions. AllmanagementdecisionsweremadebytheOperationsManager,MrMcLennan,orMrTee,andthisalsooccurredinrelationtoadministration,withcomplaintsfromclientsbeingreferredtoMrTee.

Supervisorsweretobecontactablebytelephoneduringclients'operationalperiods,andweretocontroltimesforcontactingguardsoutsidehourstoensurethatguardshadsufficientsleep. Outsidethesetimes,callerscouldalsocontacttheCairnsBranchiftheywereunabletocontacttheTownsvilleBranch. WhenQSPlostamajorcontractinTownsvilleinDecember2004,MrBrownagreedtodosomecrowdcontrollershiftsonthebasisthatthoseshiftswouldbeunpaid,tohelpoffsetlosses. Somesixhoursperweekweretobeworkedonthisbasis,andthisworkwasdoneonstreetpatroltoenableMrBrowntodohisusualdutiesatthesametime,includingsupervisingothercrowdcontrollersandliaisingwithpoliceandclients. MrBrownhadnotindicatedthathewasunhappywiththissituation. TherewasalsoanarrangementwherebyifMrBrownwasabletoworktheadditionalhoursrequiredtosupplementlosses,anyfurtherhoursheworkedwouldbepaidinadditiontohiswage.

Inearly2005,MrBrowncommencedasecondjobasatowtruckoperatorworkingasubstantialnumberofhoursperweek. MrBrown'swifeEmilythenstartedworkingintheadministrativesideoftheTownsvilleoperations. MrBrowntoldMrTeethatthisenabledhimtoundertakeotherincomemakingactivity. WhileMrTeewasnothappywiththisarrangementhe"persevered"withit. MrBrownalsotookupmotorbikeracingonweekendswhichmeantthatbothMrandMrsBrownwereawayfromTownsville. MrTeetoldMrBrownthathewasnotfocussingonQSPbusinessasrequired,becauseoftheseotheractivities. InMarch2005,QSPlostanothermajorcontractinTownsville. MrTeespoketoMrBrownabouthowtheviabilityoftheTownsvilleoperationwasbecomingextremelystrained.

MrsBrownobtainedacrowdcontrollicenseandwasabletoworkontheQSProstertoearnextramoney. MrBrownhadceaseddoingthestreetpatrolsandMrTeerequestedthatheresumethepreviousarrangementofworkingsixhoursperweekinthiscapacity. ItwasalsoputtoMrBrownthattheseadditionalhourscouldbedonebyMrsBrown. MrBrownwasalsoprovidedwithincomefromundertakingtrainingforpersonswishingtoobtainasecuritylicense,andwaspaidanamountforeachpersontrained. ItappearedthatMrBrownwastakingonmoretruckdrivingthroughoutQueenslandandatsomestagesMrBrownwasinCairnsthreetofourtimesaweek. MrBrownwouldstopinattheQSPofficewhenhewasinCairns,butbothMrandMrsBrownwerenotalwayscontactable.

MrTeepointedoutthatitappearedthatMrBrownwasunabletosufficientlylookaftertheTownsvilleoperationsduetolackoftime. Inmid2005MrTeegaveMrandMrsBrowna$600.00giftvoucherwhentheirbabywasborn,inordertomaintainagoodrelationship. InJuly2005MrandMrsBrownarrangedtotakeaweekoffinVictoria,organisingapersontophysicallysupervisetheTownsvilleoperationsandrunningthoseoperationsremotelywhiletheywereaway. MrTeediscussedanumberofissueswithMrandMrsBrownbytelephoneduringthisperiod,whichMrTeesaidwasnotaholiday.

AccordingtoMrTee,forthelastthreemonthsofhisemployment,MrBrownwasnotabletosufficientlymanageandsupervisetheTownsvilleoperations. Therewereongoingcomplaintsfromclients. On13November2005,QSPlostanotherTownsvillecontract. MrTeehadlengthydiscussionswithMrBrownaboutthepossibilityoflosingthiscontractandthenecessityofmaintainingit,priortothatdate. MrTeehadalsosuccessfullyheadedoffthelossofthecontractontwoearlieroccasionsduringNovember2005. MrTeetoldMrBrownthatitwasnolongerviabletokeeptheTownsvilleoperationsgoing. Therewereanumberofdiscussions,instigatedbyMrBrownaboutwhethertherewasanybasisuponwhichMrTeecouldmaintaintheTownsvilleoperation. MrTeetoldMrBrownthattheonlywayhecouldcontinuetheTownsvilleoperationswasonasubcontractbasis,withMrBrowncoveringalloftheadministrationcosts. Onthisbasis,MrTeecouldafford$300.00perweek,withthatamountvaryingonaweeklybasis,inrelationtothebusinesscarriedout. MrBrownsaidthatitwasworthkeepingtheTownsvilleoperationsgoinginthehopethatittherewouldbeanimprovement. ItwasagreedthatMrBrownwouldworktheweekending20November2005andthatthenewsubcontractarrangementwouldcommenceon21November2005.

Onorabout27November2005,MrBrowntelephonedMrTeeandqueriedhiminrelationtopaidentitlements. MrTeetoldMrBrownthatasacasualemployeeundertheAWAtherewerenoentitlements. Atsometimebetween28and30November2005,MrTeetelephonedMrBrownandofferedtopayhimanadditionaltwoanda-halfweeks'paybeforehecommencedthesubcontractarrangement. MrTeealsorequestedthatMrBrowninvoicehimfortheweekcommencing21November2005. On30November2005MrTeepaidMrBrownoneweeks'payaspart-paymentofthetwoanda-halfweekshehadpreviouslyoffered. AsMrTeehadnotreceivedaninvoicefromMrBrowninrespectoftheweekending27November2005,andbeinguncertaininrelationtoMrBrown'sintentions,hedecidedtoclosetheTownsvilleoperations. MrBrownwasadvisedaccordingly. MrTeealsoadvisedTownsvilleclientswhoadvisedthattheyhadreceivednocontactfromMrBrowninthelastweek. On7December2005,MrTeepaidMrBrownafurtherweekspay. OnreceivingMrBrown'sapplicationforreinstatement,MrTeemadenofurtherpaymentstoMrBrown. MrTeesubsequentlyvisitedMrandMrsBrownandwasshowntheirnewsecurityoperations,includingcars,safes,computerandguarddog. MrTeecollecteditemsbelongingtoQSP.

Undercross-examinationMrTeemaintainedthatintheperiodfrom16September2003to20June2004,MrBrownwasanemployeeofQSP,onthebasisthathewasacasualwhowas"onthebooks". ThiswasdespitethefactthatMrBrownperformednoworkforQSPinthattime. MrTeesaidthatsomeemployeeswentawayforuptothreeyearsandstayed"onthebooks". Iftheseemployeesweredefinitelynotcomingbacktheywouldbewrittenoffthebooksandterminated,andalettertothateffectwasforwardedtothem. Inthisregard,QSPwasa"glorifiedlabourhirecompany". MrTeehadnotreceivedanyinformationaboutMrBrownresigning.

MrTeewasshownclause17oftheAWAenteredintowithMrBrown,whichprovidesthatanemployeewhodoesnotcontactQSPforthreedaysisdeemedtohaveabandonedemployment. MrTeesaidthatthisprovisiondidnotapplyincircumstancessuchasthoseofMrBrown. MrTeewasnotawareofanycontactbetweenMrBrownandQSPduringperiodswhenMrBrownwasnotperformingworkfortheCompany. MrTeealsosaidthathedidnotknowwhetherornotMrBrownhadresigned. TherehadbeennodiscussionswithMrBrownaboutthepossibilityofworkinginanotherlocationforQSP.

MrTeemaintainedthatMrBrownhadagreedtogivethesubcontractorarrangementago,onthebasisofbeingpaid$300.00perweek,becauseMrBrownhopedthatbusinessinTownsvillewouldimprove. MrTeebelievedthatMrBrownhadagreedthatthesubcontractingarrangementwouldcommenceon20November2005,andhadwaitedtoreceiveaninvoicefromMrBrown. Whentheinvoicehadnotarrived,andMrBrownrequestedhisentitlements,MrTeemadethedecisiontoshutdowntheTownsvilleoperation. MrTeeagreedthathehadnotsaidatanytimethatMrBrown'sworkperformancewaslacking. InrelationtothereferencetocomplaintsaboutMrBrownreferredtoinhiswitnessstatement,MrTeesaidthathehadnotincludedthatreferenceto"haveago"atMrBrown. MrTeealsoagreedthathehadnotputthepropositiontoMrBrownthatMrBrownwasnotcommunicatingsufficientlywithclientsorprovidingthemwithservice. NocustomercomplaintshadbeenputtoMrBrownbyMrTee. MrTeehadexpressedconcernaboutMrBrown'sworkperformancetoMrMcLennan.

Therewasnoevidence,otherthanthewagesrecordtenderedbyMrTee,ofMrBrown'searningsfromhisemploymentwithQSP. InresponsetoaquestionfromtheCommission,thepartiesagreedthatMrBrown'ssalarywas$850.00perweekgross. ThedifferencebetweenthatamountandtheamountsshownonthewagesrecordtenderedbyMrTeewassaidtobebecausesomeofthesalarywaspaidtoMrsBrown. InresponsetoafurtherquestionfromtheCommission,thepartiesagreedthatQSPemploysthirtycasualemployees,whichMrTeesaidwasequivalentto20full-timeemployees.

Submissions

MrO'DonnellrepresentingMrBrownsubmittedthatMrBrownwasasalariedemployeeandwasnotemployedonacasualbasis. Accordingly,theAWAdidnotapplytoMrBrown. Further,itwassubmittedthattheAWAhadceasedtooperateinSeptember2003,whenMrBrownresignedhisemployment. MrBrownhadsufferedfinanciallossasaresultoftheterminationofhisemployment. MrBrown'sdismissalwasharsh,unjustandunreasonable. ThiswassaidtobebecauseMrBrownwasnotofferedalternativeemploymentatanotherlocation. Further,itwascontendedthatthefailuretopayMrBrownentitlementssuchasannualleaveandnoticeontermination,madethedismissalunfair. MrBrownsoughtanamountofeighttotwelveweeks'wagesascompensationforhisunfairdismissal. ItwasalsosubmittedthattheCommissionshouldmakeafindingthattheAWAwasnotvalidbecauseoftheresignation,oralternativelybecauseitdisadvantagedMrBrown. This,itwascontended,wouldenableMrBrowntomakeanapplicationforunpaidwagesinrespectofhisannualleaveandotherentitlements.

Attheoutsetofthesubmissionsfortherespondent,itwasapparentthatMrTeewasunderamisapprehensionthatthecaseconductedonbehalfofMrBrownwasaclaimforannualleaveandotherentitlementssaidtobeowedtoMrBrownonthebasisthathewasnotacasualemployee. TheCommissiongrantedanadjournmenttoMrTeeandofferedhimtheopportunitytomakehissubmissionsinwriting. Theapplicant'srepresentativewasalsoofferedtheopportunitytorespondtothosesubmissionsinwriting.

Inhiswrittensubmissions,MrTeesaidthatanAWAremainedineffectuntilitwasterminatedinwriting. ItwascontendedthatMrBrownhadnotresigned,andthatthefactthathehadnotbeenrequiredtocompletenewapplicationformsonresumingworkforQSPwouldhavealertedMrBrowntothefactthatQSPmaybeoperatingunderpreviouslyprovideddata. MrTeemaintainedthathehadbeenunawarethattheapplicationbeforetheCommissionhadbeenaboutunfairdismissal,andhadbelievedthattheissuebeforetheCommissionwastheeffectoftheAWA. Itwascontendedthatifthishadbeenunderstood,thatMrTeewouldhaveansweredsomequestionsintheproceedingsdifferently. MrTeeattemptedtoputfurtherevidencebeforetheCommissioninhissubmission.

Issuesfordetermination

TheissuesfordeterminationinthiscasearewhetherMrBrownwasunfairlydismissed,andifso,theremedyforthatunfairdismissal. Beforetheseissuescanbedetermined,itisnecessarytofindwhetherMrBrown'semploymentatthetimeofhistermination,wascoveredbyanAWA. EvenifMrBrown'semploymentwasnotcoveredbyanAWAitmustbedeterminedwhetherhewasacasualemployee. Whilefailuretopayanentitlementonterminationofemploymentmayconstituteunfairtreatmentofanemployeebyanemployer,thatissueisnotdeterminativeinthiscase. Further,theapplicationinthiscasewasnotmadeunders.278oftheAct,andanydecisionmadebytheCommissionintheseproceedingswillnotbebindinginotherproceedingswhichmaybebroughtinrelationtoclaimsforannualleaveandotherentitlements.

Conclusions

TherewasnosubstantiveargumentaboutissuesassociatedwiththeAWAbyeitherpartytotheseproceedings. TherewaslittleifanyreferencemadetothetermsoftheWorkplaceRelationsAct1996(Cth)astheywereatthetimetheAWAcameintoeffect. Theevidenceaboutthismatterwasalsosketchy. Ontheevidencebeforeme,anAWAwasmadebetweenMrBrownandQSPon18October2002,whentheAWAwassignedonbehalfofQSPbyMrTee. AtthetimetheAWAwasmade,MrBrownwasanexistingemployeeofQSP. TheAWAwasapprovedbytheOfficeoftheEmploymentAdvocateon15November2002andcameintoeffecton18October2002asprovidedinclause2oftheAWAandpursuanttos.170VJ(2)(b)oftheWorkplaceRelationsAct1996(Cth). ThenominalexpirydatefortheAWAwas18October2005.

MrBrown'sevidencewasthatheresignedhisemploymentwithQSPonoraround19November2002andcommencedemploymentagainwithQSPon24June2003. MrTeesaidthathewasunawarethatMrBrownhadresignedatthispoint,butconcededthatitwaspossible. MrTeewasunabletopointtoanycontactbetweenMrBrownandQSPduringtheperiodfrom19November2002until24June2003. Onbalance,IacceptMrBrown'sevidencethatheresignedhisemploymentonoraround19November2002. TherewasafurtherbreakinMrBrown'semploymentwithQSPfrom16September2003and20June2004.

IacceptthatemployeesofQSPmayworkonanintermittentbasis,acceptingworkwhenitisofferedandtheyareavailable. IalsoacceptthatanAWAmaybedraftedtocoveremployeeswhoworkintermittentlyinforexample,thelabourhireindustry,sothatitremainsineffectduringperiodswhereworkisnotbeingperformed. However,thereisnothingintheAWAbetweenMrBrownandQSPtoindicatethatitoperatedinthisway. Further,theperiodbetween19November2002and24June2003isoversixmonthsinduration,suggestingthatitismorethanabreakinaseriesofcasualengagements.

Inmyview,MrBrown'sresignationonoraround19November2002broughthisemploymentwithQSPtoanend,andhadtheeffectofterminatingtheAWA. TheexistenceandcontinuingoperationofanAWAispredicatedonanemploymentrelationship. AnAWAcanonlybemadebetweenanemployerandanemployee,aboutmatterspertainingtotherelationshipbetweentheemployerandtheemployee,withtheproviso,notrelevantinthiscase,thatanAWAcanbemadebeforethecommencementofemployment(refers.170VF(2)).

However,thereisnolegislativeprovisiontosuggestthatanAWAmadebeforethecommencementofemployment,wouldcontinuetooperateifnoemploymentrelationshipwassubsequentlyenteredinto. ThereisnoprovisionsuggestingthatanAWAremainsineffectaftertheemploymentrelationshipunderpinningithascometoanend. WhilethereareprovisionsdealingwithsuccessoremployersmakinganAWAbindingincertaincircumstances,thereisnoprovisionkeepinganAWAineffectwhenanemployeeresignsemploymentandthenresumeswiththesameemployer.

TheprovisionsdealingwithterminationofanAWAbyagreementprovidethattheAWAmaybeterminatedbywrittenagreementbetweentheemployerandtheemployee(refers.170VM(1));orafteritsnominalexpirydatebytheAustralianIndustrialRelationsCommission(s.170VM(2);orafteritsnominalexpirydateinaccordancewiththetermsoftheAWA(s.170VM(6)).

IdonotaccepttheargumentofMrTeeforQSP,thattheseprovisionsstipulatetheonlywayinwhichanAWAcanceasetohaveeffect. Inmyview,theterminationprovisionsins.170MVoftheWorkplaceRelationsAct1996(Cth)applytotheterminationofanAWAwhileanemploymentrelationshipcontinues. AnAWAalsoceasestohaveeffectwhenanemploymentrelationshipwithrespecttowhichitismade,ceases. Thisiswhatoccurredonoraround19November2002whenMrBrownresignedhisemploymentwithQSP. TherewasnoevidenceofanewAWAbeingenteredintoinrespectofthesubsequentperiodofemploymentMrBrownhadwithQSPfrom24June2003untilthecessationofhisemploymentintheweekending27November2005.

IamalsooftheviewthattheAWAdidnotcovertheworkperformedbyMrBrownwhenhetookovertheresponsibilityfortheTownsvilleoperationsfromMrSinclair. Inmyview,MrBrownwastheManagerofQSP'sTownsvilleoperationsregardlessofhistitle,andwasemployedonasalariedbasis. Further,MrBrownwasnotacasualemployeeon27November2005whentheTownsvilleoperationsofQSPwerecloseddownandMrBrown'semploymentwasterminated. Inanyevent,evenifMrBrownwasacasualemployee,hewasnotashorttermcasualemployeeandisentitledtobringanapplicationallegingunfairdismissalunders.72oftheAct.

Unders.73oftheIndustrialRelationsAct1999,adismissalisunfairifitisharsh,unjustorunreasonable. Indecidingwhetheradismissalisunfair,theCommissionmustconsider:

(a)whethertheemployeewasnotifiedofthereasonforthedismissal;and

(b)whetherthedismissalrelatedtotheoperationalrequirementsoftheemployerortheemployee'sconduct,capacityorperformance;and

(c)ifthedismissalrelatestotheemployee'sconduct,capacityorperformance,whethertheemployeehadbeenwarnedaboutthesemattersorgivenanopportunitytorespondtoallegationsabouttheconduct,capacityorperformance;and

(d)anyothermatterstheCommissionconsidersrelevant.

Inthepresentcase,IamsatisfiedthatMrBrownwasnotifiedofthereasonforhisdismissalandthatthedifficultiesforMrTeeinkeepingtheTownsvilleoperationviablewerealsodiscussedwithMrBrownonanongoingbasis. Iamalsosatisfiedthatthedismissalrelatedtotheoperationalrequirementsoftheemployerandthatthoserequirementswerebonafide. Effectively,MrBrownwasredundant. However,itwasnotcontendedorestablishedinthecaseconductedonbehalfofMrBrown,thatMrBrownhadanentitlementtoredundancypayunderthetermsofanaward. Evenifsuchasubmissionhadbeenmade,therewasnoproperevidencebeforetheCommissionuponwhichafindingthatMrBrownhadanentitlementtoredundancypayinaccordancewiththeTerminationChangeandRedundancyClauseStatementofPolicy(2003)174QGIG908.

Theapplicationdidnotseekaminimumredundancypaymentunders.85BoftheAct. Further,theapplicationdidnotseekthattheCommissionmakeanorderunders.87oftheActforthepaymentofaseveranceallowanceandotherseparationbenefits. WhileMrBrownprobablypreparedhisownapplication,perhapswithoutadvice,helaterhadaccesstoadvicefromanindustrialadvocate,whohadampleopportunitytomaketheamendmentstotheapplicationnecessarytosupportsuchaclaim. Thisdidnotoccur. InlightofthedeficienciesintheapplicationandthelackofevidenceandpropersubmissionsonthispointIamnotpreparedtoawardMrBrownanamountofredundancypay.

However,IamoftheviewthatfairnesswouldrequirethatMrBrownwasgivenreasonablenoticeoftheterminationofhisemployment,orpaidanamountinlieuofsuchnotice. Ontermination,MrBrownwasonlypaidforthetimehehadworkedintheweeksprecedingthecessationofhisemployment. Inmyview,thismadeMrBrown'sdismissalunfair. TherewaslittleevidenceinrelationtofactorswhicharegenerallytakenintoaccountbytheCommissioninassessingcompensation(seeBarshavMotorFinanceWizard(SalesPtyLtd)(2002)171QGIG139.

Atthepointhisemploymentwasterminated,MrBrownwaseffectivelymanagingQSP'sTownsvilleoperation,andhadbeenfulfillingthisroleforovertwelvemonths. TherewasnoevidenceofanyformalcomplaintaboutMrBrown'sconduct,capacityorworkperformance. MrBrownhadayoungfamilyandcommitmentstomeet. OntheotherhandMrBrownhadconsiderablenoticeaboutlossofcontractsandtheresultingdifficultiesinmaintainingQSP'sTownsvilleoperations. TherewasnoevidencethatMrBrownfacedanydifficultyinattemptingtoobtainalternativeemployment. MrBrowndidnotlookforalternativeemploymentorincreasethehourshewasworkingasatowtruckdriver. RatherMrBrownconcentratedonstartinghisownbusiness. ThatthebusinessdidnotmakemoneyforthefirstninemonthsofitsoperationisnotentirelyattributabletoMrBrown'sdismissal. Further,therewasevidencethatMrBrownhadcommencedtoworkforanotheremployerduringthetimehewasworkingforQSP,indicatingthatMrBrowndidnotviewhisfuturewithQSPascertain.

Inallofthecircumstances,IawardMrBrowncompensationforhisunfairdismissalintheamountofonemonthspayattherateof$850.00perweek. Therespondent,QSPistopaytoMrBrowntheamountof$3,400.00within21daysofthedateofthisdecision. Iorderaccordingly.

I.C.ASBURY,Commissioner.
HearingDetails:
20068November
15November(Writtensubmissionsfromrespondent)
29November(Nowrittensubmissionsfromapplicant'srepresentative) /

Appearances:

Mr J.O'DonnellofJamesO'DonnellAssociatesfortheapplicant.
MrJ.D.TeeofQueenslandSecurityProviders.
Released: 15 March 2007

Government Printer, Queensland

The State of Queensland 2007.