Serious Misconduct
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Across all industries and workplaces, over two-million workers in unions across Australia continue to negotiate higher pay to ensure all members get a fair wage for a fair day’s work. Join your union today and make it happen.Serious misconduct refers to a significant violation of your terms of employment.
This includes things like:
- Putting someone’s health and safety at risk
- Putting your employer’s reputation, viability or profitability at serious risk
- Stealing
- Fraud
- Being intoxicated at work
- Refusing to do tasks that are a reasonable part of your job
If you engage in serious misconduct you can be dismissed on the spot and without notice. This usually means that you will not receive further pay, superannuation payments or other entitlements, apart from what you have already earned the time of dismissal.
If you are accused of serious misconduct
If your employer accuses you of serious misconduct you should:
- Ask your union for advice about what to do immediately
- Keep communication with your employer in writing as much as possible
- Always take a union representative or other support person with you when meeting with your employer
If the dismissal is harsh, unjust or unreasonable you may be able to file for unfair dismissal.
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