- Qantas will pay a worker for economic loss and ‘hurt and humiliation’
- The worker instructed staff not to clean planes in February 2020
- READ MORE: Gunman shoots man in the groin in the middle of the Sydney CBD
A Qantas worker has been awarded compensation from the airline after he was sacked for raising safety concerns at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Theo Seremetidis, a trained health and safety representative, was stood down and isolated from his colleagues by Qantas in February 2020.
Qantas’ actions towards Mr Seremetidis came hours after he instructed others to stop cleaning and servicing planes, as he was worried about the spread of Covid-19.
Mr Seremetidis’ directive came the day after Australia closed its borders to direct flights from China.
Qantas has since agreed to pay compensation after the airline was found guilty last year for breaching workplace health and safety laws.
The trained health and safety representative had told staff to not clean or service planes over concerns of the spread of COVID in February 2020
A NSW District Court heard on Wednesday Qantas agreed to pay $6,000 for Mr Seremetidis’ economic loss as well as $15,000 for ‘hurt and humiliation’.
However, the court is yet to determine the national carrier’s full liability in fines, compensation and costs.
Mr Seremetidis’ case is the first where a major airline has faced criminal prosecution for violations of workplace safety regulations.
At the time, the Qantas worker told staff to not clean planes under Section 85 of the Work Health and Safety Act, which gives employees the right to cease unsafe work.
The court heard the decision to stand down Mr Seremetidis went to the ‘upper echelons’ of Qantas Ground Services as well as parent company Qantas.
‘They all held substantial positions of power over Mr Seremetidis,’ prosecution barrister Matthew Moir said.
Mr Moir said Qantas gave priority to its commercial and operational interests over the health and safety of its workers.
When Mr Seremetidis was stood down, he was immediately cut-off from other staff members and was told he could not even leave to fill up his water bottle in the employee meal room, the court heard.
‘He was removed from the workplace and he was not allowed to return,’ Mr Moir said.
Qantas later put in a letter laying out several reasons why it had suspended the health and safety representative from his role.
However, judge David Russell said in his November decision the letter was an unsuccessful attempt to find more reasons to back up the airline’s conduct.
‘I have found that the reason for QGS engaging in discriminatory conduct towards Mr Seremetidis was because he exercised a power or performed a function as a health and safety representative,’ he said.
READ MORE: Former Bunnings worker in Maroochydore launches legal action
Nicole Moldenhauer (pictured), 43, who worked at Bunnings’ Marrochydoore store in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has lodged a $500,000 claim against the Wesfarmers-owned hardware chain after she allegedly suffered a back injury while moving 20kg products onto shelving in 2018
Read more
News Related-
Pedestrian in his 70s dies after being struck by a lorry in Co Laois
-
Vermont shooting updates: Burlington police reveal suspect’s eerie reaction to arrest
-
Grace Dent says her ‘heart is broken’ as she exits I’m A Celebrity early
-
Stromer’s ST3 Urban E-Bike Goes Fancy With Minimalist Design, Modern Tech
-
Under-pressure Justice Minister announces review of the use of force for gardaí
-
My appearance has changed because of ageing, says Jennifer Lawrence
-
Man allegedly stabbed in the head during row in Co Wexford direct provision centre
-
Children escape without injury after petrol bomb allegedly thrown at house in Cork City
-
Wexford gardai investigating assault as man is bitten in the face during Main Street altercation
-
Child minder’s husband handed eight year sentence for abusing two children
-
The full list of the best London restaurants, cafes and takeaways revealed at the Good Food Awards
-
Mazda CEO Says EVs 'Not Taking Off' In The U.S.—Except Teslas
-
Leitrim locals set up checkpoint to deter asylum seekers
-
Ask A Doctor: Can You Get Shingles More Than Once?