The Importance of Knowing Where you Work!

Avon Products Pty Limited v Margaret Falls [2010] ACTCA 21 (31 August 2010)

Background

Ms Falls was an Avon sales manager who allegedly sustained a mental injury arising from bullying and harassment by her supervisor. Ms Falls was responsible for the operational area of Avon located exclusively within the ACT. The evidence was that she spent approximately eight to ten hours a day working in the ACT. It was also her habit to perform about two to three hours of work at home each evening, doing bookwork. The worker lived in Jerrabomberra, NSW.

Ms Falls sought a declaration pursuant to s36 of the Workers Compensation Act that the ACT was the territory or state with which her employment was connected when she worked for Avon, so as to be awarded compensation under ACT law.