Legal proceedings involving an Independent Member of Pariliament
and her subordinate, a political staffer, were described as an
'important test case' in relation to the
meaning of 'fair and reasonable' overtime' in the
workplace.
The matter was adjudicated upon yesterday, with the Federal
Court of Australia
dismissing the staffer's interlocutory application to get
her job back on the basis she was terminated for refusing to work
in excess of 70 hours a week, with the judge finding that such
hours were not unfair given the nature of her position.
Rugg v
Ryan
Mediation had earlier failed between Independent member for
Kooyong in Victoria, Dr Monique Ryan, and her former chief of
staff, Sally Rugg; the latter of whom alleged she was terminated
from her position for refusing to work "unreasonable"
hours.
