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ARTICLE · 17 JANUARY 2016

Workplace relations & safety

Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
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Holding Redlich

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There was a raft of key discrimination cases in 2015 with important implications and lessons for Government and business.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Michael Selinger
Michael Selinger
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Key discrimination cases from 2015

There was a raft of key discrimination cases in 2015 with several important implications and lessons for both Government and business.

How to respond – or more specifically, how not to respond - when an employee announces their pregnancy came under the spotlight last year with lessons emerging from two key cases:

Sagona v R & C Piccoli Investments Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] FCCA 875

Samantha Sagona was a salaried photographer and salesperson with Piccoli Photography. Once she informed the owners that she was pregnant, she was subjected to a raft of negative comments from them about her ability to continue to perform in her role. Several demands regarding her contract and working hours were also made. Sagona resigned, claiming that she had been constructively dismissed (i.e. forced to quit) by the business's conduct. The court found that the business had taken "adverse action" against Sagona by both dismissing her and injuring her

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