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Fair Work Dismisses Woolworths Claim as Cases Surge 70%

5/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Fair Work Commission deputy president Alan Colman dismissed the Woolworths casual employee’s unfair dismissal claim as unmeritorious.
He noted the employee ignored a direction to attend a telephone hearing, continued working after filing the claim, and later stopped showing up, confirming no dismissal.
Justice Adam Hatcher warned case numbers have risen 70 percent over three years, partly because applicants use AI tools, adding to the commission’s workload.

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Story summary

Fair Work Commission deputy president Alan Colman dismissed the Woolworths casual employee’s unfair dismissal claim as unmeritorious.
He noted the employee ignored a direction to attend a telephone hearing, continued working after filing the claim, and later stopped showing up, confirming no dismissal.
Justice Adam Hatcher warned case numbers have risen 70 percent over three years, partly because applicants use AI tools, adding to the commission’s workload.