FIFO Miner Unfairly Dismissed: Compensation Awarded
In a notable case from Western Australia, FIFO worker Jamie-Lee Corless-Crane has been awarded substantial compensation after being deemed unfairly dismissed from her role as a pit technician. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruled in her favour following a significant incident at the Mt Ida mine site, where she was alleged to have mishandled nearly 60 ounces of gold, valued at approximately $200,000.
Background of the Case
Corless-Crane was let go by Aurenne Management Services in January 2023, shortly after commencing her shift. The dismissal stemmed from accusations that she permitted ore to be sent to waste, rather than the processing plant. However, the FWC found that senior staff bore greater responsibility for the operational mishap.
Deputy President Melanie Binet of the FWC stated that a compensation payout equivalent to 16 weeks’ salary, approximately $30,769, was deemed appropriate, noting that this figure did not account for any distress or humiliation experienced by Corless-Crane.
Circumstances Leading to Dismissal
During a pre-shift meeting on January 7, Corless-Crane received an outdated map for her shifts. When an excavator operator contacted her about locating a block of ore, visibility was low due to the early morning hours, and the GPS system was malfunctioning. Despite discrepancies between the map and the actual markings on site, the excavator operator confirmed that they were in the correct location.
Subsequently, excavation took place in a location determined to be incorrect, resulting in significant quantities of gold being lost to waste piles. This mistake was compounded by the fact that the excavation work had been conducted during daylight hours, when more experienced team members should have ensured the accuracy of the handover documentation.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation into the incident took a week, during which time Corless-Crane received notification of her dismissal along with a detailed explanation of the grounds for the decision. She was accused of failing to exercise proper control over the mining activity, assuming there had been a mistake on the production schedule indicator (PSI) board, and not escalating her concerns about the inaccuracies in the documentation she received.
Corless-Crane contended that she relied on the provided documentation, asserting that the inaccuracies were not her responsibility and that she faced challenges on her night shift without a supervisor available for guidance. She argued that she was the least experienced member of her team, and the failure should not have rested solely on her shoulders.
The FWC ultimately concluded that Corless-Crane should not have been held accountable for the loss of the gold. The Commission highlighted that more experienced colleagues had failed to notice the deficiencies in the handover paperwork. It was determined that she acted as the last line of defence in a series of mistakes attributed to others with more experience.
Aftermath of the Ruling
Following her dismissal, Corless-Crane struggled to find employment in similar roles and expressed concern over her ability to support herself and her family. The case has drawn attention to issues of accountability in workplace practices, particularly in high-stakes environments like mining.
The FWC’s decision not only reinstated some financial security for Corless-Crane but also raised questions about the treatment of junior staff in industries reliant on collective responsibility for operational safety and efficiency. The absence of disciplinary measures for more senior colleagues involved in the error has further highlighted potential discrepancies in workplace accountability.
In conclusion, the ruling serves as a reminder that fair treatment and due process are essential in the workforce, particularly when mistakes can have severe financial implications. Jamie-Lee Corless-Crane’s case exemplifies the need for organisations to uphold accountability across all levels of staff to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
