Firm fined for want of work

A DANDENONG business has pleaded guilty to failing to provide proper employment to an injured worker, as required under Victoria’s workers’ compensation legislation.
On 13 November, The Precast Company pleaded guilty to the offence in the Dandenong Magistrates Court.
The Court heard that the injured worker was working as a crane operator when he suffered a crush injury to his finger. He attended Dandenong hospital and five days later was certified as being fit for alternative duties.
Two weeks later he left work early to attend the doctors. When he returned on Monday he was told he had abandoned his employment.
At the time, The Precast Company defended its action stating the worker had not been dismissed, but instead had walked out of the workplace half way through the day without reason.
The court found that, as the injured worker had an accepted workers’ compensation claim, by dismissing the injured worker The Precast Company had failed to provide suitable employment despite the worker being certified for alternative duties.
The company was fined $2500 without conviction and agreed to pay costs of $1500.