Back-to-work battle

A 40-YEAR-OLD Dandenong man returned to work yesterday (Wednesday) following a battle with Visy to keep his long-term job.
The cardboard giant threatened to sack Agron Rexhepi from the role he’d performed since 2011 because a medical examination deemed him unfit to perform the position he’d held previously.
Late Monday Visy backed down on its threats ahead of a Federal Court hearing scheduled for Tuesday and agreed that Mr Rexhepi could return to work.
Maurice Blackburn lawyer Josh Bornstein said this was a “baffling case of direct discrimination”.
“Mr Rexhepi has a long and unblemished record at Visy since he began working there as a labour hand in 1996,” he said.
“He was seriously injured in 2001 during his time as a floor supervisor and he battled hard to return to work quickly on modified office duties.
“He went back on the floor years later when needed until agreeing to a company request two years ago to move to a new role as a quality control manager.”
But recently a new manager suspended Mr Rexhepi from work and directed that he attend a medical examination.
The company asked the doctor to advise whether Mr Rexhepi was fit to perform the role he held prior to being injured in 2001.
Visy then claimed he was not fit for continued employment and suspended him.
“The doctor who examined Mr Rexhepi at Visy’s direction says that Mr Rexhepi has the capacity to perform quality control work – which is the work he has been enjoying for the last two years,” Mr Bornstein said.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s print division national secretary Lorraine Cassin said Mr Rexhepi had a long and unblemished record at Visy since 1996 and should have been treated better.
“This case highlights that no matter how large and powerful an employer is, the mistreatment of employees should not be tolerated in workplaces,” Ms Cassin said.
“Mr Rexhepi deserves this outcome, but he did not deserve to be put in this situation by his employer, nor did he deserve the stress this has inflicted upon him and his family.
“He has done everything the company has required and requested of him, he hasn’t set a foot wrong in his work, and in return he is threatened with the sack.”
The Star contact Visy but did not receive a response before deadline.