Unfair dismissal and the Coronavirus pandemic: Creative responses from Australia’s Fair Work Commission

Abstract

This article reviews five key decisions of Australia’s Fair Work Commission, each of which concerns a claim for unfair dismissal under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) by employees whose employment was terminated during the Coronavirus pandemic. Each decision demonstrates that the Commission has exercised its decision-making powers in a creative, yet highly responsive manner, during this global crisis.