Melbourne. A long-serving Centrelink employee was dismissed after repeatedly failing to meet call quality and performance standards. The Fair Work Commission upheld the dismissal as fair.
Where: Melbourne
Case name: Kelly Pritchard v Commonwealth of Australia as represented by Services Australia [2025] FWC 2002
Date of decision: 25 July 2025
Link to full case: Click here to view decision
Who: Kelly Pritchard, Centrelink service officer with nearly 30 years’ service
What: Dismissed for poor performance after failing support plans and refusing a transfer
Outcome: FWC found dismissal was not unfair and dismissed her claim
Legal Principle/s:
• A valid reason for dismissal can be based on repeated underperformance.
• Employer followed fair process, including warning and support plans.
• Even a long-serving employee can be dismissed if reasonable performance expectations are not met.
Commentary:
This case highlights that if an employee repeatedly fails to meet reasonable performance targets, even after support, a dismissal may be upheld as fair regardless of long service.
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