Conciliation Register

The complainant is 68 years of age and was employed as a helicopter pilot with the respondent government agency. He claimed he was asked about his retirement plans, told that he was 'getting past his used by date' and told he should think about moving on. He also claimed the agency prevented him from flying because of alleged concerns about the impact of a vision impairment on his ability to pilot a helicopter safely.

The agency claimed concerns were held about the complainant's ability to safely perform his role and denied that the complainant’s age or disability were factors in decisions regarding his employment.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the agency pay the complainant $50,000 nett. The parties agreed to end the employment relationship.

The complainant is 75 years of age and had been employed by the respondent club as a fulltime carpenter for about 18 years. He claimed that, after the Human Resources Manager became aware of his age, the club falsely accused him of breaching work safety rules and proposed to cut his hours with a view to transitioning him into retirement. He claimed that after he was accused of another safety incident, the club offered a package to end his employment, his manager made a comment about his age, and the club pressured him to resign.

The club claimed the complainant had been counselled about four safety breaches in the previous 12 months. The club said a meeting was held with the complainant and a union representative and it was agreed that the complainant would resign.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the club pay the complainant $4,500 gross and provide him with a statement of service.

The complainant is 56 years of age and was employed on a casual basis as a kitchen hand at the respondent club. He claimed the club stopped offering him work and told him a younger person had been employed to cope with the upcoming busier Christmas period.

On being advised of the complaint the club agreed to participate in conciliation.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the club pay the complainant approximately $1800 in lieu of four weeks’ notice.