Nadia Collis, a Victorian Catholic school teacher is taking FWC action against south-west secondary school Emmanual College alleging the school violated her workplace rights – breaching whistleblower protections, discriminating on the basis of religion, sex and gender, and retaliatory actions for exercising her industrial rights.
Ms Collis was an HSR of a DWG that reported to her alleged bullying behaviour by another staff member. Ms Collis said that the principal refused to meet with her to discuss the concerns of her DWG about the unsafe work environment. When served with a PIN for failure to address the reported hazard Ms Collis alleges that the principal and the Catholic education governing body carried out an extensive series of retaliatory acts against her that culminating in terminating her employment.
Ms Collis said the situation had led to a PTSD diagnosis, severe panic attacks and "horrific nightmares", and left her questioning her Catholic identity.
"I feel like I've been excommunicated from my community for espousing the very values we're taught, and Emmanuel [College] tries to instil in its students," she said. "I have tried to stand up for staff and students and my reputation has been ruined."
Ms Collis's case is scheduled to go before the Fair Work Commission on March 3. SafetyNet will be watching for the court’s decision with interest.
Read more: Emmanuel College teacher allegedly sacked after flagging staff bullying - ABC News