Geelong's Bellarine Court aged care facility was taken to the Federal Court by the Fair Work Ombudsman when Carolyn Jelcic, a personal care assistant returned to work 12 months after having her second child. She had previously worked six afternoon shifts and one sleepover a fortnight; on returning she was just offered sleepovers which she couldnt do because of her new child. The employer regarded this as a resignation. The operator, A Dalley Holdings was fined $27,720 and manager and part-owner Andrew Dalley, was fined $3168. Carolyn Jelcic won $5000 compensation. The penalty was the highest achieved by the Fair Work Ombudsman for a discrimination based case since it acquired its powers (2009). Its the fourth successful prosecution for pregnancy discrimination.
Government Policy
No excuse for providers to not be ready on 1 November: Aged Care Minister Sam Rae
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae has told ABC radio the Aged Care Rules have been in place for “a significant amount of time” and the Government has been listening to and supporting to the sector, “so, there really isn’t an excuse from any provider to not be prepared for 1 November”.
