Fair Work Commission rules on serious allegations in Coles labor case

The Fair Work Commission ruled on a labor case involving a night fill manager at the Traralgon store in Victoria, which has been since 2005. The team member was rostered from November 4 to November 6, 2025. The case centered on allegations that the team member was involved in the discovery of a crack pipe and two bags of methamphetamine in the store. According to the account of Coles store manager Conrad Taylor, the team member was seen using the disabled toilets before the discovery was made.

The ruling clarifies the burden of proof in employment disputes, stating that employees must prove they were dismissed by their employer. The case established that an employee's resignation must not be due to the employer's conduct, or that the resignation was made 'in the heat of the moment' to file a valid application with the umpire.