Post Unlawfully Using Doctor Scheme

Date: 09 May 2006

Australia Post has been caught out unlawfully using its in-house doctor scheme to force injured workers back to work and deny workers' compensation, says the CEPU NSW Communications Division.

An Australian Industrial Relations Commission decision today found Australia Post was wrongly using a scheme to test an employee's fitness for work. Australia Post was wrongly using the Award as a vehicle to justify their unlawful actions against employees making application for sick leave or workers compensation following a workplace injury.

Evidence provided to the Commission showed employees who attended their own doctor were found unfit for work 95 per cent of the time, yet when they saw a company-appointed doctor just six per cent were found unfit for work.

"This decision is a win for injured Postal workers who have been subjected to harassment and bullying behaviour under Australia Post's doctor scheme," said Communications Union (CEPU) NSW Secretary Jim Metcher.

"The practice was grossly unfair to injured workers because doctors - paid by Australia post - invariably found them fit for work when Postal workers own doctors were saying they were unfit following a workplace injury."

Mr Metcher said the decision highlighted the effectiveness of the independent umpire - the AIRC - in providing an avenue for natural justice for workers against unfair or unlawful boss behaviour.

"John Howard's industrial relations changes, which unilaterally remove the power of the AIRC, are an attack on workers mistreated by their employers."

The Howard Government industrial relations changes remove the role of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in resolving industrial disputes.

For further information

Contact:	Nathan Brown
Union:	Essential Media Communications
Contact Mobile:	0414 873 903

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