By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A FORMER warehouse employee of Geelong’s Cotton On claims she was terminated after suffering a hernia from unsafe work practices.
Brooke Wagstaff, 31, of Bell Post Hill, said she was off work for two weeks after surgery to correct her umbilical hernia, with another two weeks on light duties.
But Cotton On sacked her the day after she was cleared to return to normal duties, Ms Wagsaff said.
“The doctors told me I suffered the hernia because of heavy lifting,” she said.
“I was shocked. I was told I was sacked for poor work progress but as I was being escorted out, my manager told me I could reapply for my position as a casual.
“Why would they do that if I wasn’t meeting work requirements? I was hurt, angry and so annoyed but because I was on trial I had no leg to stand on.”
National Union of Workers organiser Chris Calvert said it was disappointing a business the size and profitability of Cotton On was unable to provide meaningful jobs after staff were injured at work.
Mr Calvert said Cotton On was able to sack Ms Wagstaff because she was on six months’ probation and the company was not required to offer permanent ongoing work.
“It’s a loophole in the system. Even though you’re injured because work practices are not safe you’re thrown on the scrap heap.”
Mr Calvert said the union would run a health and safety blitz of Geelong’s warehouse and logistics industry in the next few months.
A Cotton On spokesperson defended the company’s safety standards.
“We have implemented an upgraded safety program to increase safety awareness. We have achieved a 70 per cent reduction in 2011/2012 in time lost due workplace injuries.
“We also have a 70 per cent reduction in claims and we are performing 18 per cent better than industry average in regards to safety.”
