When Sarah* came to the Working Women’s Centre Victoria, she was at breaking point. 

Her home had burned down. Her long-term relationship had ended. And she was navigating the stress of an ongoing legal matter in the courts. The toll on her physical and mental health was immense—so much so that she suffered a heart attack. But just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, she was fired from her job. 

Sarah worked as a disability support worker in a mental health facility. When her employer found out she had a pending court matter (which was unrelated to her work) they took immediate action. Her employer revoked access to the facility without warning. Sarah explained the situation and asked for support. But instead of giving Sarah the chance to work through it, her employer terminated her contract. 

They claimed that, because she couldn’t attend work on the day of her hearing, she could no longer meet the “inherent requirements” of her role. That didn’t feel right to Sarah. She had done nothing wrong. Sarah believed she was dismissed for something completely unrelated to her performance or conduct at work.  

Already overwhelmed, Sarah now found herself without income or support. She felt isolated, punished, and powerless. 

That’s when she reached out to our team at the Working Women’s Centre Victoria. 

We listened. We believed her. And we helped her understand her rights. 

Our team supported Sarah to make a claim for unfair dismissal through the Fair Work Commission. We helped her prepare for conciliation and stood by her through every step of the process. 

Thanks to her determination—and with our legal support—Sarah secured six weeks’ pay from her former employer. It was a huge step toward regaining control. But even more important was the feeling that someone was finally in her corner. 

We’re continuing to support Sarah with the consequences of her dismissal, including challenging the loss of her security clearance. But now, she doesn’t have to face it alone. 

We’re here for women and nonbinary people who are navigating unfair dismissal. 

If you’re facing unfair dismissal, you have options. Unfair dismissal can include being fired without a valid reason, without proper warning, or in a way that’s harsh or unreasonable. 

The Working Women’s Centre Victoria has a team of lawyers ready to provide free, confidential legal help. If you’re unsure, contact us. We can help you understand your rights, explore your options, and take action if needed. 

We’re here to help any woman working anywhere in Victoria, even if you live in regional or remote areas. We can also organise an interpreter if you need. 

Contact us today: 

Call 1800 WWC VIC (1800 992 842), Mon-Fri 9am-3pm