WRC rejects Patrick Smith’s unfair dismissal and notice complaints against Baxter Healthcare Sa

The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Patrick Smith’s unfair dismissal and minimum notice complaints against Baxter Healthcare Sa, making no award. In a decision dated 16 April 2026, adjudicator Brian Dolan found the dismissal fair and the notice complaint not well-founded. Smith said procedural shortcomings and a disproportionate sanction made his dismissal unfair. Baxter said he failed to report incorrect labels, complete required hourly labeller checks and follow procedure when using a bypass key, contributing to a precautionary product recall. The adjudicator found that later formal meetings provided notice and representation rights, and that dismissal was within the range of reasonable responses given the breaches and medical-device safety context.