Nurse’s Unfair Sacking?
A Melbourne Nursing Home received a stern warning this week by the Fair Work Ombudsman over what has been described as a “heartless and shabby treatment” of one of their longstanding aged-care nurses.
The Nursing Home has been placed on notice, and will be monitored closely to ensure that it stays compliant with workplace laws after an incident involving the Nurse.
Here’s the lowdown: while at work, an aged-care nurse fell and broke her hip. After seven months of recovery at home, she was basically told not to come back to work, thank you very much.
What’s intriguing and puts a new twist on this story is the age of the nurse – she is a spritely 74 years old.
More injustices came to light when Fair Work inspectors looked further into the situation. From the article at News.com.au:
“The nurse did not believe she had received her full entitlements on termination and complained to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
When a Fair Work inspector first contacted the nursing home, it initially denied that the complainant had been employed there. However, after demanding to see employment records, inspectors subsequently found the nurse had been underpaid annual leave and long-service leave entitlements and for some hours worked.
The company has now reimbursed the nurse almost $30,000.”
My question therefore, is this:
- How much of this has to do with the Nurse’s age? Would a younger worker have received the same treatment?
Additionally, how old is too old to look after ‘aged care’ patients?
From my own foray into the world of aged care several years ago, I know that some patients in Nursing Homes are actually younger then the 74 year old Nurse. Conversely, you also find 90year olds who are living quite happily on their own in the community, so I guess it depends on each individual.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this story?
The wrongful dismissal is obviously something thats very wrong and shouldn’t happen whatever the age of the nurse.
I’d rather delve on the aspect of a 74 year old nurse taking care of patients.
I’m not against aged nurses.. but the duties of a nurse to a patient may not be carried out as effectively by someone above the age of seventy. I know there are obvious exceptions..as in some cases someone in their seventies may be more fit than someone in their fifties. These are however rare.
i think that after the age of sixty a nurse should be allowed to continue with fewer responsibilities in more of a relaxed role rather than a full fledged nurse role.
These are just general thoughts.. I don’t mean to be offensive to older people.
Wonder if she recieved workers comp? You know your too old to work when you break your hip from a fall!! At least she’ll be able to personally relate to the patients I guess, More of a liability for the company then an asset, Insurance-wise. How do u nicely tell someone to quit/retire these days though!?