‘Extremely’ harsh, unjust and unreasonable dismissal
“Inclusivity means being inclusive of all opinions, including racist and Nazi opinions.”
These are the words employer Grove Children's Centre (via management) spoke to employee and applicant Mr Didi just days before he was dismissed. Hours prior, Mr Didi had told his colleague, Ms Skordos, that attendance at a 'March for Australia' rally was "not a good look" because it made her "look like one of them."
On 20 October 2025, Mr Didi overheard Ms Skordos speaking to colleagues about her recent attendance at a 'March for Australia' rally, reportedly claiming she was "right at the front". The FWC noted media reports associated the 'March for Australia' movement with "white nationalist ideas" and that the rally was, at times, "led by neo-Nazis". On his evidence, Mr Didi said Ms Skordos' attending the march was "not a good look," because it made her "look like one of them." Ms Skordos claimed that Mr Didi called her a racist and a neo-Nazi, which caused Ms Skordos to feel uncomfortable, particularly because "one of the [other] people present was Jewish." The FWC preferred Mr Didi's account of the conversation, but was otherwise not convinced there was a good reason to impugn the credibility of either Mr Didi or Ms Skordos.
Later on 20 October 2025, Ms Skordos made a complaint against Mr Didi. On the same day still, Mr Didi was called to a meeting with Grove's Operations Manager and Centre Director, in which he was reminded of the Centre's values, one of which is inclusivity. Mr Didi was told "inclusivity means being inclusive of all opinions, including racist and Nazi opinions," a comment the FWC found to be "extraordinarily insensitive, humiliating and harsh." During the meeting, Mr Didi became distressed and asked for a support person. His request was denied.
The following day, 21 October 2025, Mr Didi had a rostered day off.
On 22 October 2025, Mr Didi was called to a meeting in which he was informed Ms Daniela Abbotto, the Centre's 'Approved Provider' had decided to summarily dismiss his employment. Ms Abbotto did not speak to Mr Didi, Ms Skordos, or any witnesses before making her decision. Mr Didi has since been unable to secure employment in the childcare sector, despite having been a well respected and senior member of staff at the time of his dismissal.
The FWC accepted Mr Didi's account of his conversation with Mr Skordos, including that he said attendance at a 'March for Australia' rally was "not a good look." It rejected Ms Skordos' version that Mr Didi called her "a racist and a Nazi." The FWC found Mr Didi's dismissal was "extremely harsh" as well as being unjust and unreasonable, including because Grove had no valid reason for dismissing Mr Didi, and that the process that led to the dismissal was procedurally flawed and humiliating.
The FWC ordered Grove to pay Mr Didi compensation of $41,061 (plus super), which is the maximum amount of compensation it could order having regard to Mr Didi's salary.
Mr Amru Mohamed Didi v The Grove Childrens Centre Pty Ltd atf The Grove Children’s Centre Unit Trust [2026] FWC 1015