The IRC warned against using text messages for this purpose, but
left the two parties to reach a private settlement.
Thirty-seven year old John Eid had worked for JNI Traffic
Control. His lawyer, Tom Earls, told the IRC that his client had
been fired by an SMS message sent from a company director.
According to CNN, the message read,
"Its (sic) official, you no longer work for
JNI Traffic Control and u (sic) have forfided (sic) any
arrangements made,"
The company argued that it had not fired Mr Eid, but that he had
resigned. According to CNN, JNI lawyer Kathryn Dent said that Mr
Eid had “stated he would not work for JNI ever again and swore in
colourful language, at length.” She added, “The SMS message that
was sent the next day was an acceptance of a resignation."
However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that Commissioner
Elizabeth Bishop was very critical of the company. She said, "It is
not appropriate to send text messages, even as a confirmation of
someone resigning ... You get a letter couriered ... you will never
do this again, will you."
She added, “What happened to the old-fashioned letter, or
talking in person. Some things are not appropriate. It should be
perfectly obvious to all and sundry.”
Mr Eid and JNI were instructed to try to reconcile their
differences, and reached a private settlement yesterday
afternoon.
