Tasmanian bottle shop worker reinstated after unfair dismissal ruling
Wendy Blair, dubbed “The Enforcer” for using a roller door to block shop robbers, won an unfair-dismissal case and will return to her BWS job with backpay.
After a series of robberies at a BWS store in Prospect Vale, employee Wendy Blair earned the nickname “The Enforcer” by closing a roller door to deter thieves. Despite the store’s policy advising staff not to engage, she was not warned about using the door and was later dismissed following a January incident. Fair Work Commissioner Ben Redford ruled the dismissal unlawful, ordering her reinstatement and half-salary backpay.
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association celebrated the verdict and called on Tasmania’s government to accelerate new workplace protection laws. Attorney-General Guy Barnett is already consulting on a Workplace Protection Order scheme. Endeavour Group said it will review the ruling while maintaining that staff safety remains its top priority.
Why it matters
The case highlights gaps in retail safety policies and could spur stronger worker-protection laws in Tasmania.
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