Australian Rugby / RA

[fatprop]

He's unemployable because his bushfire remarks have put everyone offside besides the extreme religious crazies.

If an NRL player can find employment after being recorded pissing in his own mouth or others who have beaten their partners, then I think he will find a place to play if he chooses

 

[Braveheart81]

And RA and other sporting bodies have been put on notice that they cant indiscriminately fire employees because of their public opinions and beliefs.

It hasn't been tested whatsoever though from a legal standpoint. There is no precedent here.

The situation is unchanged that an employer can terminate an employee but most likely has to pay something for that privilege.

If the situation was repeated whether in rugby or another sport where a high profile player is causing damage to the employer, I can't see how the actions taken would be any different. They would still terminate the employment and wear some cost to do so.

 

[Lorenzo]

If an NRL player can find employment after being recorded pissing in his own mouth, then I think he will find a place to play if he chooses

The NRL has people involved in unprovoked violent assaults.

Shows you just how the community views folau.

 

[sidelineview]

What battle have they won, though? Nothing that happened here will prevent a similar scenario from happening in the future.

It may, MAY, help top-end sportspeople in future situations, but it means bugger all for everyone else.
.

He was vindicated in expressing his religious beliefs.

It remains to be seen whether this will prevent a similar situation arising.

It depends what happens with the Religious Discrimination Bill, how it's worded and if it will have a real impact in the workplace.

 

[fatprop]

The NRL has people involved in unprovoked violent assaults.

Shows you just how the community views folau.

Yes, the double standard is astounding

 

[barbarian]

He was vindicated in expressing his religious beliefs.

I have to disagree with you on that. He's lost his career in Australian rugby, there is no two ways about it.

I'd argue vindication would mean a return to the field in some form.

At present he may have achieved an apology, but he's far worse off than where he was at the start of 2019.

 

[Lorenzo]

Yes, the double standard is astounding

Agreed, the violent types shouldn't be there either.

 

[Bobby Sands]

interesting perspective there. Can't have the best of both worlds. If RA/Raelene didn't settle then this would have dragged on for years and you would not have seen the back of him for a long time.

We are now potentially welcoming him back?

He has paraded his beliefs which fly in the face of the rugby community, been unwilling to find common ground and from reports made more than that total of his contract.

If that’s the cost of business, then reluctantly fine - but to then open the arms again?

The NRL won’t take this bloke - he has made AR his duality of punching bag & money pit. Exactly what a tormentor does to the one they abuse.

Australian rugby has Stockholm syndrome.

 

[sidelineview]

It hasn't been tested whatsoever though from a legal standpoint. There is no precedent here.

The situation is unchanged that an employer can terminate an employee but most likely has to pay something for that privilege.

If the situation was repeated whether in rugby or another sport where a high profile player is causing damage to the employer, I can't see how the actions taken would be any different. They would still terminate the employment and wear some cost to do so.

RA backed down and had to pay compensation.

No employer, especially one with a history of incompetence wants that.

It will be interesting to see what employers will be allowed to include in contracts in future.

It will be interesting to see if the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill will have real impact or whether it will be a paper tiger.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

He was vindicated in expressing his religious beliefs.

vindication
/vɪndɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
noun

1. the action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion.
   "I intend to work to ensure my full vindication"
   • proof that someone or something is right, reasonable, or justified.
     "the results were interpreted as vindication of the company's policy"

Nope, still can't see how he was vindicated

 

[Lorenzo]

They both backed down. Folau claimed his NPV but for the firing was 14m, yet at most he got 8 (and probably half that).

The religious bill will be meaning less if it ever passes because the coalition needs corporate interests more than religious interests.

 

[Slim 293]

We are now potentially welcoming him back?

He has paraded his beliefs which fly in the face of the rugby community, been unwilling to find common ground and from reports made more than that total of his contract.

If that’s the cost of business, then reluctantly fine - but to then open the arms again?

The NRL won’t take this bloke - he has made AR his duality of punching bag & money pit. Exactly what a tormentor does to the one they abuse.

Australian rugby has Stockholm syndrome.

He’s not coming back.........

 

[Braveheart81]

RA backed down and had to pay compensation.

Folau also backed down and ended his claim for $14m.

The vast majority of wrongful termination claims get settled and paid out even when there is criminality involved by the employee. The threat of a protracted legal battle is generally worse for the business than settling and making a payment.

We are now potentially welcoming him back?

What makes you think this?

 

[fatprop]

Agreed, the violent types shouldn't be there either.

Interesting outlook, the concept of redemption is gone?

So Sevu Reece should have been banned for life domestic violence?

I don't look forward to your future

 

[Benaud]

It hasn't been tested whatsoever though from a legal standpoint. There is no precedent here.

The situation is unchanged that an employer can terminate an employee but most likely has to pay something for that privilege.

If the situation was repeated whether in rugby or another sport where a high profile player is causing damage to the employer, I can't see how the actions taken would be any different. They would still terminate the employment and wear some cost to do so.

From an employer perspective, the next challenge is how to word a contract that allows dismissal in similar circumstances without having to pay severance. I assume the proposed legislation is designed to prevent that, at least in this context. It's going to be an interesting space to watch. Especially the extent to which an individual's social media or other personal representations are taken to be representations of the company they're employed by.

 

[sidelineview]

I have to disagree with you on that. He's lost his career in Australian rugby, there is no two ways about it.

I'd argue vindication would mean a return to the field in some form.

At present he may have achieved an apology, but he's far worse off than where he was at the start of 2019.

It depends how you look at it.

Folau and his supporters were shooting much higher than what he would gain personally.
He was prepared to not return to the field in order to gain this breakthrough and achievement.

I see it as a great achievement as well but we can agree to disagree on that.

 

[sidelineview]

They both backed down. Folau claimed his NPV but for the firing was 14m, yet at most he got 8 (and probably half that).

The religious bill will be meaning less if it ever passes because the coalition needs corporate interests more than religious interests.

It wasn't about money although he needed money for his defence which was provided for him.

And its not about religious interests either.

It's about basic rights of citizens but it becomes very messy when sporting bodies are so reliant on the corporate dollar and the sponsors need to be appeased.

 

[Lorenzo]

But he didn't achieve anything real for his supporters. The legal commentary has pointed this out.

 

[Braveheart81]

From an employer perspective, the next challenge is how to word a contract that allows dismissal in similar circumstances without having to pay severance. I assume the proposed legislation is designed to prevent that, at least in this context. It's going to be an interesting space to watch. Especially the extent to which an individual's social media or other personal representations are taken to be representations of the company they're employed by.

I don't think it's really going to matter. Their current contract plus code of conduct might have been fine. We don't know.

Regardless of what a contract says, it comes back to employment law.

Was the dismissal harsh, unjust or unreasonable?

Was there a valid reason for the dismissal related to the employee's capacity or conduct?

The fact that a contract might have a million clauses saying that employment can be terminated for damaging the reputation of the employer via social media posts, the employee still has the right to test that in court.

 

[RugbyReg]

We are now potentially welcoming him back?

He has paraded his beliefs which fly in the face of the rugby community, been unwilling to find common ground and from reports made more than that total of his contract.

If that’s the cost of business, then reluctantly fine - but to then open the arms again?

The NRL won’t take this bloke - he has made AR his duality of punching bag & money pit. Exactly what a tormentor does to the one they abuse.

Australian rugby has Stockholm syndrome.

I haven't seen anything to suggest we are welcoming him back. In fact the opposite, more we are finally washing our hands with him.

As for parading his beliefs, as barbarian has suggested, he was going to do that tenfold through the court process. We have effectively cut off that option for him too.

He's now officially an ex-Wallaby / ex- Waratah. Done and dusted. Good news for him is he can say whatever he likes now without risking his employment contract.