What a long-serving employee's legal battle reveals about 'speak-up' rights
A nearly 17-year Woolworths employee was dismissed, then sued. On 17 April 2026, a federal court threw out every single claim.
Marc Anthony Estonina worked for Woolworths Group Ltd from June 2007 until 5 February 2024, when the supermarket terminated his employment, sparking a legal dispute spanning sexual harassment, underpayment, enterprise agreement breaches, workplace safety, CEO liability and defamation.
Judge Manousaridis of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia summarily dismissed both proceedings.
In March 2019, a co-worker sent Estonina a series of text messages, one containing a photograph of a male without any clothing above his waist. Estonina did not report the incident until September 2022. Woolworths investigated, substantiated the complaint, and acknowledged a delay. Separately, it acknowledged underpaying Estonina during COVID isolation in 2022, with corrections made in September 2022 and January 2023.
The workplace relationship deteriorated from late 2022. Between September 2022 and March 2023, Estonina sent approximately 90 emails to Woolworths' People Advisory team and other individuals, many repeating the same concerns. On 30 March 2023, senior management handed Estonina a letter directing him to raise concerns through his line manager first and cease correspondence on resolved matters, warning that non-compliance could result in termination. One day later he sent...
Log In Forgot Account? Rappler's Post 31m ยท #FactCheck#FactsFirstPH rappler.comFACT CHECK: Pangilinan not suspended from Senate after clash with Padilla All reactions: 52 6 comments 6 shares Like ...