A safety advisor's claim that Powerlink forced him out of his job has been dismissed after the Fair Work Commission found he resigned voluntarily - while an independent medical report that might have helped his return was still being prepared.
The worker started with Queensland Electricity Transmission Corporation Limited, the government-owned operator of Queensland's high-voltage transmission network known as Powerlink, in April 2023. His role as a safety advisor required regular attendance at construction and operational sites across the state.
On January 30, 2026, he suffered a workplace medical episode linked to a chronic health condition. He was hospitalised until February 4 and remained unfit for work for weeks afterward, also experiencing stress and anxiety. A series of medical certificates kept him off work until April 6.
By late March, he wanted to come back. Updated medical information dated April 1 indicated he could potentially start suitable duties from April 8 - but only with restrictions, including hybrid work arrangements. A full return to normal duties was still roughly four to six weeks away.
Powerlink considered the proposal and declined. The company's position, set out in submissions to the Commission, was that the safety advisor role required regular site attendance, hands-on stakeholder engagement, and the kind of ongoing team interaction that could not be effectively performed from home on a sustained basis.
Instead of closing the door, Powerlink...
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. From the show 2 min Ed Sheeran’s controversial US tour has sparked a wave of viral rumours...