How a roster app update with no direct conversation led to a Fair Work ruling
He showed up for his shift, just not at the right time. The Fair Work Commission upheld his dismissal on 23 March 2026.
Matthew Kahler had been a casual Disability and Mental Health Support Worker at Aspire Community Solutions Pty Ltd since 30 August 2024. On 22 October 2025, he arrived to care for a high-needs participant at his regular shift time, unaware that the schedule had been updated in the Shiftcare rostering app around 13 October 2025. He had not checked the app.
It was not the first time. On 2 April 2025, Kahler failed to attend a rostered shift with a high-needs participant and recorded case notes in Shiftcare for a shift he did not work. Aspire issued a formal written warning on 8 April 2025. On 29 April 2025, he missed a transport shift with a participant, again failing to check his roster, and that participant's mother requested a different carer. Aspire did not issue a formal warning for that incident, deeming it lower risk. A performance review on 30 April 2025 set a clear objective: check the roster weekly.
When Kahler arrived at the wrong time on 22 October 2025, Aspire had to arrange urgent cover for the participant at a cost to the business. Commissioner Crawford found that operating within the National Disability Insurance Scheme meant "it is critical for Aspire to be confident that care workers will attend their rostered shifts, particularly for participants with high care...
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