Former WCT surfer Shane Bevan was fired from his job as a baggage handler at Oceania Aviation Services twenty months ago after his employer accused him of participating in Queensland’s Coolum Classic surf contest while on “sick leave with a bad back” according to a story in The Australian.

But now, after two reviews by Australia’s Industrial Relations Commission it has been determined that hat Bevan should not have been fired.

The IRC initially upheld his sacking but, on appeal, a commission full bench last week supported Mr Bevan’s claim that the termination was harsh, unjust and unreasonable and ordered the company to pay compensation.

Nice work, Shane.

[Link: The Australian]