Teacher who 3D-printed gun to show students not unfairly dismissed, Fair Work finds
The Canberra high school teacher of more than two decades was terminated and investigated last year after she printed a 3D firearm and brought it to school.
A long-serving Canberra teacher, nearing 22 years of service, has lost her unfair dismissal claim after bringing a 3D-printed handgun replica to work. The Fair Work Commission accepted there was no malice in her actions, but found the school's response was neither harsh nor disproportionate. The teacher had argued for a written warning, additional training, or a transfer to a different school.
She had printed a replica firearm using plans likely downloaded from the internet, aiming to demonstrate 3D-printing technology to her students. Upon arrival at school, the executive teacher disapproved and instructed her to return the replica to her bag. The teacher proudly showed the executive teacher what she had made, leading to a demonstration of pulling the gun's trigger.
Despite discussions about technology-related learning in the days leading up to the incident, the school terminated her employment. The teacher sought an unfair dismissal claim, alleging her dismissal was disproportionate given the isolated nature of the incident in her long career. However, the Fair Work Commissioner upheld the school's decision, stating that the teacher's actions demonstrated a lack of judgment and remorse.
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