{
  "id": 14187479,
  "title": "Man supposed to be on WFH in Sydney was in S'pore instead, gets fired but wins unfair dismissal case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/man-supposed-to-be-on-wfh-in-sydney-was-in-spore-instead-gets-fired",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-13T11:38:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/10/australia-currency-trader-allegedly-wfh-spore-fired/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Charles Graham, a Sydney-based currency trader, was fired by his employer HIFX Australia, also known as Xe, after he was found to be in Singapore instead of working from home. Graham won an unfair dismissal case on October 7, 2025, but was not compensated or reinstated. The Fair Work Commission ruled that his dismissal was unreasonable. In September 2025, Graham had requested to work in Singapore for a year, but his request was rejected due to the company lacking a licence to operate in Singapore and his role being based in Sydney. After the rejection, Graham worked from home while claiming he had an eye injury. He then took annual leave and went on holiday, after which he was expected back at work in November 2025. When Graham logged into work from Singapore, his manager discovered that he was not at his Sydney office as required. The company accused Graham of breaching company policy, and he defended himself by stating that his partner had fallen ill with a bacterial infection while they were on holiday, causing him to delay returning to Australia. Graham argued that he was unable to inform his manager about rescheduling his flight outside of business hours and that he prioritized dealing with a high-value client's concerns and numerous emails and calls upon his return. The company rejected his explanation, citing that he had not provided screenshots of his flight, medical evidence, or proof of his partner's inability to travel. The company also pointed to previous incidents where Graham claimed to be ill or occupied with household chores when late for work. The Fair Work Commission's commissioner, Alana Matheson, ruled that the dismissal process was unfair due to the company's lack of proper consideration of Graham's response. Despite winning the case, Graham was not awarded any compensation as his misconduct contributed to the company's decision to fire him. He was also entitled to receive four weeks' notice, which was paid.",
  "summary": "The man reportedly received about a month's worth back pay without compensation or reinstatement.",
  "key_points": [
    "Charles Graham, Sydney-based currency trader, fired by HIFX Australia for being in Singapore.",
    "Fair Work Commission ruled Graham's dismissal unreasonable, awarding him four weeks' notice.",
    "Graham won unfair dismissal case on October 7, 2025, but no compensation or reinstatement."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}