Upsetting news out of Australia: a gay, former janitor has gone public with allegations that his co-workers harassed him about his sexuality. He further claims his employer fired him after reporting the abuse.
James “Jimi” Fuller, 29, landed a job as a cleaner for the city of Ipswich last year. In a new interview with The Queensland Times, Fuller says that after coming out to his co-workers, his job turned into a campaign of harassment over his sexuality. At one point, a co-worker referred to him as a “dirty f*g” as well.
Not long after, Fuller claims, his co-workers refused to work with him. Another co-worker also accidentally sent a text message to Fuller as part of a group chat reading “Let’s get Jimi the sack;” in other words, that his fellow janitors were plotting to get him fired.
Fuller then filed a complaint with his supervisors, which was co-sponsored by another employee that overheard the homophobic slur.
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“They did a code of conduct training and bullying and harassment training after I put that complaint in,” Fuller said. “I just want what’s right and that’s to come and do my job and not be bullied. I was victimized and had things thrown at me.”
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Fuller’s employer responded with a letter dated March 23 that labeled his claims “unsubstantiated,” and, Fuller says, pressured him to withdraw the complaint altogether. He refused.
Not long after he received the letter, Fuller says his bosses reprimanded him for discovering a muddy footprint and fingerprints on a glass door at the Ipswich Art Gallery. Fuller had cleaned the area just hours earlier and notes that the gallery was open to the public at the time.
Then, just two weeks after he received the letter pressuring him to withdraw his claims of harassment, Fuller was fired. He continues to deny any wrongdoing.
“I do my job to the highest standard,” he told The Times. “I’ve got about 20 [references] from all the buildings that I cleaned which stated what a great cleaner I am. I said, you’re dismissing me over a fingerprint that was on a glass door … three-and-a-half hours after the building opened to the public.”
Fuller has now filed a suit with the Australian Fair Work Commission in hopes of getting his old job back. The city of Ipswitch, for its part, has declined to comment on the matter.
“While council always seeks to be transparent, this is an ongoing legal matter,” a city spokesperson said. “It would not be appropriate for council to make comment at this stage.”
The case remains ongoing.
charette8596
That’s totally rotten. I hope he gets his job back, gets compensated for his losses and expenses, and those responsible get the boot.
Fahd
Too bad the article didn’t say more about sexual harassment law in Australia – I hope he’s entitled to seek punitive damages in addition to being made whole. I hope he gets a big payout that helps him pursue his dreams, whatever they might be. If I were he, after his suit is successful, I’d tell them to take their job and shove it, I’m proud of him for standing up for himself and what is right.
Cam
Now that he’s gone public they’ll no doubt backtrack and claim that his firing was a mistake.
GayEGO
Now this is a shock! I was in Sydney in 1997 and never experienced this. Ipswich must be a rural, religious town!
Reth
Kind… of? It’s on the fringe of Brisbane but it’s not thaaaat far out. It is, however, well known for being the original seat of Australia’s possibly most outspokenly racist senator, Pauline Hanson.
That said, as someone who grew up in Australia and was coming out in 1997, I’m floored you didn’t experience homophobia there. Even today, it’s absolutely not uncommon. The last time I was in Sydney was admittedly in 2006, but I had a beer bottle thrown at my head from a passing vehicle yelling “f***ot”. This is also the city where 30 or so gay men were thrown of cliffs right around when you’re describing while the police did nothing. Same time, different city and the Snowtown murders were happening, several of the victims there explicitly targeted because they were gay (or thought to be).
vovoka4686
The nearest orgy is nearby, we are waiting only for you planetdating.design/gay-orgy
BGreen1963
Our enemies hide under rocks. Trump told them it was okay to slither out and use their hate to cause chaos and lawlessness. This is a dangerous time for all of us. As much as I hate to say it, the Nazi’s and KKK are resurfacing and firmly in control of the GQP. We all need to be on our toes and watching our backs and our family, friends, brothers and sisters and our allies backs. Be careful when alone, especially when isolated or outside. Know where the exits are and who is around you. Be vigilant, be safe.