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Professor Wins Job Back After Sending Boxer Pic
23 Mar
Summary
- Professor reinstated after being sacked for sending romantic texts and a photo.
- University's delay in addressing misconduct led to dismissal being deemed unreasonable.
- The professor returns to his $226,000 position following the ruling.
A University of Melbourne professor, Stephan Matthai, has been reinstated to his $226,000 role after being terminated in December 2024. The dismissal followed inappropriate romantic messages and a photo sent to a female PhD student in 2017. The Fair Work Commission found the university's decision to fire Matthai, seven years after the conduct, was unreasonable.
Deputy President Alan Colman highlighted the university's prolonged delay in addressing the misconduct. Although acknowledging the serious nature of the professor's actions, particularly given the power imbalance, the commission also considered his previously clean professional record and the passage of time. The university's appeal against this decision was ultimately rejected.
The exchanges, which occurred in 2017, began professionally but escalated to personal communication. Matthai sent texts discussing his breakup and a picture of himself in boxer shorts, deliberately avoiding university channels. While deemed inappropriate, the tribunal did not consider these grounds for immediate dismissal at the time.
Concerns were first raised in 2018 by the student, who felt uncomfortable but did not file a formal complaint. A formal complaint was lodged in January 2024, leading to an investigation. Matthai denied any abuse, attributing his actions to struggling with a personal breakup.
