AFL Side Essendon Coach Hird Could Launch Contempt Of Court Action Against Club

Australian Football League side Essendon coach James Hird could threaten the club with a contempt of court action "should the Bombers use his Federal Court appeal as the basis for his sacking," according to Jon Pierik of THE AGE. Hird's future as coach "could be decided as early as Monday when the Essendon board meets to debate whether he should be dumped for appealing against the decision." Hird's advice "is that he could launch a contempt of court action against the club, on the premise that it is wrong to threaten to sack an employee for pursuing his or her legal rights." A lawyer not involved in the case believes a contempt of court action would be "unusual but a serious allegation." Another lawyer suggested Hird could be better off pursuing an "adverse action" under the Fair Work Act. Hird "is contracted for another two years" and reportedly could receive a pay-out of more than A$1.25M ($1M) if he was sacked (THE AGE, 10/5).