Sydney trader wins unfair dismissal case after Xe fires him over Singapore work
Sydney currency trader Charles Graham won his unfair dismissal case against Xe but got no compensation.
The Fair Work Commission ruled on Wednesday that Charles Graham was unfairly dismissed by currency trader Xe (HIFX Australia) in December. Graham's manager asked an IT worker to track his laptop's IP address.
The IT worker found he was in Singapore when he should have been in the office. Graham also worked from Bali while telling his manager he was home because a plumber was visiting.
Xe's policy required prior approval for overseas work and three office days a week. Graham said he was on holiday when his partner became ill and he could not return home.
Commissioner Alana Matheson found the dismissal unreasonable because the company failed to raise the issues fully before firing him. She declined to award compensation, citing his misconduct and the four weeks he was paid in lieu of notice.
- currency trader
- Role
- HIFX Australia, trading as Xe
- Company
- December last year
- Dismissal date
- three times a week
- Office days required
Why it mattersThe case shows the tension between remote work flexibility and employer control. Graham won procedurally but lost financially.
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