Ride-share company ordered to reinstate driver after tribunal review

A workplace tribunal has ordered a ride-share company to reinstate a Melbourne driver and pay lost wages covering almost one year after reviewing sixteen misconduct allegations. The allegations included speeding, phone use while driving, harsh braking, and passenger reports of inappropriate comments. Several complaints were marked resolved by the company at the time they were received.

Tribunal findings on evidence handling The tribunal determined the company did not contact complainants for further details and relied on repeated complaint patterns rather than direct testimony. Trip data and map estimates were reviewed but found insufficient to confirm the driving allegations.

The driver was also required to contest deactivation through an automated chatbot. The tribunal described the chatbot responses as nonsensical and noted the driver was the primary income earner for the household.

Company response and prior context A company spokeswoman stated the firm was disappointed by the outcome and expressed concern that customer accounts received limited weight. She noted many complaints predated new appeal rules introduced last February and said the company had raised its concerns with the government.

The company has previously stated it avoids seeking additional information from passengers to prevent potential retraumatization, citing expert advice. The driver began meal deliveries for the company in 2020 and passenger trips in 2022 before deactivation in May 2025.