Thank-you. I have an employee who has been accused of

Hello - thank-you. I have an employee who has been accused of misconduct. A father collecting his son from our child care centre alleges he witnessed the employee pulling his sons arm, yelling at him to stop. He was no more than 6 steps from the incident and the employee had her back to the dad - he did not make himself known to her. He made no complaint at the time. His partner the child;s mother called the centre, spoke to the accused told her to sush since it was the mothers opinion that the employee was being defensive. The parents want an apology and for the employee to have nothing to do with any of their children or her sisters children already in the care of the centre. The employee has had this type of complaint made against her before and has been removed from all contact from the family of that incident. The employee claims she never touched the child. Of the colleagues rostered on at the same time 1. was consoling a crying child and didn't witness the alleged incident the other was inside cleaning and therefore did not see the incident either. It is my greatest concern that the welfare of the children and the business are protected. Is this misconduct? If so. can I dismiss based on the accusation of misconduct even if it cannot be proved outside of what the father states?

Lawyer's Assistant: What state/territory are they in? It matters because laws vary by location.

Qld

Lawyer's Assistant: What steps have they taken so far?

The parent have met with the Centre Director to make their complaints formal and left with a statement. The employee has been reduced to 4hrs non contact for 2 weeks (which will have to be paid at full rostered hours!)

Lawyer's Assistant: Anything else you want the lawyer to know before I connect you?

The 2 other employees have been interviewed. I am concerned about what impact having an emoloyee with this reputation will have. Mother wants her fired. Father wants an apology