A Melbourne-based flight attendant is embroiled in a workplace dispute that could result in her dismissal after being accused of gossiping about colleagues and swearing in front of passengers. Virgin Australia cabin manager Alissa Souza-Connell has been hit with a series of allegations, including accessing private information, making derogatory comments about coworkers, and secretly recording a conversation.
Allegations and Denials
The airline claims she made 'profane and derogatory statements in the presence of crew and guests,' behavior it says could breach its Code of Conduct, Workplace Behaviour Policy, and her employment contract. However, Ms Souza-Connell, who has worked for the airline since 2021, denies the allegations.
Virgin accused Ms Souza-Connell of telling one colleague about 'certain confidential matters' involving another staff member, showing a colleague images of another employee's roster on her personal phone, and airing her frustrations about a coworker. She is also alleged to have failed to follow lawful and reasonable directions, including missing a scheduled phone meeting with Virgin's Crew Culture leader, and openly discussing one of the allegations against her.
Legal Battle and Fair Work Ruling
As the allegations mounted, the dispute escalated, with Ms Souza-Connell demanding access to witness statements and interview notes ahead of a looming disciplinary hearing. Virgin argued it was not required to hand over the material, prompting Ms Souza-Connell to take the matter to the Fair Work Commission.
The Flight Attendants' Association of Australia, representing Ms Souza-Connell, argued she could not properly respond to the allegations without seeing the evidence against her. In a win for the cabin manager, Fair Work Commission Deputy President Amber Millhouse ruled last week that Virgin must provide the documents before the hearing proceeds.
At the heart of the dispute were procedural fairness clauses in Virgin's 2023 Cabin Crew enterprise agreement. Under the agreement, employees facing disciplinary action must be given full details of the allegations in writing, along with any evidence such as documents, records, or footage, so they can properly respond. Ms Souza-Connell argued she had not been given all the material relied on by the airline.
Deputy President Millhouse agreed, stating: 'The fact that Ms Souza-Connell has already provided an initial response is beside the point. These matters do not negate the production requirements arising from a plain reading of the Agreement.' She also found it was 'not possible' to identify which documents Virgin Australia relied on to formulate the allegations.
Ms Souza-Connell remains employed with Virgin Australia as the dispute continues. The Daily Mail has contacted the airline and the union for comment.
