Players association releases Folau statement

Geez, compare the absolute professionalism of the RUPA and the terrible handling of this incident by Rugby Australia. The last line of the RUPA statement says it ALL> RUPA does not endorse the views of Mr.Folau. That's right, you can disagree with an employee or a member of your union, but still defend their right to practise their religion. Can we get RUPA to take over from the terrible Rugby Australia from now on?

Will be interesting to see if RA is able to follow through after the hearing what will occur. Folau can’t take action under the Fair Work Act.

They’ll do what they have to. They may not go above and beyond like they would for others.

Think it's RUPA's job to support players and what they are paid for. You don't get to pick and choose when you are in their position. Per there website: "It was established to directly promote and safeguard the interests of its members, namely the professional Rugby players of Australia, as well as to help members prepare to transition into the next phase of their life post-Rugby through actively encouraging them to pursue their interests and future careers away from the game. Currently, 100% of Australia’s full time professional players are members. RUPA’s operations can be divided into two key service arms. These are: - Industrial representation and player advocace" - Player education and wellbeing" If RUPA fails to do their job adequately - what will there response to the people they report to - namely professional players in Australia e.g. Kervei or AAA - both of whom supported Folau's tweet? I mean if they give poor/incorrect advice/poor representation and it could be proven they would simply be lining up to be sued themselves.

Rupa just doing what they are obligated to do. Much like a Union rep.

Certainly doesn’t say that. Just says it’s his right to a code or conduct hearing prior to being terminated.

RUPA will support Folau. But will they support him? RUPA aren’t stupid. They know Folau’s actions threaten the livelihood of RA, which threatens the livelihood of their members.

Here is some relevant interesting case law where the dismissed person is assumed to take some responsibility even though they hadn’t been specifically warned off just a year ago: “ It never ceases to amaze me that employees often plead a lack of training of self-evident unacceptable conduct, such as bullying or harassment, to justify, in some bizarre way, their behaviour. This is particularly so given the extensive media and community focus on the effects of threatening or harassment behaviour in life generally and the workplace specifically. In my view, an employee does not need training to know that you do not accuse a subordinate of damaging your vehicle, without a skeric of evidence. Further, an employee does not need training to know that you do not scare or threaten a young subordinate by using expressions such as ‘Watch out’ and ‘you don’t know how furious John is’. No employee needs training to know that it is wrong, offensive and inappropriate to Facebook friends to accuse a subordinate of malicious damage, without any evidence and refer to that person as a ‘little f***er’ (knowing that your Facebook friends will know who it is referring to). To then ‘like’ a reply message of the type Mr Macris’s posted exacerbated the applicant’s inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour. I continue to be baffled by employees who use social media to adversely comment on other employees or Management, when they would not dream of saying such things ‘face to face’. To do so, when it is common knowledge a Facebook post can be passed on to others, by anyone who receives it, is just incomprehensible and foolish in the extreme.” Natoli v Anglican Community Services T/A Anglicare (2018) FWC 2180 delivered 14 May 2018 per Sams DP

so they believe he has honoured his contract to this point?

It comes down to what is in his contract and how it is interpreted.

It appears he has already failed to honour his contract by posting what he did ...

Not exactly thunderous in its support.