A Sydney Toni&Guy salon owner unfairly dismissed her former partner, Roberto Pozzato, while he was on mental-health leave, after their relationship and workplace conflict deteriorated. The Fair Work Commission found the dismissal procedurally unfair, highlighting the risks of personal disputes affecting employment decisions.

The former couple’s relationship ended in November 2023 but they continued living together until August 2024, when Mr Pozzato began seeing another salon stylist. Colleagues made competing allegations about bullying, intimidation and an alleged assault, which Mr Pozzato denied; he was formally warned in December after complaints from staff. The case reportedly turned on an email error involving an old Hotmail address and the way his dismissal was handled while he was absent from work.