Mr VIP ‘in dark about losing job’

A LONG-TIME VIP bar host who is suing his strip club employer for alleged unfair dismissal claims he was unaware exactly when his job ended.

Hollywood Showgirls streetside promotions manager Jimmy Ozturk, who has lodged a case with the Fair Work Commission, made the claim at a recent hearing into whether his application was lodged in time to proceed.

He is alleging unfair dismissal late last year after a row with Hollywood Showgirls owner Craig Duffy about the status of a patron’s $500 tip to Mr Ozturk, 69.

Mr Ozturk, who worked there for 11 years, was suspended in October last year before being paid out his final employee entitlements on November 15.

Asked by the commissioner for a date of termination from his job, Mr Ozturk said: “He just kept saying to me ‘I’ll let you know’.”

Commissioner: “Your submissions are you don’t have a date where you say you were informed you were terminated?”

Mr Ozturk: “No. I haven’t. Yes, that is right.”

In Mr Ozturk’s legal submissions to the FWC, Mr Duffy allegedly texted him at one point during the row: “It’s been a long time but retiring gracefully is the best option.”

The FWC has given a green light for Mr Ozturk’s unfair dismissal hearing to proceed, ruling he had made his application in time despite confusion around exactly when he finished up.

Mr Duffy has not responded to Bulletin requests for comment and yesterday Mr Ozturk referred questions to lawyer Jason Murakami.

Mr Murakami said he was expecting a two-day hearing within the next eight weeks.